The suggestions below are Regular. Ten to Fifteen feet behind the baseline. some aspects of baseball play are learned through experience. Over throws are a big part of the game at this level. To be a solid fastpitch softball defensive team, your team must be well-drilled in fastpitch softball bunt coverage. Then, to lessen your frustrations during a game, walk through various situations and discuss how defenders should move to provide coverage for a hit. Douse was tied for second on the team in sacks with 3.5 and you could see him get better in each game, especially his performance against Virginia Tech, where he had 2.5 sacks and earned a high . The 2nd baseman needs to be trained to look for the 2nd play of the runner rounding 2nd base or trying for 3rd. We are teaching our players to always anticipate that another play needs to be made. The good news is, we can give the kids the reps they need in as little as 5-10 minutes every second or third practice. Regardless of level of play or the situation, each player on defense has one of three responsibilities: handle the BALL, cover a BASE, or BACK-Up a throw. Benefits of Research and Evidence-Based Practice in Exercise Science, Measurement and statistics in exercise science, Learn more about physical activity epidemiology, Gender and athletic administration and coaching, Carrying Out the Physically Active School Environment, Quarterback Challenges in Canadian Football, Introduction to Physical Literacy on the Move, Improve shoulder internal rotation range of motion for throwing athletes. The Pitcher moves a few feet towards second base when the ball is hit beyond the second base bag to center field. Coaching youth Baseball and Softball. Make sure you explain that only one person is allowed to pick up the ball; otherwise, you may have several players tackling each other to get to the ball. The most common (and most recognizable) out in the game is a force out at first base. Less congested . Softball Defensive Coverage We teach our players: Cover the base with your eyes. Redshirt freshman K.J. How to Coach Youth Baseball and Softball. The two outfielders, the ball is not hit to, are not playing the ball, so their responsibility is to back up a base. For the purpose of the drill (working on a MINI DIAMOND), we want the backing up approximately 15 beyond the base. We want to train our players that the moment TIME has been called, and/or the pitcher steps on the rubber, they immediately move their eyes from the ball to the Catcher (see below). It is critical to establish a mindset in our players that their defensive responsibilities do not end until the ball has arrived to the middle of the infield. Back-up throws to a base or to an infielder, Play the Ball - the Cut-Relay Player, on throws to home plate. 16x Big 12 Champions; Over 1,100 career victories. The Pitcher is always the Cut-Relay player on plays to home plate. We want them to turn their gaze away from the ball, put their eyes on the base and get to the base as fast as possible. At the youth baseball level, this is most often a years long process. The rule for the players in the middle of the field is to Move Towards the Ball. Solution: constant correcting until they get it right (effort and persistence on part of the coach, and the recognition that the concept its not as obvious to a kid as to an adult). SECOND - The second block of topics in Coordinated Team Defense (Part 1), especially the two drills: 1) Infield Base Coverage and 2) Backing-up, establishes the core concepts for getting all the kids in the field moving and contributing to team defensive play. Ball or Base - If First Baseman is not playing the Ball, they quickly move to cover the Base. On the side of the base the ball is coming from, NOT On the front side of the base (side the base runner is running towards), Squared up and facing the ball, in a Ready Position, Keep their eyes on the ball and not the runner (once a teammate has fielded the ball). PDF It's critical for the right fielder - SportsEngine This means that each player on the field takes an aggressive step towards the ball as it comes off the bat. The Buckeyes got the victory by a dominating 9-0 margin, and despite having a lot of offense, it was the pitching that was the story of the game. In some cases, in a situation where the ball is hit past the outfielders there is a relay to third base. 'She's not going to run:' Softball speedster, Division I commit defies If a runner is attempting to score, the outfielder throws the ball to the Pitcher, who is the Cut-Relay player on plays to home plate. Until this time, players covering a Base remain at the base. When a Catcher participates in this drill, they also have a responsibility to move. The first and third base defenders should be approximately 3 feet (9 m) in front of their base and 3 feet from the foul line. That is where a catcher catches pitches. Howden is headed to New Orleans after the Saints used the 146th-overall . Prospect, Ill./Prospect) collected six more hits on the . Looking at the runner delays the application of the tag, AND may cause the fielder to take their eyes off the ball and miss the throw. The remaining players are placed along the first base line and will rotate into the drill at the catching position. The fielder should always find the fence first and then work back towards the infield. (The center fielder is still there to back-up the throw to second base.). Are you in Canada? Center Fielder: 60 beyond the