Not a member yet?
Membership Expired?
Forgot your password?
Published: October 2009
Categories: Coaching Infield Defense Mental Game
Type: drill
Purpose: The Purpose of War drill is to practice a solid defense while under the pressure of conquering all fear. Infielders and outfielders are expected to dive for almost every hit ball or remain fearless (don’t pull head) on balls hit hard right at them. It is designed to create a team mentality of toughness and game-ready ‘GO TO WAR’ attitude. Players are asked to ‘prepare for battle’ before this drill begins by gath- ering batting gloves to dive in, sliding guards, knee pads, face paint etc. War drill is a very get dirty and tough drill.
Explanation: The War drill is Coaches versus Team, with a time limit of approximately one minute per player. So 15 players have 15 min- utes to have at least one Warrior left, and if all players died then the coaches win the war.
Coaches hit from home plate, and players spread out on the field. defenders can die many ways. The closest team member to a grounder on infield or outfield is required to make a diving attempt, even if out of reach! If no attempt is made, the closest warrior dies. If a bobble is made defensively, the defender has two seconds to dive on the ‘BOMB’ or softball covering with body and glove in order to ‘deactivate’ it. If done in time with urgency, this player does not die. If two players are near after two seconds are up, they both die. Any ‘softness’ rather than ‘toughness’ can kill a player.
If a player dies they go to the dead line. Here all players do extra workouts together like jumping jacks, burpes, pushups, situps, etc. The first person in line is always ready (with glove) to come back to life if a diving catch or stop is made, and these should be plenty. Also the dead line can help warriors in the field by yelling encouragement and reminding them to get up fast after plays if another hit ball is coming at them. Catchers are in full gear and catch for the coaches and are last to get ground ball short hops hit at them at home plate if all players have died and are in the dead line. Each perfect block or dive to side may bring a warrior to life.
Coaches are tricky, with hits such as bloopers and slow hit divers as well as hard hit ones. If a player looks tired several balls might be hit her way in a row especially if she is on the ground.This requires a player to get up fast.
You can add to the drill as you go, for example runners or throws. This War drill is a great drill that we have used for years to get kids moti- vated to play TOUGH. The kids as well as the coaches enjoy this drill. All will be tired after this one!