1. Situation preparation. Spend time working on the chalk-board teaching your kids how to play the game. Give them written questions and test them. An outfielder should be taught to review all possible options when each hitter comes to the plate; know where the hitter likes to hit the ball, know where you should throw the ball because of the particular situation, and know where to go on your backups. Tell your kids that being a spectator is the kiss of death! Every play has a place for you to be.
2. Know the field and weather conditions. Before the game, every coach and player should take a look at the outfield and identify any hazards such as rough or bumpy ground, sprinkler heads, or water drains. Before each inning, both players and coaches should check the wind direction, angle of the sun and conditions of the grass. A player should never be caught off guard when a ball takes a bad hop, skips on wet grass, or gets caught in the sun.
3. Good signals eliminate surprises! Outfielders should be signaled by the middle infielder before each pitch. This will allow them to anticipate which direction the hitter is most likely to hit. They have to be sure not to overplay because some hitters go against the "norm."
4. Outfielders must know their pitcher and her tendencies. (pitches lot of high pitches, result in a lot of fly ball; low pitchers lead to grounders ect.. ) Most coaches never analyse with their own team about their own teams weaknesses. Experienced players can tell if the pitcher has her good stuff that day or not. Good players know how the catcher will call the game.
5. Every outfielder must talk with teammates. They need to let each other know how each is playing deep/short/ batter tendencies, ect.. This allows all to know what adjustments need to be made on gap shots. Always call the ball if you know you can make the catch. Obviously, this will help avoid any collisions, or mis-communications (I thought she had it). A good drill here is to hit fly balls between two outfielders and as they run toward each other, make them call out their position ect. Alternate who catches the ball each time so that you don't have a practice collision.
6. To make the play outfielders should have a good ready position. Outfielders should be in a relaxed position and step into every pitch. This will allow them to have their weight on the balls of their feet and ready to move in any direction. Getting a good jump is a must for any player. By following these simple steps, outfielders can become more prepared to make the routine plays as well as the spectacular ones. It is important to stress better preparation, which will lead to better performance. The drill here is to hit fly balls to your outfield using the pitcher to throw a ball to catcher while you hit a fly ball to different locations surrounding the outfielder.

Infield Back-Ups & Cut-Offs By Position

In playing infield positions, the back-ups and cut-offs listed following should be taught to each player individually and to the team as a whole so that all will know what to expect in give situations. More than one game has been lost while one player executes and another caught dum-founded stands and watches as the ball whistles by them or the runner advances on a mental coverage error.

Situational drills can be made up copying actual game experiences. Use of the blackboard is as critcal as actual on the field practice. Use this kind of training for rainy days when you can't get outside.

• Back up second base on throw from left field
• Back-up pitcher on throw from third base
• Cut-off any throw from center or right fields to home

• Back-up first base on throws from catcher, pitcher, or third
• Back-up second base when shortstop is covering second
• Back-up pitcher on throws from catcher with people on base
• Cut-off throws from right or center fields when ball is hit deep and relay ball to third, second, or home
• Cut-off throws from right and center to second base
• Back-up first base on ground balls hit to first or pitcher
• Covers first when first baseman covers bunts

• Back-up second base on throws from catchetr when second baseman is covering second
• Back-up third base on throws from catcher, pitcher
• Back-up pitcher on throws from catcher with people on base
• Back-up ground balls hit to third base or pitcher
• Cut-off any throws from left or center fields and relay to second, third, or home
• Cut-off throws from left or center fields to second base

• Back-up throws from right or center fields to second base
• Back-up throws from first base to pitcher
• Cut-off throws from left field to home

• Back up throws to first