Infield get the runner at 2nd if you can, if not take the sure out at 1st. Softball Skills: Bunt Defense Drill. A common mistake made by youth teams is mishandling the ball while getting it back to the middle of the infield after a play has ended. How to Coach Youth Baseball and Softball. Player fielding the ball does not* throw 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). (Note in the diagrams where the backing up players end up.). The suggestions below are Regular. *when running the drill on the first base side of the field. When they are not chasing down balls in the outfield, they should be sprinting in to back up throws to bases they develop this habit through drill work, not by us simply telling them. Put a runner at 1st base that needs to be advanced by the batter. Cover 2 Cover 2, as we know, requires two deep defenders and five underneath defenders. Roster. We dont criticize the Catcher when they make the wrong call. Get the ball to the middle of the infield. Are we teaching them what to do when the ball is not hit to them? The drill has the corner outfielders only backing up first or third. When the Third Baseman is backing up throws to third base, rarely will they be in the ideal spot when the throw is made. At the youth baseball level, this is most often a years long process. Players wont sprint (even though we just told them). We attach this phrase to the end of any drill or activity that involves making a play at a base or on a runner. The Pitcher is always the Cut-Relay player on plays to home plate. In most cases the Catcher doesnt have to move far from the plate to get the ball. I prefer Ready simply because it is more descriptive.Hey! The free safety usually dictates the defensive coverage adjustments. The information below is a reference guide. Base, Back up (it is assumed for the purpose of the drill, that the corner base is covered). To begin with, make sure your defenders know where their basic setup position should be on the field (see figure 7.2) when they're preparing for a hit. When straddling the base, young players rarely leave the base to make a sure play on offline throws.). This section of the website illustrates how to teach the small diamond game to kids using a logical step-by-step, building-block approach. There are four players in the drill. We first want to establish in our players minds that they are going to get every ball that is put into play. 0. First action is always Towards the Ball. There is no rule to determine when the second baseman takes over this responsibility. Practice Plans, Drills, Batting Practice Plans. It will take ongoing emphasis by the coaching staff to instill this habit. The other way to stop a runner is to get the ball to the base ahead of the runner. And worse case scenario they will keep the ball moving by running with it. Backing up distance is 25 beyond the basein line with the throw. Back-up - Instruct the Third Baseman to aggressively go after balls hit between them and the Shortstop or between them and the Pitcher. The players need to understand that the player with the ball needs to remain conscious of the runners. Human Kinetics print books are now distributed by Booktopia Publisher Services throughout Australia/NZ, delivered to you from their NSW warehouse. The mindset of the LF/RF: when THE ball is hit on your side of the infield, YOU will be fielding the ball. While the Catcher is moving back behind home plate to set up to receive the next pitch, this is the time for the coachng staff to adjust the positioning of any player in the field, if needed. Ideally, they learn to run to where the carom will land. 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. ], 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!. HINT: tell the player they can Watch the Play from the Base. Without the key, they dont get inside to access food, warmth and shelter. Ball or 2. Thrown balls getting past their intended target, specifically throws to bases, happens in almost every youth baseball game. Usually the shortstop is a better player than the second baseman and we want the more talented player handling the ball as much as possible. We breakdown the m Antonelli Softball SOFTBALL INFIELD INSTRUCTION, DRILLS, AND. This reduction in distance greatly increases the chances of executing a successful throw and catch play. I have always said that if you can keep your opponents from scoring you only need 1 run to win the game. Then they holler (loud enough to be heard in the outfield) the number of OUTS and the location of the RUNNERS. Primarily as observers of the pro game. The CF will need to cover 2nd. This may require us to take them with us to the correct spot and say, "See how far away you are right now? In this example we have a ball hit to the Second Baseman. However, if they are sprinting towards the correct spot, they will be on their way to retrieving an overthrown ball. This is how far back you need to be in order to back up the base.". Teaching Bunt Defense Many coaches make bunt defense too difcult and confusing by having ten different plays and having an intricate naming system. A few examples of the differences between the two games: The pitcher breaks for third base on balls hit to the left side of the infield - at this level we have runners on first and second a lot. You can get them individually by clicking the links below, or you can get them ALL as a member of our . Explain that they need to be far enough back in order to have time to react, and move to, the ball missed by the player at the base; while they need to be close enough to make an effective throw, if needed, when the base runner takes off to the next base. If you are looking to purchase online videos, online courses or to access previously purchased digital products please press continue. 