softball defensive coverage

(NOTE: at the 12u level we do not teach players to straddle the base. A stance we do not want to see with our fielders is hands hanging close to the ground near ankle level. 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). We verbalize this phraseto our kids repeatedly throughout the teaching process. some aspects of baseball play are learned through experience. Backup 2nd base: Center field/Left field. THIRD - The Section, Managing the Ball, includes content that kids really need to understand, but is rarely taught. . When players do this correctly, team defensive play as a whole runs much smoother. Getting an out, any out is a big deal. 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. A Mini Diamond is 20-25' square, but can be modified larger or smaller depending on the activity. We also train our pitchers that, when they field a ball that takes them to the third base side of the rubber to feed the third baseman for a 1-5 put out. What Do Sport Performance Professionals Do? (This will be covered in detail later in this section.). Five feet behind the baseline. The second base defender and shortstop should be about half way between the bases and just behind the base path. Softball Skills: Bunt Defense Drill | TeamSnap Corner Infielders: 12-15 from the base. Softball Defensive Ready Position - YouTube Plant their foot on the base and stretch forward with the other foot. The Catcher hollers loud, Eat it! (meaning to hold onto the ball). The Pitcher moves a few feet towards second base when the ball is hit beyond the second base bag to center field. Click here to proceed to the HK Canada website. Defensive Coverage For Pickoffs By: Coach McCreary Originally Published in: Coaching Softball Technical and Tactical Skills - Human Kinetics Now let's look at a few coverage options for running the pickoff at different bases. First action is always Towards the Ball. It is not until the ball is cleanly fielded and the outfielder is not needed that they look for a place to back up, which likely would be the a potential second or third throw of the play. All you need is to drag and drop objects to depict another play and then save with the different name. The odds of making a throw that gets past the player covering the base are pretty high. A few inches off the plate, and not touching the plate. Outfielders back-up bases on every play. 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. --> The rule for the Pitcher is "Always move towards the ball". Player fielding the ball does not* throw the ball. We want them to see that they can get to the corner base as easy as they can get to Second Base. Unlike 90 baseball, the pitcher does not back up home plate. The rule for infielders is Play the Ball, or Cover a Base. balls requiring the fielder to move quickly from their starting spot. 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? HyperOps | LinkedIn Often it requires a player backing up the throw in order to ultimately stop the ball (we'll address backing up soon). This is a less common occurance in the game played on the small diamond. Vilnius Castle Complex - Wikipedia 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. Not until they see the ball is caught by the fielder in front of them does their responsibility change to moving to back up a throw. Near the end of each play, the base runners will recognize they have advanced as far as they can do so safely. An experienced and consciencious umpire should be receptive to this practice. There will be times however, when another player can get to the area around the pitching rubber easier, and quicker, than the pitcher. 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. 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. 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. Softball Defensive Signals - Softball Tutor The Catcher hollers, Defense! The odds of making a throw, in this situation, and recording an out, are slim. The corner position will play the "flats." Coaches that train the kids to back up bases properly will see a vast improvement in team defensive play. 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. The center fielder should be directly behind second base and about 20 to 40 feet (6 to 12 m) from the base. Instruct the pitcher to run BEHIND the base runner. However, they need to recognize that some throws to second base are on an angle to the base that would send an overthrow right to a corner outfielder. Options are then limited to: Carry the ball to its destination (run with the ball), Hand it to a teammate (who they have run to), Make a short underhand toss to a teammate (after running towards them to a point they are close enough to make a short, safe toss). Use the magnet principle for defensive coverage in softball Their mindset is: I am going to GO GET the ball. Infield Base Coverage Responsibilities - Explained. We attach this phrase to the end of any drill or activity that involves making a play at a base or on a runner. Middle Infielders: 20-25 from the base. Because players, especially outfielders, early in the season, are unsure of where to throw, they will be running with the ball quite a bit. 