TEAM DEFENSE

This drill (and the OF Backing-up drill above) leads to a revelation for the kids. The outfielders and pitchers are sprinting to assist in Team Defensive Play on every ball hit to the infield.

Rarely is a youth level game played without an overthrow; it is not unusual for games played at lower levels to have upwards of 10 missed throws. When our outfielders and pitchers are trained to sprint to get into backing-up position, we change the entire dynamic of the game.

Also, when outfielders are in the habit of sprinting towards every ball hit in front of them in the infield, we eliminate base runners attempting to advance extra bases, which eliminates more throwing attempts and subsequent missed throws and overall chaos.

On a pop fly in the middle of the infield, the Pitcher can call off any other position by calling “I Got it!!”.  The Pitcher is the only position that would use this phrase. We give this authority (and phrase) to the Pitcher for two reasons:

1. At the youth level, the pitcher is often one of the best athletes on the field.  We assign them absolute authority over all positions.

2. When the Pitcher is in the area of a pop fly, it potentially creates a situation where three players are converging on the ball.  The phrase ‘I Got It’ gives the Pitcher a different statement than what is used by the other positions.  This insures that clear communication is maintained.

Additional positional combinations for this drill:

• LF Dominant over SS

• CF over RF

• 3b over C

• SS over 2b

• 2b over 1b

We use the same Subordinate (‘Mine’) and Dominant (‘Get Out!’) system as with Fly Ball Communication.  Reminder:  A player only calls ‘Mine’ or ‘Get Out!’ if they feel they can get to the ball.

In a Ground Ball situation, the player with their back to the base, or moving away from the base, is Subordinate (‘Mine’). The player facing the base, or moving towards the base, is Dominant (‘Get Out!’).

Examples:

Ball between the First Baseman and Pitcher: The First Baseman (with back to the base) is Subordinate and calls ‘Mine’; the Pitcher, who is facing the base, and running towards the base, hollers ‘Get Out!’, communicating they will field the ball.

Ball between the Third Baseman and Shortstop (force out situation at third base; 6-1 Play): The Third Baseman (with back to the base) is Subordinate and calls ‘Mine’; the Shortstop, who is facing the base, and running towards the base, hollers ‘Get Out!’, communicating they will field the ball.

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When a player fields a ball near a base and wants to run to the base and tag it without making a throw, they holler ‘Get Out!’, telling the player covering the base to get out of the way.

Infield Base Coverage Responsibilities - Explained

The rule for infielders is ‘Play the Ball, or Cover a Base’.  One infielder plays the ball.  The other three, who aren’t playing the ball, cover a base. 

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.  These two players, positioned in the middle of the field, follow this simple rule:  If the ball is hit to your Left and you aren’t fielding the ball, sprint to the base on your Left; If the ball is hit to your Right and you aren’t fielding the ball, sprint to the base on your Right.

The rule for the players in the middle of the field is to “Always Move Towards the Ball”

When a Catcher participates in this drill, they also have a responsibility to move.  When the ball is delivered to the infield the Catcher leaves the spot where they receive pitches, behind home plate, and moves to their ‘Position’, which is in front of home plate.

IMPORTANT NOTE: When delivering the ball to the first baseman or third baseman, only roll the ball about one third of the way toward the base.  This forces the player to move far away from their base making it clear to the other infielders that it is not covered.  When working on movement responsibilities this clear visual of an uncovered base helps the kids recognize where they are needed.

*Later in the season, after the players have demonstrated they clearly understand their movement responsibilities, the drill can be modified. The catcher calls out which base to throw the ball to.  Using proper Underhand Toss technique, the player fielding the ball throws the ball to the base.  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. If the initial throw goes to second base, the ball is then thrown to first base, then to home plate.

Our objective is to get kids as many reps (footwork) catching and throwing in a short period of time. 

Set up two ground ball groups, allowing for balls to be delivered and thrown, where nobody is in the path of throws & potential overthrows.  In most cases we want coaches rolling balls to players from 25’-30’ (Video Example; watch 3:42-4:37), though there are set ups where one, or both, coaches deliver the ball with a bat).

The kids in the ground ball group can split time between the two ground ball drills or spend the entire time at one spot. Kids spend half their time doing ground balls and half their time doing fly balls. A coach can modify the time and particular player(s) spend working on a given skill.

One outfield group working on fly balls tossed by the coach. Tossing is more accurate; it is a common practice at the professional level (Video example; watch 0:00-0:20). We eliminate flubbed hits from using a bat.   No ‘do overs’ minimizes waiting around; gets players more reps.

Below are three examples of infield configurations. From these ideas, a coach can come up with many other set-ups for this drill.

Important Note: Remind players that Fielding the ground ball or fly ball is only 50% of the skill work. We put equal emphasis on the player making a Quality Throw each time (regardless of how well they field the ball).

Mass Gb & Fb: 6-3, 3-6, Toss

Mass Gb & Fb: 5-4, 4-3, Toss