We do have a bunch of plays and coach is relaying the play by saying a serie of numbers. We determine before the game, which # will be the good one (first #, second, or last #). And the possible plays are: 0-Catcher fake the throw and keep the ball 1- Throw hard to pitcher 2-Throw to 2nd with intention of taking a out 3-Throw directly to 3rd 4- Second baseman cutting the ball and 6-Short cuts the ball. It’s easy for us to give instruction and we can change the sequence in the middle of the game if needed.
Depending on the context of the game, I just love getting the easy out at 2B. Many times the runner on 3B is not expecting the full thrown down and doesn't break quickly, so we have gotten the tag at 2B and then a napping runner that now tries to head home.
Started the quick throw to an approaching SS when they stole 2nd years ago. Nailed the runner from 3rd a few times against coaches that thought they were top dog and thought I was a bad coach. Love the quick throw back to the pitcher waiting to catch a sleeping runner at 2nd since he's now used to the quick throw back to the pitcher, then fire to 2nd.
We have found that when first introducing this to youth players, you need to drill it over and over and over, otherwise it won't be effective (it will either be too slow to get the runner at home, or the throw ends up in left-center and BOTH runners score). Then you need to drill it some more. We set up the left side of the defense and multiple runners on both bases. Instead of starting from a pitched ball each rep, we have the P throw the pitch, C throws it to SS, who throws back to C. C receives it and makes a tag, then stands and throws to SS again. SS throws back to C, but then C throws to 3, assuming some teams will try to have the runner who stole 2 go straight to 3 on the throw home. Balls do go into LC, but then the OF's know what to do in a game. We might do this for 20-30 minutes rotating in different defensive players. Great for this scenario but also really good at building general skills and game awareness. It's like a modified version of the Star drill for IF.
Andy F my question to you & many other coaches is why wouldn’t you have C throw down to the bag at 2nd, meanwhile your SS covers 2 & your 2nd baseman is charging to cut off the throw if the runner at 3rd breaks for the plate. If runner breaks 2b cuts throw & fires it home for the tag, if runner at 3rd stays put 2b let’s throw go through to bag at 2nd to throw out the runner attempting to steal 2b. It’s 2nd baseman’s play because he/she can read the runner at 3rd.
This was one of the biggest changes I saw from 9u to 10u or 11u. Really increases the skills set you need from the catcher position and requires kids to be more aware of what's happening on the bases. Some teams default to the pump fake and just surrender 2nd because they don't want to risk the run (stealing is so common at that level). I've also seen a lot of teams that don't want to get into "pickle" situations because the kids don't have a good enough understanding of run downs. Would like to see you do a video on how to improve run downs.
I always have my 2nd basemen take the fake throw down in a 1st and 3rd situation. Like you said Coach the 2nd baseman literally has the best view of the runner at 3rd. We also run having the pitcher pick off at 1st attempting to bait the runner at 3rd to go home and 1st fires to home for the out. It usually works at our level. Obviously it’s a risky play, if the pitcher makes a lousy throw to 1st then a run scores and now we may have a runner back on 3rd. We drill it often and have yet to have any problems. I use a number system that’s specific to softball for these plays. Numbers 500 or below are one play, 505 or above are another. Pisses other coaches off when they hear numbers systems. I could care less, it allows my youth players to operate out of the norm and our success rate is above average and turning these plays.
Throwing to the shortstop is what I had my 11u team do. If 3rd base runner jumped off too much by believing we'd throw to 2nd, we got him in a pickle and got him out. If 3rd base runner stays put, we'd go for the 2nd base runner tag out.
