Shetland 4

Keys to all practices:

• Make every player comfortable, introducing all players and allow them to get to know each other with some fun facts about themselves such as favorite food, tv show, etc.  
• Keep practice to 1 hour and make it fun.
• Use the links below for a couple good, fun drills but don’t overcomplicate things.

Drills:

1. Get different colored tennis balls to use for soft toss.  Have the player call out the color of the ball after it's tossed.  This will help the player concentrate and keep their eye on the ball.
2. Run the bases with the players yelling out what base is what.  At this age, we need to make sure they understand the very basic concepts of baseball.
3. Show them the positions.  Make it fun and give the kids a small piece of candy if they answer correctly and give each child a chance to answer.
4. Have 4 cones set up and 3-4 players behind each cone.  Roll the baseball out to them, have them throw it back and emphasize fielding the ball between their feet.
5. End with a relay race where the team is divided evenly.  Team 1 is at 2B and team 2 is at home plate.  A ball is given to each team used like a baton.  When the coach yells go, the first player in line runs around the bases then hands off the ball to the next person in line.  Whichever team finishes first wins.

Shetland 5

Keys to all practices:

• Make every player comfortable, introducing all players and allow them to get to know each other with some fun facts about themselves such as favorite food, tv show, etc. 
• Keep practice to 1 hour and make it fun. 
• Use the links below for a couple good, fun drills but don’t overcomplicate things.

Drills:

1. Get different colored tennis balls to use for soft toss.  Have the player call out the color of the ball after it's tossed.  This will help the player concentrate and keep their eye on the ball.
2. Run the bases with the players yelling out what base is what.  At this age, we need to make sure they remember what base is what - many haven't played in months if at all.
3. Show them the positions.  Make it fun and give the kids a small piece of candy if they answer correctly and give each child a chance to answer.
4. Throw the ball hard drill.  The players will like this and it gives them a chance to really throw it hard at the fence.  Divide up the players with no more than 4 per line and they each have a ball.  Whoever's turn it is, have them step up about 6-8 feet from the fence and throw the ball hard about halfway up the fence.  It's amazing to see that this really helps the kids throw with proper mechanics.  Once they do, you can provide positive reinforcement.
5. End with a relay race where the team is divided evenly. Team 1 is at 2B and team 2 is at home plate.  A ball is given to each team used like a baton.  When the coach yells go, the first player in line runs around the bases then hands off the ball to the next person in line.  Whichever team finishes first wins.

Shetland 6

Keys to all practices:

• Make every player comfortable, introducing all players and allow them to get to know each other with some fun facts about themselves such as favorite food, tv show, etc.  
• Keep practice to 1-1.5 hours and make it fun. 
• Use the links below for a couple good, fun drills but don’t overcomplicate things.

Drills:

1. Bean bag drill.  Have 4-5 bean bags and divide up the players into lines with no more than 4 players.  No gloves needed for this drill.  Have a coach toss the bag toward the players face so they turn their fingers up toward the sky to catch the bag.  We don't want players trying to catch the bag with their palm facing up - we want them turning their hand up, palm facing the coach and fingers pointing up.  This will help them catch better and defend themselves.
2. Tennis ball drill.  Bring a tennis racket and 4 tennis balls and divide up the players into lines with no more than 4 players.  Have a coach per line to help the kids stay organized and collect each tennis ball once they catch it.  The coach will throw the ball into the coach hitting the balls with a tennis racket otherwise balls will be flying all over the place.  This will help the kids learn to catch fly balls and not be afraid of the ball.
3. Infield drill.  2-3 players at each infield position - 3B, SS, 2B, 1B and P.  Hit ground balls with throws going to first.  Each player moves and rotates them to a new position after each player has fielded 3 ground balls.
4. Scrimmage game.  Kids love this and it's a little competitive.  Divide the team into two teams.  Team 1 hits and team 2 is in the field - 2 inning game. 
5. End with a relay race where the team is divided evenly. Team 1 is at 2B and team 2 is at home plate.  A ball is given to each team used like a baton.  When the coach yells go, the first player in line runs around the bases then hands off the ball to the next person in line.  Whichever team finishes first wins.