Cool-down and review

Setup

1. Gear packed away and balls in the bucket before starting, so nothing is lying in the base paths.
2. Players line up behind home plate, 2–3 m apart.
3. Pitchers and catchers have their pitch counts or innings noted before the review.

How it runs

1. Easy jog round the bases in a single line, well spaced: one lap jogging, a second lap walking.
2. Walk into a circle in the middle of the infield for stretches. Hold each one for 20–30 seconds, breathing slowly; no bouncing.
3. Throwing arm first: cross-body shoulder stretch, overhead triceps stretch, and forearm and wrist stretches (palm up, then palm down). Then both sides.
4. Legs: standing quad stretch, hamstring stretch with the heel on the ground, hip flexor in a half kneel, calf stretch against a partner or fence.
5. Review, sitting close in the circle: each player names one thing they did well today and one thing to work on. The coach adds two or three points and says what's coming next session.
6. Finish with water and a team call.

Coaching points

• Slow and easy: this brings the heart rate down, it isn't another fitness drill.
• Stretch to mild tension, never to pain.
• Spend extra time on the throwing shoulder and forearm, especially after pitching or a lot of throwing.
• Keep the review short and specific: “I stayed low on ground balls” beats “I was good.”
• Everyone speaks; let quieter players go early before the good answers are taken.
• Pitchers or players with a sore arm tell the coach now, not at the next session.

Common mistakes

• Racing round the bases.
• Bouncing in the stretches, or rushing through them in a few seconds.
• Skipping the throwing arm.
• A long coach talk while players lose interest.
• Only talking about mistakes.