Airplane Take Offs is a simple Early Baserunning drill to teach young players an athletic first step movement.  While categorized under the title of baserunning, Airplane Take Offs really is a basic speed and agility development movement.

EXECUTION – Run this drill at the end of the Warm Up segment, and conduct it inside of the warm up cones (red, white, blue).  As coach, stand five feet in front of two lines of athletes.  With arms extended straight out to simulate the wings of an airplane, instruct the athletes to take off themselves as an airplane would – low and gradually increasing in height.  Contrary to how a helicopter goes straight up, an airplane follows the runway making a steady ascent.  Use this visual to help the young athlete stay low and drive the arms and legs into a full sprint.

DC KEYS

1. Stay Low ‘n’ Go – First three steps are low, staying under the coach’s arms.
2. Plane vs Helicopter – Take off like a plane… NOT a helicopter.
3. Pump Arms Forward to Back – As compared to than side-to-side, across chest.

EQUIPMENT LIST