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. Receiving Throws at Second Base and Third Base: Next to the base; only a few inches away, but not touching the base. It is important that our players understand that their base coverage and backing-up responsibilities continue throughout the play (regardless of their perception that nothing of importance is going on in their area of the field) and do not end until the ball is in the Pitchers hands and the Pitcher is standing next to the pitching rubber. Beginning with Coordinated Team Defense (Part 2), move through the rest of the section piece by piece at a pace your group can grasp the content. 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). Backing up players will not get directly in line with the direction of a possible throw. If we instill a sense of urgency in our players to fulfill their defensive responsibilities, in this situation the Third Baseman will often get to the ball quickly enough that the Base Runner does not attempt to advance to home plate. Near the end of each play, the base runners will recognize they have advanced as far as they can do so safely. However, the Right 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 first base. That doesnt matter, the CF gets going and does their best to get into position to back up the base. Before our kids are ready to learn their roll, they first must clearly understand that the foundation of their play is the need for them to move from their spot on the field when the ball is pitched to another spot on the field. The bunt play, the first out, coverage of first base on a hit or pickoff and the cut play are all key factors in the success of the defense. (watch: 0:25 - 0:42 of this video.). Kids need to be trained constantly of this sequence of prioritization. A stance we do not want to see with our fielders is hands hanging close to the ground near ankle level. Covering a base and receiving a throw is one of the most fundamental aspects of the game. The old saying in baseball is, Billy Bob, know what you are going to do with the ball if it is hit to you. In this case the second baseman then takes over the responsibility of covering second base. 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. Releasing this responsibility to the Catcher is simple to do if we subscribe to the Philosophy that Its the Players team, not My team. When the ball is hit to a spot where the Catcher is going to field the ball, the Pitcher moves towards the ball. On a ball hit to the First Baseman, the Second Baseman runs towards the ball and covers first base (or backs-up first base). Explain to the corner outfielders that they, in fact, have two baes to back up. 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! With only 3 downs to make 10 yards, the quarterback really has to be a playmaker. And they won't get it the first or second time we will have to teach it over and over. The Game Played on the Smaller Diamond is Different, Three Individual Responsibilities - Ball, Base, Back-up, Base is for the Runner, Ball is for the Defense, Getting the Ball in to The Pitcher (Middle of the Infield), Get the Ball to the Middle of the Infield, Middle Infielders Movement On Ball Hit To The Outfield, SS, 2b Are Not the Relay on Plays to Home, Pitcher Responsibilities - Ball Hit to The Infield, Corner Infielders - Ball Hit to Their Side of the Infield, Cut-Relay Player, on throws to home plate. Early on, most players, especially those age 10 and younger, will stand only a couple feet behind the base when backing up. 2. 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). How does a player determine which base to back up? The odds of making a throw, in this situation, and recording an out, are slim. The left fielder is positioned in the outfield on the left side of the field, closest to third base. We need for them to physically move to the correct distance beyond the base. Cover 1st base: first baseman (unless the bunt is harder to him, forcing him to field) Backup 1st base: second base (unless nobody is covering first, then he will fill in) Cover 2nd base: shortstop. 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 second base defender and shortstop should be about half way between the bases and just behind the base path. One example is a ball hit to the pitcher where the shortstop, thinking they may end up fielding the ball and moving aggressively to do so, is unable to cover second base. In the mean time we are developing in them the recognition that getting the ball closer to the middle of the infield the more control they and the defense has over the base runners. If an outfielder is not playing the ball, they are responsible to back up the base. I am going to GO GET the ball - React towards the ball. They can't move to the correct coverage position if they don't start in the correct place. Balls Hit to the Outfield: the First Baseman needs to be aware of the base runner and not interfere with them while moving into position at First Base. 