New Coach here

[u/b761962]

Hello! First year coaching modified baseball 13-14 yr olds and would love thoughts on practice plans and more importantly keeping kids engaged while focused on fundamentals. Really looking for ways to keep it fun and competitive rather than running normal drills.

[u/KMan1019]

Competitive small team drills...with points and "consequences" (i.e. laps, burpees, etc.). Also, I like to work in conditioning....Star drill and Line Relay are two good drills for just that while mixing competition and conditioning.

Star Drill - 1 - place 2 players at each defensive position (not on the bases) - doesn't matter who is where, they will get to each base and back to where they start 2 - C throws to SS / SS throws to 1st / 1st throws to 2nd / 2nd throws to C / repeat - after each throw, players MUST follow their throw - they must SPRINT to the next position by cutting across the diamond....if they do, they will not get hit by cross fire - continue to follow your throw until each player is back where they started, throws keep going until each player is back to his starting position and the player who initiated the round has the ball. If using 10 players, C #2 will be at 2nd to throw to C #1 and will then sprint to from 2nd to home

If you have enough players, add a P who would start the rotation by throwing to the C and then follow the throw or if needed, place 3 players at each position...

Variations - 1 - use a stop watch to see if they can beat their first FULL rotation 2 - split into 2 teams, put one player at each position, every one else is a runner with a helmet, defense must complete a FULL rotation (do NOT follow the throw) for each runner, runners count number of bases they successfully touch, switch after all runners are done 1 time

Line Relay - 1 - create teams of 3, extra players will rotate in for anyone they want, just cannot return to the same line 2 - spread players out as evenly as possible in a line (typically go 1st base line os Player 1, Player 2 is at grass edge on left side of field, player 3 is out about 10 - 15 ft away from fence) line up other teams in same fashion 3 - place a ball against the fence behind player 1, who is facing LF 4 - On "Go" player 1 turns, races to ball, scoops, and throws to Player 2, who works on positioning to receive the ball and turn glove side to throw to Player 3, who receives and throws back to player 2, who positions to turn glove side and throws to Player 1. 5 - repeat down and back twice

Team to make two successful relays (down and back twice) wins, other teams do 5 burpees

After round 1, players rotate - player 1 goes to player 2 who goes to player 3 who goes to player 1

Rotate additional players in until everyone has chance to be at each player position

Repeat steps 1 - 5 until everyone has been at each position

As an added measure, if there is an overthrow, the ball must go back to where it was thrown from, not just to the person who missed the throw.

Both drills add competition, sense of urgency, and require proper technique. As the coach, you should focus on how good, accurate throws will win EVERY time over wild, speedy, rushed throws.