I coach 12u baseball and I ran into this rule this past season. Please explain this to me. I have played baseball my whole life and it has always been my understanding that from the windup the pitcher has to go home but from this reading in the MLB rulebook. Please shed some light on this for me. The rule states straight out of the MLB rulebook, which I will copy to this post, that a pitcher out of the windup and do 3 things MLB 5.07 Pitching From the Windup Position, the pitcher may: (A) deliver the ball to the batter, or (B) step and throw to a base in an attempt to pick-off a runner, or (C) disengage the rubber (if he does he must drop his hand to his sides). In disengaging the rubber the pitcher must step off with his pivot foot and not his free foot first. He may not go into a set or stretch position-if he does it is a balk. The previous paragraph states 5.07 Pitching (a) Legal Pitching Delivery There are two legal pitching positions, the Windup Position and the Set Position, and either position may be used at any time. Pitchers shall take signs from the catcher while in contact with the pitcher’s plate. Rule 5.07(a) Comment: Pitchers may disengage the rubber after taking their signs but may not step quickly onto the rub- ber and pitch. This may be judged a quick pitch by the umpire. When the pitcher disengages the rubber, he must drop his hands to his sides. Pitchers will not be allowed to disengage the rubber after tak- ing each sign. The pitcher may not take a second step toward home plate with either foot or otherwise reset his pivot foot in his delivery of the pitch. If there is a runner, or runners, on base it is a balk under Rule 6.02(a); if the bases are unoccupied it is an illegal pitch under Rule 6.02(b). (1) The Windup Position The pitcher shall stand facing the batter, his pivot foot in con- tact with the pitcher’s plate and the other foot free. From this position any natural movement associated with his delivery of the ball to the batter commits him to the pitch without interrup- tion or alteration. He shall not raise either foot from the ground, except that in his actual delivery of the ball to the bat- ter, he may take one step backward, and one step forward with his free foot. When a pitcher holds the ball with both hands in front of his body, with his pivot foot in contact with the pitcher’s plate and his other foot free, he will be considered in the Windup Position. Rule 5.07(a)(1) Comment: In the Windup Position, a pitcher is permitted to have his “free” foot on the rubber, in front of the rubber, behind the rubber or off the side of the rubber. From what I read the pitcher can go to first base out of the windup as long as he steps in that direction. From what I see to be the problem is most pitchers step sideways in the direction of first to start their motion going home which would not leave them the ability to have a pick off to first since the 2 motions must be different. BUT if a pitcher was to step straight off the back of the rubber to start their motion home then they would have the ability to be able to step straight to first for a pick off. What are you thought please?
My son plays 10U and has a question. “If a player is running Home how should a pitcher back up the catcher to get the runner out? Seems like it is seconds for the catcher to find the ball and quickly throw to pitcher at or near home base. What can pitcher say to catcher to tell him where he is at? “ thank you
Good video. 0-1 outs, it was a common practice (10-12U) to sacrafice the runner on first in a pickle so the runner on 3rd could score. Defense don't overreact to the pickle protect the runner on 3B from scoring.
So true... 1 help coach a 10u team.... and this past week was the 1st tournament we played in that you could steal...we used the throw to 2nd.. and throw home....if this is done at the right moment depending how fast the kids are on base you can double them up.
if your pitcher pays no attention to the runner at first no matter how great a catcher you have the result is usually just playing catch with the shortstop or pitcher for no reason. With less than 2 outs the team on the bases will just take the advance to second to remove the double play and put 2 in scoring position. The pitcher has to control the running game. With no threat of a caught stealing at second the guy at third has no reason to be faked out.
ChrisG1 it’s most likely your release point. Without seeing you pitch it’d be hard to answer. But, anyone would need your age, left or right handed, which pitches you throw and are you a 12/6, 10/4 or 9/3 type thrower.....
Depends on the score and the outs Witha lead, play for the double play If it is close, late, protect the plate Right handed pitcher guards against the runner at third while the catcher and 1st baseman can harass. Left handed pitcher can hold the runner at first, Catcher harasses the runner at third and the 3rd baseman plays third like a cat,,,Keep that rat hiding at the bag
We do have a bunch of plays and coach is relaying the play by saying a serie of numbers. We determine before the game, which # will be the good one (first #, second, or last #). And the possible plays are: 0-Catcher fake the throw and keep the ball 1- Throw hard to pitcher 2-Throw to 2nd with intention of taking a out 3-Throw directly to 3rd 4- Second baseman cutting the ball and 6-Short cuts the ball. It’s easy for us to give instruction and we can change the sequence in the middle of the game if needed.
