Season Skills Matrix
Every skill we expect players to know by the end of the 2026–2027 season, broken down by position. Colors show how many practice plans have targeted each skill so far — click a skill to see which ones.
Coverage
Not yet covered1 practice plan2 practice plans3 practice plans5+ practice plans
Pitchers
Catchers
Set-Up – Not Tipping Pitch/LocationGiving SignsFraming Up with Flat Glove for StrikesFraming Side to SideFraming Up and DownPartner Framing off Machine / UmpireBlockingDropped 3rdPassed Ball / Play at the PlateForce at Home FootworkStealsPick OffsPitch OutIntentional WalkBunt Fielding / ThrowsPop-UpsReceiving Throws from OutfieldAvoid Obstruction / TagsCommunication – Balls in Play1st & 3rd CommunicationRun Downs / Pickle Play
Corners
Split Step Pre-PitchDepthsPress GloveworkFunnel GloveworkReading HopsAngles – Drop StepsSun BallsFence Foul BallsBloopersPop-Up CommunicationThrowing FundamentalsThrowing SlotsTwo Step ThrowsFour Step ThrowsOn-the-Run ThrowsFlips / DartsBelly Bad ThrowsForce Play FootworkDouble Play FeedsTagsTags – Avoid ObstructionLook Back RunnersThrow Behind Runners RoundingBack Pick 2B / 3B1st & 3rd ReadsCuts from OFCut / Cover CommunicationBunt Coverages / CallsRun Downs
Middles
Split Step Pre-PitchDepthsTwo Hand LanePress GloveworkReading HopsBackhandsAngles – Drop StepsSun BallsFence Foul BallsBloopersPop-Up CommunicationThrowing FundamentalsThrowing SlotsTwo Step ThrowsFour Step ThrowsOn-the-Run ThrowsFlips / DartsBelly Bad ThrowsForce Play FootworkDouble Play FeedsDouble Play TurnsTagsTags – Avoid ObstructionLook Back RunnersThrow Behind Runners RoundingBack Pick 2B / 3B1st & 3rd ReadsRelays from OFCut / Cover CommunicationBunt Coverages / CallsRun Downs
Outfielders
Pre-Pitch / First StepFirst Step FootworkDrop Step FootworkAnglesDepthsGet Behind Fly BallsPriority FieldingCommunicationSun 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 ThrowsThrowing on the RunThrowing Wet BallDo or Die FootworkSpeed Check – RunnersSplitting RunnersIntentional Overthrow RF–1BRF to 1B Throw / TimingFake Throws to a Base & Run It InBack-UpsSlap DefenseBloopers into Force PlaysPlaying the LineNo Doubles with Runner on 1Late Game Situations
Hitters
Get Behind the Ball EarlyTiming SwingNo StepSwing from ShoulderSweet Swing – High Velo DrillOutside HalfInside HalfTurn Barrel on Outside PitchStay Inside of Inside Pitch and LiftOppo on the GroundFly Ball / Ground Ball Bat ControlHit to Right SideHard Take2 Machine Take/SwingChange-UpCurveDropRiseScrewAdjustments in the BoxMove RunnersSacrifice Fly SwingPlus Count HittingLook to Pull, Take Away/ChangeHit Foul Balls – Spoil PitchesSac BuntPush BuntDrag BuntCover 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 3B1Breakdowns at 1B1Return in the Throwing LaneDiving BackRounding Bases1Picking up 3B CoachAvoid InterferenceDelay StealPitcher Out of the CircleChange-UpBalls in the DirtPassed Balls – Home vs. AwayStealGood Reads off the BatOF Depths / ArmsHalfway on Fly BallTagging UpTrail Runner ReadsDropped 3rd / Infield FlyPop-Up SlidesHook SlidesHead-First SlideSliding at Home3B Leads – 0, 1, and 2 OutsTwo Runners on the Same BaseDrawing Obstruction – Continue RunningHit and RunSqueeze1st and 3rd Plays2nd and 3rd PlaysBases-Loaded PlaysFake Bunt Steal
Full Standards Matrix (reference)
The original source document.Download the PDF.