Drills to Improve Individual & Team Defense

with Steve Trimper,
Stetson University Head Coach;
coached Stetson to the 2018 NCAA DeLand Regional - the first in school history;
2018 Atlantic Sun regular season and tournament champions; 2018 ASUN Coach of the Year;
has won Coach of the Year honors in three different D-I conferences (Atlantic Sun, American East, MAAC);
former University of Maine head coach (11 years)

Errors lose games - it's as simple as that. Cutting down on errors should be near the top of your priority list as a coach.

In this video, Stetson University head coach Steve Trimper gives you drills that will help your players improve their individual defensive skills. He also provides team drills that let players put those skills to work in game-like situations. Every drill is explained in detail by Trimper before being shown on the diamond.

Throwing Progression

Throwing is the number one area that isn't practiced enough according to Coach Trimper. He gives you a set of seven drills that will ensure your players are ready to throw and catch the baseball.

The progression starts with the Wrist Drill to help players improve their spin rate, which is key to throwing the ball harder. It also includes a Long Toss drill that can be adapted daily to meet your players' needs. This progression will help your athletes build good mechanics while also developing arm strength.

Infield and Outfield Drills

10 infield and three outfield drills are given so that your players can build their individual skills. These drills will help your players develop what they need to execute at their individual positions. Infielders will learn how to funnel ground balls and make quick transitions, while outfielders will learn how to play the fence, handle difficult adjustments on fly balls, and get the ball in quickly to limit extra bases.

Team Drills

Trimper provides a set of drills that will help your team learn how to deal with common situations they will encounter throughout the season. These drills are practical for any level of play since they can be run with just one coach, making them easy to implement for your team. Situations covered include double plays, bunt plays, cutoffs, rundowns, and tag plays at the plate. Each drill moves in an easy-to-follow sequence so that you can use your practice time efficiently and keep your players moving.

Coach Trimper provides a glimpse into what has made his teams successful at every stop in his coaching career. These drills will help you teach your players the skills they need to execute defensively and be more competitive next season.

81 minutes. 2019.