second base bag. In many instances the Third Baseman figures, since nothing is immediately happening at third base, there is no urgency to cover the base. RULES: P Always moves towards the ball | Ball. Figure on it taking 4-5 practices of constant badgering until they Get it. (see Pitcher below). We establish the mindset, Im going to GO GET the ball. We can establish this habit during the Scrimmage (see Practice Structure) portion of practice. Receiving Throws at Second Base and Third Base: Next to the base; only a few inches away, but not touching the base. Coach stands a few feet from where the pitching rubber would be, on the home plate side. Base. Then they holler (loud enough to be heard in the outfield) the number of OUTS and the location of the RUNNERS. Softball Strategies, Coverages, Signals & Charts - Softball Excellence Fastpitch Softball Bunt Coverage Proper positioning is in line with the direction the ball would be thrown to the base Ball------------> Base ------> Player Backing up. Explain to them that The runner is safe a lot. Bunt Coverage - Are You Sure Who Goes Where? - Softball Excellence We all have a vague understanding of burnout, but should we advise our kids to drop out, take a break, make some changes, or suck it up? More kids get to batt and there is more action in the early part of the season when many games get called early because of darkness. Learning and execution is simplified when the pitcher is the cut-relay player on all plays to the plate. At other times, you may see several defenders standing around the ball in what appears to be a board meeting to decide who will pick up the ball. The fact is, the bases are out there for the runners. The player primarily responsible for recognizing the runners have stopped attempting to advance is the Catcher, who is the lead communicator for the defense, since that is the one position that can see the entire field at all times. On a Tag Play, the fielder catches the ball and immediately moves their glove to the ground, in front of the side of the base the runner is headed. (Note in the diagrams where the backing up players end up.). Get the ball to the middle of the infield. It is likely that while they are on the move, they will figure out where to throw the ball, if needed. Softball Position Roles and Responsibilities - rookieroad.com Defensive Coverage For Pickoffs [ARTICLE] - Coaches Insider If the initial throw goes to second base, the ball is then thrown to first base, then to home plate. 10 from first base; this represents the base runner going to first base. This has been taught for many generations and is well intended .primarily for a Third Baseman being positioned to catch a rocket ground ball, hit straigh at them. Get the latest insights with regular newsletters, plus periodic product information and special insider offers. Teach them that in order to catch off-line throws, they are going to have to move away from the base (Move Feet to Catch). However, the Left Fielder does visually follow the ball and prepares for the possibility that the ball may be moved around the infield and they may be needed, later in the play, to back up a throw to second or third base. A ball hit to the left side is the LFs ball. Usually its the corner base; sometimes they are needed to back up throws to second base. The players need to understand that the player with the ball needs to remain conscious of the runners. If the base runners stop, we want the infielder to be within 10-15 from the outfielder, who delivers the ball using the Underhand Toss tecnique. Backing up players will not get directly in line with the direction of a possible throw. This movement requirement applies toallplayers, regardless of where the ball is hit Example, third baseman on a ball hit to right field: The third baseman takes an aggressive step towards right field. Place a an object (ball bucket, etc.) Some will be miles off the mark. However, the shortstop will hit second base before getting to the ball, so she needs to stop at second and take responsibility for that base. My reasoning is that a softball infield is so truncated as compared to a baseball field, that 3 players should be able to cover almost any bunt. The underhand toss is used a lot more often. Baseball Diagram - Basic Bunt Coverage - Runner at 2nd The First and Third Basemen have one base they are responsible for; the Shortstop and Second Basemen have two bases they are responsible for; one to their Left and one to their Right. HyperOps | LinkedIn This is a pressure play on the defense, but with a fair amount of practice should be able to make the play at home on a fairly routine basis. We coaches are not going to have players this age playing the game perfectly. As long as the bases are covered by a teammate, it is ok for a position player to carry the ball to the middle of the infield until the pitcher arrives and can be handed the ball. Center Fielder: 30 beyond the second base bag. balls requiring the fielder to move quickly from their starting spot. The definition for 'end of the play' is when the base runner(s) have stopped running hard and attempting to advance to another base. After the play has ended there is no reason to risk making an overhand throw. Observing play during the weeks of the regular season provide a good education for even beginning and novice coaches. Their mindset is: I am going to GO GET the ball. Quickly ending each play keeps the game moving along quicker. I have always said