Developing Infielders

Areas of Development Physical Aspects Leadership Aspects Mental Aspects

Baseball is …

A Game Failure …

Coached by Negative People …

Played in a Hostile Environment.

Mental Skills Ability to perform a skill correctly under intense pressure (“Mental Toughness”) “Bear down!”--“Concentrate!”--“Get it done!” Instead, give them something to go to! – Heads Up Baseball by Ken Ravizza – The Mental Game of Baseball by H.A. Dorfman

Distractions Previous error Struck out last AB Hitting/Fielding slump Umpire Newspaper/TV Opponent dugout Noisy crowd Idiot fan Coach is on me Will I start Field conditions Dad Fielding streak Bad exam Girlfriend Inconsistent pitcher

Turn Off the Noise

Live BR vs. Live Defense Drill Two teams Coach at home plate with a fungo Pitchers rotate quickly to mound from sideline Begin with runner on 1B, no outs Extra runners form line at home – wait 1 count Play 9 innings before switching Players communicate out and inning Coach controls pressure with score/fungo

Dumb It Down “See Ball, Hit Ball.”

Dumb It Down

H.A. Dorfman’s Mental Approach to Fielding Anticipation and Attentiveness Goals – Process-oriented/action/short-term Expectations – yours, not those of others Dedication – focused on the goals you set Responsibility – no bad hops, no excuses Attitude – is fielding important? (Manny vs. Ozzie) Confidence – state of mind formed by achievement of daily goals Preparation – practice the way you want to play

Defensive Goals Result Goals Fielding % =.985 Defensive MVP of League Set a record for assists/putouts Start every game at 3B Process/Action Goals Arrive for early work at least four times this week Get infielders together to work on rundowns today Start 20 DPs to my backhand side Be aware of my thought before each pitch in scrimmage

Visualization

Routine

Take Ownership of the Field

Development Stages Unconscious Incompetence – Player can't catch a cold and doesn't have a clue why. (Is there sufficient talent? Is the player “teachable”?) Conscious Incompetence – Player still can't catch a cold, but now knows what he is doing wrong. (You're teaching and he is learning.) Conscious Competence - Goes out to the infield telling himself what he has to do to succeed and then executes the plan. (Teaching and discipline lead to success.) Unconscious Competence – Player expects every pitch will be hit to him. See the ball; catch the ball. (If you're at this level and start thinking about how to do it, you're taking a step backward. If you're at this level coming out of high school, you might skip college and go to Class A.)

Leadership

Player Makeup

The Game Speeds Up RHH Running to 1BLHH Running to 1B Above Average4.2 Sec4.1 Sec. Average Below Average Well Below Average ML FB Velocity Well Above Average94+ Above Average92-93 Average89-91 Below Average87-88 Well Below Average86 and below

Infield Objectives Prepare mentally Play high level game of catch Consistently utilize efficient movement of upper and lower body

Pre-Contact Know the hitter Know the pitch Read location Read the swing

Ready Position

Triangle

Bad Triangles

Bad Triangle Narrow BaseDeep Hands

Use of the Glove

Hinge and Fold

4 Ways to Avoid a Car Accident Turn Right Turn Left Slow Down Speed Up

Gas and Brake Pedal

4 Places to Field a Ground Ball The Difference Maker

Abandon the Triangle

Forehand

Backhand

Ground Ball Drills Shorthops with partner – At him – Forehand – Backhand Pick-a-hop One-hand fungo Rounding

Grip

Hand Separation

Direction Throwing leg under Headlights Elbows up and on line Eyes level Stay in the legs

Direction

Posture and Arm Path

Release Angle

Extension

One-Knee Correct

One-Knee Incorrect

Shoulder Turn

Heel Over

DP Pivot Throwing

DP Feeds

Tag Plays

Relays

Other Drills Four Corner Catch Z Catch Man In the Middle 21

Rundowns

Final Thoughts Fielding Percentage – Jimmy Rollins 2008 (.985) – Cal Ripken 1990 (.996) Creating pressure in practice is key – work the mental game Frequency of training Infielders must be defensive leaders Fungos are “side toss” … make it live

Contact Information Chris Sperry (503) O (360) M