Speed Throw Drill
March 2006
By: Coach Pete Sprenkle
Equipment: Balls and Gloves
Run this drill in any large open area (e.g. a field or a gym.) Begin by dividing the players into as many groups of two as possible. If an uneven number of players are present, use a coach to fill out the last group. One member of each group lines up on one side of the area, the second member opposite on the other side. Then space players and equal distance apart along each side of the area to allow room for safety. Each group should have a ball. On the word "GO", each team begins throwing the ball back and forth across the area. Each time a team completes one throw and one catch one point is counted. If the throw is bad, or the ball is not caught, that team's score goes to zero. Allow between thirty and sixty seconds for a round then call "STOP." Each team gives their score. The team with the highest score wins and each of those two players gets one point. Then rotate to the left so that all teams are different. As soon as all teams are set and have a ball, start another round, same above. Run as many rounds as the time allotted for the drill will allow. At the conclusion, the player (s) with the most points win.
THINGS TO EMPHASIZE: Some players have a tendency to throw softly so as not to make an error and have their team's score go to zero. It is important to stress that the objective is to throw as hard and as fast as possible and to develop good throwing skills, not simply get the best score in this drill. Concentrate on developing a good rhythm of moving to the ball to catch it and continuing on with the throwing motion. This is also a good time to watch your players and see who uses two hands and catches the ball properly. After running this contest for several practices, the best fielders will usually end up with the highest number of points.
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