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. Point out to players that it only takes a second to cover the base. priority #1 is to stop the ball from going past first base, so the runner has to stay at first base. Coaches that train the kids to back up bases properly will see a vast improvement in team defensive play. When you dig into the final section, End of the Play | Transition to the Next Batter, your club is reaching a point of taking full control of the game. She's not going to play soccer or gymnastics, but with some surgeries, she should be able to walk.'. The real success of defending bunts lies in the team performing the general principals of the bunt defense. When the defense limits the runners attempts to advance, they reduce the number of throws they have to make, and therefore reduce the number of chances to make a mistake at this level, the players are good at making mistakes :). Before an out can be recorded at a base, the defensive player must have the ball. When it is recognized that another player will field the Ball. When working with kids we want to structure our talk to be as literal as possible. Early in the teaching process our objective is to train our players to correctly respond to where the ball is hit off the bat. --> The rule for the Pitcher is "Always move towards the ball". Stop the ball - this begins by establishing in the minds of our players (and constantly reinforcing) that they want to go get the ball and get it as quickly as possible. Simple as this may seem, this is what the game is about. The rule for the players in the middle of the field is to Move Towards the Ball. --> The rule for the RIGHT FIELDER, because the ball is hit to an infielder in front of them, is to go for the ball. 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. They learn by doing, not by memorizing. The pitcher starts on the rubber and the catcher starts behind home plate. A team of 11-12 year olds, who master this content, will cut 2-3 runs off the scoreboard, in most games, compared to a team that is not trained in this system. This section does not address in-deph factors that might be considered in All-Stars play, or higher levels of the game (teen and above). In this cicumstance, another player (Shortstop or Pitcher) will cover third base. Center Fielder: 30 beyond the second base bag. We teach them to think, I am going to GO GET the ball the moment it comes off the bat. When players do this correctly, team defensive play as a whole runs much smoother. before cruising to a 13-3 (5 inn.) Please visit our new UK website to purchase Human Kinetics printed or eBooks. Some will be miles off the mark. Barely anything is going to happen while they are looking away from the ball. While that player is heading toward the pitching rubber, they are assessing the the situation on the field. Figure on it taking 4-5 practices of constant badgering until they Get it. Then, if they see the ball is not coming to their area of the field, they go to their second responsibility of Backing-up a base. 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. The same is true, in most instances, when the ball is hit to the center fielder. Four infielders and catcher (the catcher is not necessary if you only have a group of four kids). As a parent, what would you do if you heard this? The reality is, like a lot of things in this game, mistakes will be made (multiple times). Then point out to them that they are NOW in line with the direction of the throw to the base. We need to constantly preach, Ball First, Base Second. When those times come up that a player is not sure what to do with the ball, we teaching them to run (sprint) with the ball straight for the pitching rubber. Softball Oklahoma remains No. If they identify the need to make a throw, because they are so much closer to the center of the diamond, the distance of that throw is greatly reduced. A coach with limitd experience or understanding of modifying the positioning of players, need not worry. They are not missing out. After repeated exposure to a given situation, a player will begin to better anticipate what will happen. There will be the odd instances when the roles of the two players will be reversed. Creating this habit in our players takes effort and energy on our part; it is worth our effort. The LF & RF have two bases to back up. To give some perspective, we can call Home Plate Fourth Base and call the Catcher the Fourth Baseman. During any of these situations, the shortstop runs toward the ball as well. At the youth level of play the positioning of the player in relationship to the base, when receiving a throw, is different than at higher levels of play. Usually its the corner base; sometimes they are needed to back up throws to second 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. In this case, the second-base defender continues on to first base and covers the base (see figure 7.3). As the players develop the Ball, Base, Back-up concept, the First Baseman can be confident