If you read our article on planning better practices, you already saw the way that we usually closed out a great practice, with base races. If not, you should check out that article here if you are looking for some inspiration for your next practice.
Either way, I want to introduce you to a great opportunity to encourage kids to run hard around the base paths and to help you identify small ways that they can get faster and waste fewer steps at the same time. It was something that was shown to us by a fellow coach and it’s too good not to share.
Base Race Setup:
Start the base race by splitting your team into 2 even groups. Send one group to second base and one to home plate. If teams are uneven, promoting a sibling to base racing is always entertaining. Otherwise, you can just allow one player, of the team’s choosing, to run both first and last.
Prior to the players departing to their group’s starting line, at least the first time, share the instructions for a relay race on the base paths. Model hitting the inside corner of the bag for efficiency and give them any other notes you wish. Explain that the next runner cannot start until the runner ahead of them touches the base they started from.
Have players lined up a few steps off the base before they start running (younger players tend to creep closer with each player, so make sure you have someone keeping an eye on the lines while the race is going to avoid someone getting run over).
Then, one person from the pitcher’s mound counts down the start of the relay and the players are off to the races!
Enjoy the Benefits:
My absolute favorite part of this drill is the cheering. Each team should be so loud they are trying to drown out the other team. Have them clapping and yelling in support of whoever is running, even the slowest player on the team. This is the best part for you too coach. Take this last few minutes with the team to cheer as hard as they are for every player. “Dig, dig, dig” and “You’ve got this [insert player name]” and “keep going, run hard, head down” and “hit the corners” and anything else you can think of is fair game.
Your team will leave whatever they had left at the end of practice out on the field with this drill. It won’t disappoint.
If you try it, please remember to come back and tell us about the fun you had!
