Season Skills Matrix
Last updated Sep 17, 2026
Every skill we expect players to know by the end of the 2026–2027 season, broken down by position — plus a team-wide Intangibles column for classroom work: culture, being a good teammate, individual goals and mental performance. Colors show how many practice plans and Wednesday org workouts have targeted each skill so far — click a skill to see which ones.
Coverage
Not yet covered1 session2 sessions3 sessions5+ sessions
Pitchers
Catchers
Set-Up – Not Tipping Pitch/LocationGiving SignsFraming Up with Flat Glove for StrikesFraming Side to SideFraming Up and DownPartner Framing off Machine / UmpireBlocking1Dropped 3rdPassed Ball / Play at the PlateForce at Home Footwork2Steals4Pick Offs2Pitch OutIntentional WalkBunt Fielding / Throws3Pop-UpsReceiving Throws from Outfield4Avoid Obstruction / Tags2Communication – Balls in Play31st & 3rd Communication4Run Downs / Pickle Play1
Corners
Split Step Pre-Pitch1DepthsPress Glovework3Funnel Glovework1Reading Hops5Angles – Drop StepsSun BallsFence Foul BallsBloopersPop-Up Communication1Throwing Fundamentals4Throwing Slots1Two Step Throws3Four Step Throws3On-the-Run Throws1Flips / DartsBelly Bad ThrowsForce Play Footwork3Double Play Feeds3Tags5Tags – Avoid Obstruction1Look Back Runners3Throw Behind Runners RoundingBack Pick 2B / 3B41st & 3rd Reads4Cuts from OF3Cut / Cover Communication5Bunt Coverages / Calls5Run Downs1
Middles
Split Step Pre-Pitch1DepthsTwo Hand Lane1Press Glovework3Reading Hops5Backhands2Angles – Drop StepsSun BallsFence Foul BallsBloopersPop-Up Communication2Throwing Fundamentals4Throwing Slots1Two Step Throws3Four Step Throws3On-the-Run Throws1Flips / Darts3Belly Bad ThrowsForce Play Footwork3Double Play Feeds3Double Play Turns3Tags5Tags – Avoid Obstruction2Look Back Runners3Throw Behind Runners RoundingBack Pick 2B / 3B41st & 3rd Reads4Relays from OF4Cut / Cover Communication5Bunt Coverages / Calls5Run Downs1
Outfielders
Pre-Pitch / First Step2First Step Footwork2Drop Step Footwork2Angles3Depths1Get Behind Fly Balls3Priority FieldingCommunication4Sun BallsBatted Ball Side SpinGlove Side SpinsWeather / AltitudeFoul Territory / Fence BouncesPlay At / Off the WallWall Balls – CommunicationFeet First CatchesDiving Catches- WhenSafety Catch with Quality Throw2 Outs – Make the CatchLong One-Hop Throws3Throwing on the Run2Throwing Wet BallDo or Die Footwork2Speed Check – Runners1Splitting Runners1Intentional Overthrow RF–1BRF to 1B Throw / TimingFake Throws to a Base & Run It InBack-Ups1Slap DefenseBloopers into Force PlaysPlaying the LineNo Doubles with Runner on 1Late Game Situations
Hitters
Get Behind the Ball Early3Timing Swing3No Step2Swing from Shoulder3Sweet Swing – High Velo DrillOutside HalfInside Half2Turn Barrel on Outside PitchStay Inside of Inside Pitch and Lift2Oppo on the GroundFly Ball / Ground Ball Bat Control3Hit to Right Side1Hard Take2 Machine Take/SwingChange-UpCurve2DropRiseScrewAdjustments in the Box2Move RunnersSacrifice Fly SwingPlus Count HittingLook to Pull, Take Away/ChangeHit Foul Balls – Spoil PitchesSac Bunt3Push BuntDrag Bunt1Cover Swing / Fake BuntHit and RunSuicide SqueezeSaftey Squeeze
Slappers
Feet in the BoxWorking the CountFouling Off PitchesCover Swing2 Strikes – Stop at CrossoverSoft SlapHard SlapPower SlapChop SlapHit the HighwayWalking Sac BuntDrag BuntPush BuntReading DefenseSituational HittingMove Runners – Hit Right Side or BuntProtect Runner StealingHit and RunSlashFake BuntFake Bunt, BuntFake Bunt Slap
Base Running
Leads at 1B, 2B, and 3B2Breakdowns at 1B2Return in the Throwing Lane1Diving Back2Rounding Bases4Picking up 3B Coach3Avoid InterferenceDelay Steal1Pitcher Out of the CircleChange-Up1Balls in the Dirt1Passed Balls – Home vs. AwaySteal1Good Reads off the Bat3OF Depths / ArmsHalfway on Fly Ball2Tagging Up4Trail Runner Reads1Dropped 3rd / Infield FlyPop-Up SlidesHook SlidesHead-First SlideSliding at Home13B Leads – 0, 1, and 2 OutsTwo Runners on the Same BaseDrawing Obstruction – Continue RunningHit and RunSqueeze1st and 3rd Plays12nd and 3rd Plays1Bases-Loaded PlaysFake Bunt Steal
Intangibles
Team Culture & Standards1Being a Great Teammate1Mudita – Celebrate Teammates’ Wins1Player Roles & Team Buy-In1Team Goals & Season Vision1Goal Setting – Terminal, Enabling, ProcessOwn Your Development (Internal Locus of Control)Identify & Reframe Limiting BeliefsAssessment & Self-AnalysisDaily Journaling – Preflection & ReflectionTime Management – Own Your CalendarSelf-TalkFocus Cues & Attentional ShiftingImagery & VisualizationBreathworkPre-Performance RoutineReset Routine – Bounce Back from MistakesCompetitive PersonaCompete Under Pressure1
Full Standards Matrix (reference)
The original source document.Download the PDF.