that another player will cover first base. While we would like to get an out every time, the reality is it is not going to happen. Most kids just dont grasp this concept. Double plays are rarely turned. We are teaching our players to always anticipate that another play needs to be made. Point out to them that quite often throws do not come straight to the base. Playing the fence - If the ball is hit towards the fence. * The Catcher is the only player that can see all the action on the field. When all bases are covered the drill repetition is over, Players return to their positions and the coach rolls the ball to a different player/position, After a few repetitions, put the players at different positions. Solution: at the conclusion of the drill (players have gotten to where they think they are supposed to be), for each player who is not lined up with the direction of a throw to a base, roll a ball firmly towards, and past the base. Prospect, Ill./Prospect) collected six more hits on the . The players, especially outfielders, will learn they can run the ball in and deliver the ball to a teammate by handing it to them or flipping it a short distance, underhand. Adjusting infielders a few feet to their left or right based on the tendency of a batter to pull the ball or hit the ball to the opposite field. Howden is headed to New Orleans after the Saints used the 146th-overall . The defenses below are standard bunt defenses, nothing revolutionary. Some attempts to play the ball will take the Third Baseman (and their momentum) far from the base. Discover everything you need to know about Bastion of the Vilnius Defensive Wall (Vilniaus Gynybines Sienos Basteja), Vilnius including history, facts, how to get there and the best time to visit. Positioning varies based on the level of play, game situation, and the pitchers and batters strengths and tendancies (if known). "And then . This forces the player to move far away from their base making it clear to the other infielders that it is not covered. We also want to keep in mind that a player we identify has having solid physical skills for the position may not also have the vocal strength and/or personality to be so vocal. This is a less common occurance in the game played on the small diamond. When moving the ball to a teammate, the options are to hand the ball off or make a short underhand toss. They see the base is covered, so go to their next responsibility of backing-up the base. Until they arrive at the base where they are needed, it is their only focus. The magnet principle is a basic concept that can be used to help young players learn defensive coverage. Positioning for play involving kids ages 9 and under. In such a case, the pitcher doesnt have the Ball, so they follow the fundamental rule: Ball, Base, Back-up they cover a Base (home plate - 4th Base). They have to move some distance to cover a base or back-up a base; they learn that Baseball/Softball requires every player in the field to move when the ball comes off the bat, they have to move some distance, and have to move fast. They need to be sure to go behind the base runner when crossing the base line. We want them to see that they can get to the corner base as easy as they can get to Second Base. Immediately after making a play at a base or tagging a runner, we want our player to turn towards the middle of the infield, in a Power Position, while Moving Their Feet, so they are prepared to make a throw. There is one ball that needs to be fielded, and three bases needing to be backed up. Theright fielder should take an angle to about 20 - 30 feet behind 1st base and near the foul line to cut off any errant throws. --> The rule for the CF and LF is that because they are not playing the ball they are backing up a base. How Much Moderate-Intensity Physical Activity Is Enough. At the 12u level of play they are needed to cover both a corner base and second base, depending on the circumstances of a given play. The center fielder should be directly behind second base and about 20 to 40 feet (6 to 12 m) from the base. Use the magnet principle for defensive coverage in softball This is an excerpt from Survival Guide for Coaching Youth Softball by Robert Benson & Tammy Benson. Center fielder: shortstop goes into the outfield towards the ball; the second baseman covers the base. It is not info for a coach to memorize. The above situations, and movement responsibilities, are flipped when the ball is hit to the Left Fielder and Third Baseman. This coverage will be up to one defensive back to make any adjustments needed against a good passing attack and support any players who lose in their man-to-man coverage. It is constructed using cones, throw down bases, ball caps, extra shirts that are laying around, a leaf, anything. This practice leads to a better experience for everyone at the park. Before the base has any useful function for a player on defense, they need to have the ball. The fact is, the bases are out there for the runners. Softball Defensive Coverage There are four infielders, the game is played with one ball and there are three bases. If the throw is accurate, slide the throwing-hand foot/toe back against the side of the base. (see: getting the ball in to the Pitcher), Underhand Toss ball is fielded 25 from its target, or closer. 