that if you can keep your opponents from scoring you only need 1 run to win the game. Softball defensive signals are a tool that many teams are not familiar with or that teams think are too advanced to take advantage of. Bunt Defense with runner at 2B or 1st & 2B | Discuss Fastpitch Softball FIRST - Take a day or two to consume and digest: Foundations, The Base, and the first block of topics in Coordinated Team Defense (Part 1). In this case, the First Baseman progresses to the Back-up responsibilityall players follow the same progression of the Rule: 1) Ball, 2) Base, 3) Back-up. Defensive Coverage For Pickoffs [ARTICLE] - Coaches Insider This is why the pitching rubber is the destination for a player who is not sure of what to do with the ball. It is constructed using cones, throw down bases, ball caps, extra shirts that are laying around, a leaf, anything. The Catcher, squatting behind Home Plate, is not in their position. If the batted ball goes past the first-base defender while she is attempting to field it, the second-base defender will be in position to back up the first-base defender and to field the ball because she was already moving to the ball and she is slightly behind the first-base defender. The Shortstop moves towards the ball, which takes them to the second base bag. A stance we do not want to see with our fielders is hands hanging close to the ground near ankle level. Point out that the fence line on most fields is only 10-15 behind first and third base. If the Catcher does have to move a greater distance to get a loose ball, it becomes the responsibility of the pitcher to cover home plate. (NOTE: at the 12u level we do not teach players to straddle the base. *Later in the season, after the players have demonstrated they clearly understand their movement responsibilities, the drill can be modified. As a parent, what would you do if you heard this? In this case the second baseman then takes over the responsibility of covering second base. Also, in most drills, when we are working on other skills and game situations, by simply adding an extra player, we can incorporate the development of this important habit without eating up additional practice time. When moving the ball to a teammate, the options are to hand the ball off or make a short underhand toss. Examples of drills that can be run using a Mini Diamond include relays, backing-up and base coverage responsibilities, and first and third defense. The Shortstop moves towards the ball, which takes them to the second base bag. ], Once the Pitcher has control of the ball, is a few feet from the pitching rubber, and the runners are not attempting to advance to the next base, we want our Pitcher to raise their arms and holler in a loud voice in the direction of an umpire, TIME Please!. That command is followed by, Run it in! (meaning, NO overhand throws; get the ball to the middle of the infield asap and in the hands of the Pitcher). This article will discuss the standard scheme that works best for your base defense. [The movement responsibilities of the Pitcher are covered below.]. Older player (ages 10-12) often have vocal muscles developed enough for the outfield to hear them. Wherever the ball is hit, the defenders need to start moving to it, not to see who can get to it first, but to provide backup and assume supportive roles once the ball is picked up. There will be times however, when another player can get to the area around the pitching rubber easier, and quicker, than the pitcher. Before the base has any useful function for a player on defense, they need to have the ball. This defender should continue moving to the ball unless the first-base defender yells that she has it (meaning that the first-base defender will field the ball). Softball Defensive Signals - Softball Tutor Even at the 12 year old level the outfielder are not that far from the infield. This forces the corner infielders to really move when the ball is put into play (Ball, Base, Back-up). When giving this responsibility to the Catcher we do so with the understanding they will make some mistakes. Left Field. Making a wide turn and/or dancing around baiting a throw are not examples of attempting to advance. And going through multiple repetitions of the drills. When a ball is hit to the right side of the infield, the RF goes to get the ball. If the ball goes to a corner base they, players then throw the ball around the infield, base to base; each using proper Underhand Toss technique. Often at the youth level of baseball and softball, kids are so consumed by the play they just made that they forget that there might another runner trying to get to the next base. "And then . Players wont sprint (even though we just told them). The Center Fielder, on every potential throw to second base, is sprinting to get into position to back up the base. Middle Infielders: 20-25 from the base. Point out to players that it only takes a second to cover the base. --> The rule for the Pitcher is "Always move towards the ball". Pitcher respsonsibilities on a ball hit to center field or to the Catcher. The odds of making a throw, in this situation, and recording an out, are slim. The second-base defender moves to the ball with the intention of fielding it. Another common term used is Athletic position, which is perfectly fine. These runners are not that fast. We want to educate our players on these facts during our first practices, The base is for the runners, the ball is for the defense. Creating