Depending on the context of the game, I just love getting the easy out at 2B. Many times the runner on 3B is not expecting the full thrown down and doesn't break quickly, so we have gotten the tag at 2B and then a napping runner that now tries to head home.
Started the quick throw to an approaching SS when they stole 2nd years ago. Nailed the runner from 3rd a few times against coaches that thought they were top dog and thought I was a bad coach. Love the quick throw back to the pitcher waiting to catch a sleeping runner at 2nd since he's now used to the quick throw back to the pitcher, then fire to 2nd.
We have found that when first introducing this to youth players, you need to drill it over and over and over, otherwise it won't be effective (it will either be too slow to get the runner at home, or the throw ends up in left-center and BOTH runners score). Then you need to drill it some more.
We set up the left side of the defense and multiple runners on both bases. Instead of starting from a pitched ball each rep, we have the P throw the pitch, C throws it to SS, who throws back to C. C receives it and makes a tag, then stands and throws to SS again. SS throws back to C, but then C throws to 3, assuming some teams will try to have the runner who stole 2 go straight to 3 on the throw home. Balls do go into LC, but then the OF's know what to do in a game.
We might do this for 20-30 minutes rotating in different defensive players. Great for this scenario but also really good at building general skills and game awareness. It's like a modified version of the Star drill for IF.
Andy F my question to you & many other coaches is why wouldn’t you have C throw down to the bag at 2nd, meanwhile your SS covers 2 & your 2nd baseman is charging to cut off the throw if the runner at 3rd breaks for the plate. If runner breaks 2b cuts throw & fires it home for the tag, if runner at 3rd stays put 2b let’s throw go through to bag at 2nd to throw out the runner attempting to steal 2b. It’s 2nd baseman’s play because he/she can read the runner at 3rd.
This was one of the biggest changes I saw from 9u to 10u or 11u. Really increases the skills set you need from the catcher position and requires kids to be more aware of what's happening on the bases. Some teams default to the pump fake and just surrender 2nd because they don't want to risk the run (stealing is so common at that level). I've also seen a lot of teams that don't want to get into "pickle" situations because the kids don't have a good enough understanding of run downs. Would like to see you do a video on how to improve run downs.
Niiiice. Pls do more situational vids!
We wait till pitcher was in set position and send the runner. Usually draw a balk and guy on 3rd scores without sacrafice
Good stuff been doing these for a year now. Son is on 11u going to Cooperstown next year OoWwwww!!!
I always have my 2nd basemen take the fake throw down in a 1st and 3rd situation. Like you said Coach the 2nd baseman literally has the best view of the runner at 3rd.
We also run having the pitcher pick off at 1st attempting to bait the runner at 3rd to go home and 1st fires to home for the out. It usually works at our level.
Obviously it’s a risky play, if the pitcher makes a lousy throw to 1st then a run scores and now we may have a runner back on 3rd.
We drill it often and have yet to have any problems. I use a number system that’s specific to softball for these plays. Numbers 500 or below are one play, 505 or above are another.
Pisses other coaches off when they hear numbers systems. I could care less, it allows my youth players to operate out of the norm and our success rate is above average and turning these plays.
Thanks from Texas.
Great content, im a follower now.
Throwing to the shortstop is what I had my 11u team do. If 3rd base runner jumped off too much by believing we'd throw to 2nd, we got him in a pickle and got him out. If 3rd base runner stays put, we'd go for the 2nd base runner tag out.
I coach 12u baseball and I ran into this rule this past season. Please explain this to me. I have played baseball my whole life and it has always been my understanding that from the windup the pitcher has to go home but from this reading in the MLB rulebook. Please shed some light on this for me.
The rule states straight out of the MLB rulebook, which I will copy to this post, that a pitcher out of the windup and do 3 things
MLB 5.07 Pitching
From the Windup Position, the pitcher may:
(A) deliver the ball to the batter, or
(B) step and throw to a base in an attempt to pick-off a runner, or
(C) disengage the rubber (if he does he must drop his hand to his sides).