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. Given this common occurrence, which significantly impacts the number of runs a team gives up, why dont we invest time to drill and train our players to back-up throws to bases? Infielders not fielding the ball move quickly to cover a base; turn and face the ball in a Ready Position. In most cases, there is not enough room behind home plate for the pitcher to get enough depth to properly back-up an over throw. The points in the 'Rules for Defensive Movement' section aboveare applied to these examples. 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). As Patty Gasso says and many coaches would agree, defense wins championships. We verbalize this phraseto our kids repeatedly throughout the teaching process. You can position the shortstop more up the middle closer to the base. Learning and execution is simplified when the pitcher is the cut-relay player on all plays to the plate. If we send the pitcher back there, the backstop ends up doing most of the backing-up. Corner Outfielders: Midway between the Corner Base and Second Base, 60 beyond the back edge of the infield. While moving out to a given position, the coach hollers, Ground ball to [position]!, Which ever side of the field the ball is going to, the LF/RF sprints straight towards the ball, stopping only when they come within a few feet of the coach. Fully managed IT solutions to enjoy your direct business development | Being an expert in the critical online systems and applications management, HyperOps . Procedure: Use the bat to draw the lines in front of the catcher to designate the areas of responsibility for the corners and the catcher for a bunt. 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. 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. Corner Infielders: 15 from the base, and a step behind, or a step in front of the baseline. There isnt a hard and fast rule to follow. The first-base defender can then return to first base and get ready to receive the throw. Back-up throws to a base or to an infielder, Play the Ball - the Cut-Relay Player, on throws to home plate. We want to stick this concept with our players immediately at the start of practices. The Shortstop moves towards the ball, which takes them to the second base bag. --> The rule for the CF and RF is that because they are not playing the ball they are backing up a base. (This will be covered in detail later in this section.). CF and the corner outfielder opposite the side of the field the ball is hit to, after first making an aggressive in the direction of the ball (coach), sprint to back up second base and the opposite corner base. When a ball is hit to the right side of the infield, the RF goes to get the ball. The softball first base positioning is important and will almost always determine the success of any play around the base. This more compact environment enable coaches to better communicate and teach. (The center fielder is still there to back-up the throw to second base.). 1. Please visit Booktopia to order your Human Kinetics print books. Proper movement, positioning and communication need to be understood and mastered to some extent before be add the throwing aspect to cement the execution of the activity. Eventually a player on the field should be making the call, preferably . If you are not playing the Ball,cover a Base (home plate). The existence of these factors results in some fundamental rules of how team defense is played on the large diamond to be executed differently on the small diamond. Before a pitch it is ok to remind players of the situation; "One out runner on first. A ball hit to the left side is the LFs ball. Outies - shooting 3!" Your directions will obviously differ depending on the age and development of your players. Players Backing-up are likely adjusting their position to maintain a straight line from the Ball to the base to where they are standing. 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. Once they are in motion it is easier for them to continue moving to the spot on the field where they are fulfilling their defensive responsibility. The section directly above addresses the actions of the Middle Infielders on a ball hit to centerfield, the Pitcher, or Catcher. Ball or Base - If First Baseman is not playing the Ball, they quickly move to cover the Base. The BAll Goes to the P or c, the ss covers the base and the 2b backs up. Redshirt freshman K.J. What is left out of this statement is the eight other players. The left fielder is part of the outfield and responsible for catching fly balls, line drives, and fielding ground balls that make it past the infield on the left side. They will be motivated to learn their responsibilities for throwing. 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). She begins with bunt and slap defense, moves on to . Over throws are a big part of the game at this level. Each infielder has only two possible responsibilities: 1. All you need is to drag and drop objects to depict another play and then save with the different name. In this situation the Third Baseman sprints towards the spot they are needed to Back-up a throw to the base.
softball defensive coverage
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