Bullpen Bandits coaching resources

Skills & Drills Library

Simple, purposeful drills that build strong fundamentals and keep every player involved.

Grip • Step • Point • Follow through

Throwing

1.1

Four-Seam Target Throws

Ages 7+5–10 minutes

Equipment: Baseballs, partners, cone targets
How it works: Place two cone gates behind each partner. Players make controlled four-seam throws through the gate.
Coaching points: Turn the front shoulder toward the target, step directly, and finish over the front leg.

1.2

Quick-Release Shuffle

Ages 9+5–10 minutes

Equipment: Baseballs, partners
How it works: Catch in an athletic position, replace the feet with one quick shuffle, and throw without extra steps.
Coaching points: Show the glove-side shoulder, keep the ball near the ear, and move with rhythm.

Ready • Move • Field • Finish

Fielding

2.1

Alligator Hands

Ages 6–95–10 minutes

Equipment: Ground balls or tennis balls
How it works: Roll easy ground balls. Players field out front and close the throwing hand over the ball like an alligator.
Coaching points: Feet wider than shoulders, bottom down, eyes behind the glove, and soft hands.

2.2

Cone Grounder Circuit

Ages 9+5–10 minutes

Equipment: Four cones, baseballs, fungo
How it works: Players move through forehand, routine, backhand, and slow-roller stations.
Coaching points: Beat the ball to the spot, field through the ball, and create momentum toward the target.

Balance • Load • Contact • Finish

Hitting

3.1

Tee Line Drives

All ages5–10 minutes

Equipment: Tee, net, balls, bat, helmet
How it works: Place a target in the middle of the net. Hit five controlled line drives before moving the tee.
Coaching points: Start balanced, keep the head still, and drive through the center of the ball.

3.2

Inside–Outside Tee

Ages 9+5–10 minutes

Equipment: Two tees, net, balls, bat, helmet
How it works: Set one ball inside and forward, the other outside and deeper. Alternate swings without changing the stance.
Coaching points: Pull the inside ball correctly and drive the outside ball to the opposite gap.

Present • Receive • Secure • Transfer

Catching

4.1

Tennis-Ball Reactions

Ages 7+5–10 minutes

Equipment: Tennis balls, partner
How it works: From eight feet away, toss balls slightly left, right, high, and low for quick glove reactions.
Coaching points: Quiet head, soft hands, and catch the ball in front of the body.

4.2

Block and Recover

Ages 10+5–10 minutes

Equipment: Catcher’s gear, tennis balls or safety balls
How it works: Coach tosses balls in the dirt. Catcher drops to block, locates the ball, and recovers into throwing position.
Coaching points: Lead with the glove, keep the chin tucked, angle the chest down, and recover with urgency.

Sprint • Read • Turn • Finish

Base Running

5.1

Run Through First

Ages 6+5–10 minutes

Equipment: First base, cones
How it works: Players sprint through first base and break down beyond the bag without turning toward second.
Coaching points: Hit the front of the bag, run in a straight line, and look to the coach after crossing.

5.2

Home-to-Second Turns

Ages 9+5–10 minutes

Equipment: Bases, cones, stopwatch
How it works: Players sprint from home, make an aggressive turn at first, and continue to second.
Coaching points: Touch the inside corner, lower the center of gravity, and avoid a wide banana turn.

Balance • Direction • Finish • Repeat

Pitching

6.1

Balance-Point Holds

Ages 9+5–10 minutes

Equipment: Baseballs, mound or flat ground
How it works: Lift to the balance point, hold for two seconds, then finish the delivery at controlled speed.
Coaching points: Head over the center, hands quiet, front hip toward the target, and stable landing.

6.2

Stride-Line Command

Ages 10+5–10 minutes

Equipment: Chalk line, baseballs, catcher or target
How it works: Draw a straight line from the pivot foot to the target. Deliver pitches while landing on or just beside the line.
Coaching points: Move directly to the plate, keep the shoulders level, and finish in a fielding position.

The Bullpen Bandits standard

Short lines. Clear instruction. Quality repetitions.

DemonstrateShow the skill once at normal speed and once slowly.

RepKeep players moving and give one coaching cue at a time.

CompeteAdd a target, score, or team challenge after technique improves.