DEFENSIVE SITUATIONS TIPS & DRILLS
 

DRILLS

Defensive Situations Hitting and Defensive Rounds Drill
    Drill that works your hitters, baserunners, and defensive players in a game-like situation

SITUATIONS


Defensive Situations First and Third Rundown Situation
    Play that can catch the runner at first in a rundown when there are runners on first and third

Defensive Situations Runners on first and third Situation
    Play that prevents a third base runner from scoring

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


HITTING AND DEFENSIVE ROUNDS DRILL
Want a drill that works your hitters, baserunners, and defensive players in a game-like situation with maximum efficiency? "Rounds" accomplishes all of these things.

Align a defense on the field. A coach pitches, or better yet, a pitching machine. 3-4 players are the hitting/base running group. Three to Five rounds per group is ideal. A sample would be: Round 1 - runner on first hit and run. Round 2 - Runner on first sac bunt. Round 3 - Runner on second with 2 outs. Round 4 - Runners on first and second hit away. Round 5 - Runner on third squeeze. Hitters start with an 0-1 count always. This entire drill is done at GAME SPEED! Every pitch is a game-like situation. The hitting/base running group has tasks to accomplish on each pitch, and the defense must react accordingly to each hit ball and situation. >Drill Notes: The hitting/base running group follows the same order. If the round called for runner on first sac bunt, players 1 and 2 would be at first, 3 and 4 at the plate. After 3 bunts and 1 runs, 2 would be the next runner and 4 would be the next hitter. After the hitting/base running group finishes their rounds, they rotate into defense and a new group replaces them. You might have to play kids out of position once-in-awhile to make it work, but that's fine. Remember - make this as game-like as possible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FIRST AND THIRD RUNDOWN SITUATION
With runners on first and third there is always the possibility of the runner at first attempting to get caught in a rundown. This should be one of the easiest defensive plays in the game if run correctly.

Communication is key. The pitcher must be alerted as soon as the runner takes off towards second. The pitcher must keep his eye on the runner at third as he steps off the rubber. This action will make the runner on third commit to home or stay at third. If the runner at third commits to home the play is there, if not he turns directly to second base where the second baseman has sprinted to the line between first and second close to but not at the bag. The pitcher throws to the second baseman with no hesitation. This action makes the runner at third make a split-second decision whether to stay or go. It also gives the ball to a fielder who can see the entire play in front of him, both runners, instead of the pitcher having his back to the third base runner. The second baseman now need only tag the runner coming from first, or run him back to first while watching the runner at third.

This defensive scheme puts all the decision making on the runner at third, and forces him to make a split second decision to go or stay. However, this play relies heavily on communication and quick, fluid execution. There should be no hesitation on the part of the pitcher, its step-off looking at third making the runner commit, turn and throw to the second baseman.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RUNNERS ON FIRST AND THIRD SITUATION
I think some of the most important situational conditions occur when the offense has runners on first and third. In that situation, the defense has some options which it can defend their position. One such option is a play that I will discuss in some detail...and it may be familiar to a lot of coaches. For you new ones...you can have a slight advantage.

Situation: The other team has runners on first and third and you have less then two outs. The runner on first is attempting to steal second base...hence trying to draw a throw to that base from the catcher after the pitch is delivered in order for the runner at third to have a chance at scoring.

Play: Your catcher must relay the signal of which play is on to the rest of the infield...and the pitcher, or you can yell out a signal from the bench. You can designate what that may be. This particular play consists of the second baseman sprinting hard to the middle of the infield about 10 feet in front of the bag at second, while the short stop is covering. The catcher must throw through the second baseman to try to throw out the runner or the second baseman can cut the throw from the catcher if he thinks that the runner at third is going to break towards home. The key element is communication between the shortstop and the second baseman. The shortstop needs to know whether or not the throw is going to go through to him or be cut off by the second baseman. One way to create that communication is for the SS to yell cut if he thinks he can't get the stealing base runner or he can see the runner at third cheating. If the SS does not say anything, then the second baseman lets the throw go through. The communication here is crucial...the whole infield needs to know what it is. There are other ways that communication can be accomplished...this is just one method. All in all, the whole key is to prevent the runner from third to score. You may have to sacrifice a stolen base...and if you are lucky you may even get an out and not have the runner score...or get the runner at third in a run down.