Title
Two-team competitive game where hitters hit tennis balls with a racket while fielders work to return the ball to the pitcher, earning points for bases touched before the return.
Compilation
If this video stacks several distinct drills back-to-back, split it into individual, draggable drills — each with its own clip, steps, and tags.
Coach's take
Great for building: Accelerated defensive reactions, efficient ball transfer, and aggressive base-running instincts under pressure.
Builds toward Making game-speed defensive plays and taking extra bases at higher levels of competition.
What it is
Two teams split into batting and fielding squads on a diamond setup. Hitter uses a tennis racket to hit tennis balls served or self-tossed. Fielders play standard positions and must field the ball and relay it back to the pitcher. The hitter scores one point per base touched before the ball reaches the pitcher's glove. Defense records an out if they throw to first before the runner arrives or catch in the air. Play continues until the pitcher secures the ball.
What it practices
Fielding and throwing under game pressure, relay throws from outfield to infield to pitcher, backhand throws, first-step quickness and sprint angles in the outfield, infield communication and backup positioning, base-running reads and sprint mechanics.
Focuses on improving
Develops urgency and decision-making in fielding by creating a direct scoring consequence for slow returns to the pitcher. Builds communication and supporting throws across all positions through the relay-back mechanic.
How to run it
Play for 3-5 innings, or until one team reaches a predetermined score (e.g., 20 points), ensuring all players get multiple turns at bat.Setup
- 1Divide players into two teams: one offense (batting team), one defense (fielding team).
- 2Position defense in standard baseball positions on the field (infield and outfield).
- 3Offense lines up at home plate with a tennis racket and a bucket of tennis balls.
- 4Designate a player or coach at the pitcher's mound to receive defensive throws.
- 5Establish a scorekeeping method (e.g., whiteboard, coach tracking points).
Run the drill
- 1An offensive player hits a tennis ball with a tennis racket (coach soft-toss or self-toss).
- 2The hitter immediately becomes a runner, running aggressively to touch as many bases as possible.
- 3Defense fields the hit ball and quickly returns it to the designated pitcher.
- 4Play stops when the pitcher secures the ball in their glove.
- 5The runner scores 1 point for each base touched before the ball is secured by the pitcher.
- 6If the defense catches the ball in the air or makes a force out at first base before the runner reaches, the runner scores 0 points and is considered "out."
- 7If the runner touches home plate before the ball is secured, they score 4 points and continue running for additional points (e.g., around the bases again) until the ball is secured by the pitcher.
- 8Teams alternate hitting until an 'inning' (e.g., 3 outs or hitting through the entire batting order) is complete, then switch roles.
Coaching cues
- Talk! Talk! Talk!
- See the ball, catch the ball!
- Quick hands!
- Throw through the target!
- Back up the play!
- Run hard!
Common mistakes
- Defense not communicating who will take the ball.
- Slow exchanges and throws from fielders to the pitcher.
- Not backing up throws, allowing balls to roll past players.
- Runners jogging instead of sprinting aggressively.
- Pitcher not being alert and ready to receive the ball quickly.
Progressions
- Make the field larger or add more bases for runners to touch, increasing the distance and time for defensive returns.
- Require specific defensive throws (e.g., to a cutoff man, or to a base before throwing to the pitcher).
- Add a second runner from home on certain hits to increase defensive complexity and communication needs.
- To make it easier: Use a larger, softer ball, or allow fielders to roll the ball back to the pitcher for younger age groups.
Coach notes
transcript
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{
"start": 0.0,
"end": 2.72,
"text": "Is your team struggling to get the ball back to the infield fast?"
},
{
"start": 2.72,
"end": 5.44,
"text": "Here's a game that fixed it for me in a single practice."
},
{
"start": 5.44,
"end": 7.28,
"text": "It works on getting the ball back to the pitcher,"
},
{
"start": 7.28,
"end": 9.28,
"text": "backhand of throws, playing catch under pressure,"
},
{
"start": 9.28,
"end": 11.2,
"text": "base running, communication, and teamwork."
},
{
"start": 11.2,
"end": 13.28,
"text": "All at once and the kids love it."
},
{
"start": 13.28,
"end": 14.24,
"text": "Here's how it works."
},
{
"start": 14.24,
"end": 15.68,
"text": "You split into two teams,"
},
{
"start": 15.68,
"end": 17.44,
"text": "you put the defense out at their position,"
},
{
"start": 17.44,
"end": 19.2,
"text": "and you're going to hit through the entire order"
},
{
"start": 19.2,
"end": 21.12,
"text": "with a tennis racket and a tennis ball."
},
{
"start": 21.12,
"end": 22.88,
"text": "For every base the hitter touches"
},
{
"start": 22.88,
"end": 24.8,
"text": "before the ball gets back to the pitcher,"
},
{
"start": 24.8,
"end": 26.32,
"text": "they score one point."
},
{
"start": 26.32,
"end": 27.68,
"text": "So if the hitter gets the second"
},
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"end": 28.64,
"text": "and they're on their way to third"
},
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"start": 28.64,
"end": 30.08,
"text": "when the pitcher secures the ball,"
},
{
"start": 30.08,
"end": 31.2,
"text": "that's just two points."
},
{
"start": 31.2,
"end": 34.0,
"text": "Now, if the defense gets the ball to first"
},
{
"start": 34.0,
"end": 35.28,
"text": "before the runner gets there"
},
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"start": 35.28,
"end": 36.96,
"text": "or catches it in the air,"
},
{
"start": 36.96,
"end": 38.24,
"text": "that's zero points."
},
{
"start": 38.24,
"end": 40.56,
"text": "The hitter is out and the next kid is up."
},
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"end": 41.92,
"text": "But if the hitter scores"
},
{
"start": 41.92,
"end": 43.28,
"text": "and the ball still isn't back,"
},
{
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"end": 44.32,
"text": "they keep running."
},
{
"start": 44.32,
"end": 45.68,
"text": "Five points, six, seven, eight."
},
{
"start": 45.68,
"end": 47.12,
"text": "The play does not stop"
},
{
"start": 47.12,
"end": 49.28,
"text": "until the ball is in the pitcher's glove."
},
{
"start": 49.28,
"end": 50.64,
"text": "Watch what happens, guys."
},
{
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"end": 53.12,
"text": "Your outfielder starts sprinting all over the place."
},
{
"start": 53.12,
"end": 54.64,
"text": "Your infielders start talking."
},
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"end": 57.12,
"text": "Everyone starts backing up the return throw to the pitcher"
},
{
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"end": 58.88,
"text": "because one bobble and that hitter"
},
{
"start": 58.88,
"end": 60.24,
"text": "is moving around the bases."
},
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"end": 62.32,
"text": "We literally did this one time in one practice"
},
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"end": 63.92,
"text": "and we saw a massive difference"
},
{
"start": 63.92,
"end": 65.04,
"text": "during the next game."
},
{
"start": 65.04,
"end": 66.08,
"text": "Go ahead, give it a shot"
},
{
"start": 66.08,
"end": 66.96,
"text": "and let me know what you think"
},
{
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"end": 71.04,
"text": "and please follow for more."
}
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}