In disengaging the rubber the pitcher must step off with his pivot foot and not his free foot first. He may not go into a set or stretch position-if he does it is a balk.
The previous paragraph states
5.07 Pitching
(a) Legal Pitching Delivery
There are two legal pitching positions, the Windup Position and the Set Position, and either position may be used at any time.
Pitchers shall take signs from the catcher while in contact with the pitcher’s plate.
Rule 5.07(a) Comment: Pitchers may disengage the rubber after taking their signs but may not step quickly onto the rub- ber and pitch. This may be judged a quick pitch by the umpire. When the pitcher disengages the rubber, he must drop his hands to his sides.
Pitchers will not be allowed to disengage the rubber after tak- ing each sign.
The pitcher may not take a second step toward home plate with either foot or otherwise reset his pivot foot in his delivery of the pitch. If there is a runner, or runners, on base it is a balk under Rule 6.02(a); if the bases are unoccupied it is an illegal pitch under Rule 6.02(b).
(1) The Windup Position
The pitcher shall stand facing the batter, his pivot foot in con- tact with the pitcher’s plate and the other foot free. From this position any natural movement associated with his delivery of the ball to the batter commits him to the pitch without interrup- tion or alteration. He shall not raise either foot from the ground, except that in his actual delivery of the ball to the bat- ter, he may take one step backward, and one step forward with his free foot.
When a pitcher holds the ball with both hands in front of his body, with his pivot foot in contact with the pitcher’s plate and his other foot free, he will be considered in the Windup Position.
Rule 5.07(a)(1) Comment: In the Windup Position, a pitcher is permitted to have his “free” foot on the rubber, in front of the rubber, behind the rubber or off the side of the rubber.
From what I read the pitcher can go to first base out of the windup as long as he steps in that direction. From what I see to be the problem is most pitchers step sideways in the direction of first to start their motion going home which would not leave them the ability to have a pick off to first since the 2 motions must be different. BUT if a pitcher was to step straight off the back of the rubber to start their motion home then they would have the ability to be able to step straight to first for a pick off. What are you thought please?
Thank you sir,
I love ur vids
I would like to hit for more power not only in practice but in games to!
Can you give me tips on controlling my swing?
My son plays 10U and has a question. “If a player is running Home how should a pitcher back up the catcher to get the runner out? Seems like it is seconds for the catcher to find the ball and quickly throw to pitcher at or near home base. What can pitcher say to catcher to tell him where he is at? “ thank you
Good video. 0-1 outs, it was a common practice (10-12U) to sacrafice the runner on first in a pickle so the runner on 3rd could score. Defense don't overreact to the pickle protect the runner on 3B from scoring.
So true... 1 help coach a 10u team.... and this past week was the 1st tournament we played in that you could steal...we used the throw to 2nd.. and throw home....if this is done at the right moment depending how fast the kids are on base you can double them up.
if your pitcher pays no attention to the runner at first no matter how great a catcher you have the result is usually just playing catch with the shortstop or pitcher for no reason. With less than 2 outs the team on the bases will just take the advance to second to remove the double play and put 2 in scoring position. The pitcher has to control the running game. With no threat of a caught stealing at second the guy at third has no reason to be faked out.
My Grandpa told me about the Palmball. Have you heard of the pitch and also how you throw it?
It’s basically a changeup
Can you tell me why I may be consistently throwing to high or to low while pitching?
ChrisG1 it’s most likely your release point. Without seeing you pitch it’d be hard to answer.
But, anyone would need your age, left or right handed, which pitches you throw and are you a 12/6, 10/4 or 9/3 type thrower.....
#baseball
Depends on the score and the outs
Witha lead, play for the double play
If it is close, late, protect the plate
Right handed pitcher guards against the runner at third while the catcher and 1st baseman can harass.
Left handed pitcher can hold the runner at first, Catcher harasses the runner at third and the 3rd baseman plays third like a cat,,,Keep that rat hiding at the bag
Until they get older just don’t throw
Stop watching youth baseball and start watching MLB
fred buster yep