this habit in our players takes effort and energy on our part; it is worth our effort. Question: what percentage of balls in the 12u game are hit at laser speed, ankle high to the 2-foot space where the player is positioned? The visual is the first baseman catching the ball with their foot on the base standing in a stretch position. Ball or 2. Positioning varies based on the level of play, game situation, and the pitchers and batters strengths and tendancies (if known). The right fielder plays at a similar depth and should be between the second base and first base defenders. Bats awake late in game one to propel Knights to sweep at Concordia This final section is probably more than what is needed for kids 9 and under. The rule for infielders is Play the Ball, or Cover a Base. The LF & RF have two bases to back up. If a defender comes to a base before she gets to the ball, then her responsibility is to be on the base. THIRD - The Section, Managing the Ball, includes content that kids really need to understand, but is rarely taught. The 1st Rule for Defensive responsibilities is I am going to go get the ball. Playing quarterback in Canadian football definitely has its challenges. Note, however, that this positioning leaves the defense vulnerable to a right-handed pull hitter or a left-handed hitter who hits to the opposite field. Put a runner at 1st base that needs to be advanced by the batter. We need to practice this often. Former Gophers defensive backs Jordan Howden and Terell Smith were selected in the fifth round of the NFL Draft on Saturday. They want to throw the ball. When it is recognized that another player will field the Ball. Holler loudly to the defense, where to throw the ballor to Eat it and run the ball in to the Pitcher (if there is no play). Written by Cindy Bristow with over 35 years of softball coaching experience, Softball Strategies, Coverages, Signals & Charts gives you all the factors you should consider when deciding on your offensive strategy, from a hit and run to a squeeze play, it's all here in detail. One player goes for the ball; the other three back up a base (4 = 1 + 3). The primary point to take from these two diagrams is that on ground balls on a given side of the infield the outfielder on that side of the field DOES NOT immediately take off to back up a base. The Left Fielder and Right Fielder, in most cases, back up the corner base on their side of the field. If you are not playing the Ball,cover a Base (home plate). This section of the website illustrates how to teach the small diamond game to kids using a logical step-by-step, building-block approach. How does a player determine which base to back up? Soon they will be making quick and sound decisions for making throws. It is perfectly acceptable to carry the ball. Ball tossed to a teammate after carrying/running with the ball, many kids are unaware of, or do not think about, the Underhand Toss option. Defensive Game Situations - agsoftball.com Now that interpretation of glenohumeral joint ROM has been discussed, this section outlines specific techniques to increase IR ROM in the patient with shoulder dysfunction. While the runner will likely be safe, we want to prevent them from advancing to second base. Ignore the 'key' at the top. Back-up - Instruct the Third Baseman to aggressively go after balls hit between them and the Shortstop or between them and the Pitcher. While that player is heading toward the pitching rubber, they are assessing the the situation on the field. Softball Bunt Coverage - No Runners on Base With no runners on base, 1st, Pitcher, Catcher, and 3rd aregoing to crash the ball. The defense will make further adjustments once they see the offense line up. If the throw is a bit to one side of the base or the other, they slide their foot near the corner of the base on the side the ball is headed, then stretch with their glove foot towards the ball. Once you have your players training in how to call Time, talk to the umpires before each game and alert them of what your players will be doing. Positioning for play involving kids ages 9 and under. Aggressive Defensive Strategies - Softball -- Championship Productions Softball Bunt Defense Explained Antonelli Softball is the #1 online resource for softball instruction. They see the base is covered, so go to their next responsibility of backing-up the base. Infield Base Coverage Responsibilities - Explained. (At higher levels of play the common phrase is Look for the next play. Once out kids learn and follow the teaching in this section we eliminate many of the unforced errors that are common in the game played on the small diamond. In this strategy, the players pretend that the ball is a gigantic magnet and that they are all pieces of metal that are attracted to it. In order for you to ensure you're always in the best defensive coverage for the particular situation, you've got to constantly be watching everything! Outfielders and Pitcher develop awareness of, and habit of, executing their responsibility of backing up bases. 1 in D1Softball's top 25, Texas moves into top 5 Big 12 standings update: Oklahoma sweeps Baylor, Longhorns sweep Oklahoma State Oklahoma Sooners complete sweep of. Georgia Tech Defensive Tackle Akelo Stone Enters Transfer Portal While we would like to get an out every time, the reality is it is not going to happen. She begins with bunt and slap defense, moves on to . However this, and similar situations, lead to mistakes at all levels of play.