What types of baseball drills can be done when a field is not available?

When a field is unavailable, coaches can implement creative drills such as bunting competitions using cones, various base running drills, and throwing drills. These practices can be effectively conducted in alternative spaces like parking lots or backyards, emphasizing creativity and preparation.

Are there any specific activities or drills that should be avoided when practicing without a baseball field?

Yes, the page advises against certain activities for safety and practicality. Specifically, sliding and regular batting practice, even with soft-covered balls, are difficult and should be avoided when practicing in alternative locations like parking lots.

What essential equipment is recommended for conducting baseball practice in alternative locations like parking lots?

For practices without a field, it is recommended to have a few soft-covered balls available. Additionally, setting up drills like bunting competitions would require props such as cones to mark targets or boundaries.

What is the main takeaway for coaches facing field unavailability?

The main takeaway is to always be prepared by planning two types of practices: one for a field and one for when a field is not available. Coaches should not cancel practice due to field unavailability but instead, come prepared with alternative drills and necessary props.

Baseball Practice: Drills & Tips When No Field Is Available

How many times do we as coaches call for a practice and meet the team at the field, only to find one team practicing and two other teams waiting to practice?

Quick Answer

Baseball coaches can effectively conduct practice even when a field is unavailable by preparing alternative plans and utilizing hard surfaces like parking lots. This approach, advocated by Marty Schupak, founder of the Youth Sports Club, involves using soft-covered balls and focusing on drills such as bunting competitions, base running, and throwing. By being creative and prepared, coaches can avoid canceling practice and continue player development.

When I first started coaching, this dilemma always seemed to happen to me. I would feel sort of helpless, and once even took everyone to another field with my two coaches only to find the same situation there.

I made up my mind to be prepared and plan two practices. One for a field and one without a field. The biggest difference is having a few soft covered balls available and some planned drills for a hard service.

When there is no field available our practices are usually in a parking lot. There are certain things you can and cannot do. Obviously no sliding. Regular batting practice with even soft covered balls is difficult in a parking lot.

You can set up some great bunting competition games. We would divide the team in half, set up two cones, and each team goes through the batting order and sees how many can bunt between the cones.

The main idea is to be creative. You can have a lot of different base running drills and throwing drills. Some of my best practices have taken place in parking lots and backyards.

Don’t call off practice just because someone is using the field. Come prepared and have a few extra props.

Marty Schupak is an active member of the American Baseball Coaches Association. He founded the Youth Sports Club, which is devoted solely to the improvement of youth sports, and his instructional videos on youth baseball are recommended by the National Alliance of Youth Sports, the largest amateur coaching training organization in the country. Schupak has a Master’s Degree in Physical Education from Arizona State University and his youth baseball teams have won championships year after year.