End of practice games

[scope]

Coaching 11 y.o. I like to end practice with a 10-15 minute game or competition of some sort. We will do relay throwing race, a pickle game that the kids like and a soft toss scrimmage. I am looking for more varieties of this sort of fun competitive things to end practice with. What do you use?

[Bolts-Baseball]

We would do this from time-to-time (especially after a tournament win, we'd do a whole fun-night), you might be able to take one of these to use... Kids loved it, though you must preface it by saying this is for FUN, and we can end it at any time... Kids can become ultra-competitive and petty against each other when there's little prizes involved... We would through in about $5 each from the parents, and go to a sports store, and get sweatbands, on-sale stuff from the discount bin, etc. We'd try to get stuff that was close to our team colors so the kids could use their winnings... Then we'd put each of the items in their own plain brown paper lunch bags, staple and number each one... then when a kid won he'd have to pick a number, and that would be his prize... Sometimes we'd throw some booby-prizes in there, like some girly-pink-things or , or an old cup, or a pair of socks... everyone got a kick out of that... lotsa-fun... Reminder: always get enough stuff to cover the entire team, we never let anyone walk away empty handed at the end of the night...

“(your team name here) IDOL”

Round 1:
- 7 swings each.
- Fair ball = 1 point, X-tra base hit = 2 points, HR = 4 points.

- 2 lowest point totals are eliminated…
- Playoff (if needed) = 5-pitches, highest point total advances. (If tie, 3-pitches)…

Round 2:
- Each batter starts with a 2-Ball, 1-Strike count.
- Rotate through remaining order.
- Batters continue hitting until they get 3-outs.
- Fair ball = 1 point, X-tra base hit = 2 points, HR = 4 points.

- Lowest point totals are eliminated (try to eliminate half the field leaving 3-4)…
- Playoff (if needed) = 5-pitches, highest point total advances. (If tie, 3-pitches)…

Round 3 (Final Round):
- Each batter gets 5 swings.
- Fair ball = 1 point, X-tra base hit = 2 points, HR = 4 points.
- In this round batters get extra swings for every point earned.
- Highest total points wins!


1) Back’em-up/Long-toss game (Winners get prizes).
2) Bunting Challenge – Hit cones for $$ whip-outs (cash is under cones), point zones – 3 rounds.
3) Hit the bucket from Centerfield – 3 rounds.
4) Timed baserunning challenge – Pop-up slide into 2nd, and home.

[skipper5]

Coaching 11 y.o. I like to end practice with a 10-15 minute game or competition of some sort. We will do relay throwing race, a pickle game that the kids like and a soft toss scrimmage. I am looking for more varieties of this sort of fun competitive things to end practice with. What do you use?

If you have 10-15 minutes, the soft-toss scrimmage gets my vote every time. (Not because I'm in love with soft-toss.) Guaranteed there will be some defensive plays made that have the kids leaving the field begging for more, and psyched about the game.

For reasons unknown, relay drills seem to always have the potential to blow-up, even with select players. I don't like to take the chance of ending practice on a down note.

[baseballdad]

Marty Schupak's 59 minute baseball practice drills DVD is an excellent source of these type of competitive drills.

[TG Coach]

LL has a book with 50 competitive practice games. It's available on their website.

[wogdoggy]

we'd end by setting up a target and have kids throw at it to stay alive..usually an l screen or similar set up at home..outfielders hit the screen stay..its kinda like a shoot out..

[Dakai]

Im with Skipper...we love the soft toss game.

[darivero]

One of the funniest relay we do is split the team in half, and send them to first and third, we then take of all their cleats and put them in a big pile at home plate…..blow the whistle and they then run a relay to home to find their shoes and run back to the bag and put them on, first team wins a prize. David

[ultimate shcwarts]

Can some one explane what the soft toss scrimmage is?

Thanks
Mike

[Dakai]

Split your team into 3 four man squads. Squad A is the outfield, B is the infield and C is at bat. The coach gives a soft toss to the batter and he smacks it. The teams ibn the field try to get the kid out. This continues until 3 are out. Then rotate OF to IF, IF to Batting, Batting to OF. The coach is the default catcher for plays at the plate.

[scope]

Last night we worked out in the batting cages for an hour and a half. I had two live hitting stations, a soft toss station and a T station. Four groups of kids, rotating through every ten-12 minutes worked real well, with very little down time and lots of reps for each player, but towards the end it was dragging a bit. For the last five minutes we used the two live hit cages, split into two teams and had a bunt competition. One point for a good bunt down either 1st base line or 3rd baseline, no points for anything else, a player gets three pitches then switch, first team to 20 wins. It really got them pumped up, running and yelling, exactly the way I like to end practice. As a side benefit, the parents love coming in to pick up their kids and have them out of breath and excited about the session. Oh, and the winning team gets Tootsie Roll pops.

I love the shoe relay. We are in a smallish gym tomorrow night, I think I will use that one. Thanks!

[DerekD]

Relay Race

Split team into two smaller teams. 1 team starts at home, the other at 2nd. Each team has a ball. On go, the run the bases. As they get back to their starting point, the pass the ball off. First team done wins less push ups or whatever.

The key is obviously to have them hit all bases and run the bases the right way. The only kink to this game is having the team starting 2nd having to hit home and turn towards 1B.

[baseballdad]

The kids and I love that 2nd and home plate baserunning relay. We don't use ball transfer and I think I'll add that. Sounds fun.

Be careful to tell your kids not to step on homeplate like the bags. I've had some real wipeouts from kids feet slipping on the plate making that turn.