The Buffet Drill is most effectively run as a Quick Defense drill and combines four movements of baseball athleticism into a fun, quick activity.  Run immediately after Throwing, and before Drills/Station Instruction, the Buffet Drill provides the opportunity to practice all the actions to be used during practice today.  The DC library contains many quick defense drills that lead up to this all-you-can-eat variety drill (see Ground Ball Quick Catch).

EXECUTION – Coach fills his pockets with baseballs, grabs a glove (optional, but recommended), and stands 5 yards beyond the blue warm up cone.  First athlete in line turns sideways with baseball in the glove (just in front of the red cone).  Following the progression outlined below, each athlete will fire through the buffet line 3-4 times before the team moves into Drills.

• Long toss – Starting at red cone, athlete takes two shuffles and “long toss” to coach (verbal – shuffle, shuffle, throw)
• Ground Ball – Run to white cone and get in ready position: Field GB, pop the feet, and fire a return throw to coach
• Quick Catch – Run to blue cone and get in ready position: Execute quick catch movement and return throw to coach
• Football pattern – After quick catch, the athlete is to flare off in appropriate direction for football-toss fly ball

DC KEYS

1. Modify – Coach up, coach down appropriately.  Remove/add actions.
2. Allow space for fly ball – Pick a direction for football patterns.  Three lines, three different directions (safety first)
3. Fill pockets – Stuff pockets with baseballs in case of overthrows or missed groundballs.

EQUIPMENT LIST