CONDITIONING & CLOSING TEAM TALK
5 Minutes
Now it’s time to finish out the day. Up until this moment a lot has been expected of players with a fair amount of game-like seriousness. So at this point, you want to close out with an upbeat, fun conditioning activity which will raise the heart rate and give players the chance to “cut loose” a little. This does not need to be monotonous running of the outfield or mindless sprinting around the bases. Make it something in which players can engage and pull for one another.
Here’s a unique conditioning drill that will wear players out, and they will hardly realize it:
1. Pair up players and give each set of partners a baseball.
2. Each set of partners will stand side by side forming a line in the right field area of the outfield, and a coach will stand in center field.
3. Upon a signal, the first pair will run side by side from the right field area toward the coach in center field.
4. When partners are close enough, the player with the baseball will underhand toss the ball to the coach, and both partners will continue running to left field area.
5. When the coach catches the underhanded toss, the next pair in line in right field will start running toward center field.
6. When the coach receives the baseball from the second set of partners, he will then throw a long and high flyball to the first set of partners who are now in left field. Whoever underhand tossed the ball to the coach in center field will be the receiver in the left field, and he will attempt to catch the ball on the run and over their shoulder.
7. After the coach makes the long throw to left field, he will then have to turn around because the next pair will soon be passing by him in center to underhand toss him their baseball.
8. Pair by pair, all players will move from right field to left field. Once everyone has transitioned to left field, they will turn around and start the drill in the other direction back toward right field.
9. Partners will switch off receiving flyballs over their shoulders. Again, this drill is designed to be fun and one in which players look forward to challenging themselves to make great catches!
After about three minutes of any conditioning activity, assemble players together for a closing Team Talk (at home plate, pitcher’s mound, right field, etc.). At this time review the Thought of the Day, Offensive Focus, and Defensive Focus from the opening Team Talk. There is no need to call on players to recite the statements and issue consequences – just simply remind players of what was covered that day. This is also a good time to inform players of any pressing team concerns or upcoming events. Once everything is covered, clean up the equipment and call it a day!
It should be your hope that each player walks away from practice with the sense that he is a better baseball player for being at practice on that particular day. Make for certain that every practice organized includes teaching, drilling, and game simulation which allows the team the opportunity to transform themselves into champions!!
This concludes the Diamond Prep Baseball Practice System…if you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, feel free to share. Always looking for new ways to help coaches and players prepare to compete on the diamond!