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 second baseman covers first - when the first baseman in ranging to their right or coming in on a ground ball often the pitcher is also attempting to make a play on the ball, or is slow in getting off the rubber. Any drill in which the focus of the teaching is something other than working on full on overhand throwing technique can be run on a Mini Diamond. In most cases they are doing this while running back to their positions. (see Pitcher below). When working with kids we want to structure our talk to be as literal as possible. We want TWO players in position to catch every throw; the player at the base who we hope makes the catch, and a second player beyond the base to catch the ball, if it gets past the base. And worse case scenario they will keep the ball moving by running with it. We want the Catcher running the game. 10 from first base; this represents the base runner going to first base. We point out that some throws to second base are going almost directly towards the Left or Right Field positions. My experience observing youth practices and games, is coaches hollering to their players, Back up those throws! However, getting our kids to recognize the importance of this aspect of the game and to develop urgency in their execution takes more than Telling or Reminding. Softball Bunt Defense Drill - Softball Tutor Once the defense (most specifically the Catcher) sees the runners are not attempting to advance, our rule is our defensive players do not make overhand throws. Anytime we compact the teaching/learning environment we reduce distractions, improve communication and the players get many more repetitions during a drill. Softball Oklahoma remains No. A coach that is factoring in some of the variables above, instructs their kids to adjust from their Regular positioning. Human Kinetics print books are now distributed by Booktopia Publisher Services throughout Australia/NZ, delivered to you from their NSW warehouse. Bunt Defense with runner at 2B or 1st & 2B | Discuss Fastpitch Softball Creating this habit in our players takes effort and energy on our part; it is worth our effort. This is important because the kids are standing close together. It is perfectly acceptable to carry the ball. The magnet principle is a basic concept that can be used to help young players learn defensive coverage. --> The rule for the Pitcher is "Always move towards the ball". This action of the coach represents a ground ball. Our objective is for each defensive player to make a hard, aggressive step towards the ball when it is put into play. 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. The left fielder is positioned in the outfield on the left side of the field, closest to third base. 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. As the season progresses we want to teach our players that their our positioning on the field in relationship to the bases and the ball changes each time the ball moves. 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. It is likely that while they are on the move, they will figure out where to throw the ball, if needed. If you are new to this level, you will soon find out how important it is to have every throw to a base to have player backing-up. When a ball is hit to the right side of the infield, the RF goes to get the ball. 5 takeaways from Oklahoma Softball's sweep of the Baylor Bears In this case, the second-base defender continues on to first base and covers the base (see figure 7.3). However, they are now inmotion. Outfielders and Pitcher develop awareness of, and habit of, executing their responsibility of backing up bases. The Centerfielder backs-up second base. Prior to the pitch being throws or when preparng to receive a throw, we want our kids to be Ready to move quickly, be it laterally, forward or back. Proper positioning is a few inches in front of home plate. We teach this practice to the infielders because not every child can project their voice all the way to the oufield. One player goes for the ball; the other three back up a base (4 = 1 + 3). Double plays are rarely turned. They learn by doing, not by memorizing. The same is true, in most instances, when the ball is hit to the center fielder. 1. The pitcher is the cut-relay to home on All balls hit to the outfield - reasons: Often the pitcher is the best athlete on the field; we want them handling the ball as much as possible. Base, Back up (it is assumed for the purpose of the drill, that the corner base is covered). 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. Backing up players will not get directly in line with the direction of a possible throw. The infielder then turns and sprints with the ball towards the middle of the infield. Basketball player on defense guarding a player dribbling the ball up court. 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. It will be reiterated constantly throughout the season in most drills and activitiesbecause baseball/softball is a game of movement. Do You Have the Courage & Attention Span for Great Defensive Coverage There isnt a hard and fast rule to follow. Players at each outfield position, approximately 30 beyond the infield diamond (mark those spots with cones). She's not going to run. When kids cover a base, more often than not they put a foot on the base. Note that we have the younger kids positioned further from the bases. 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. This is an effective analogy, especially for younger players. Players wont sprint (even though we just told them). Balls hit to the 3B/SS side of the infield are the responsibility of the Left Fielder. Drill after drill, practice after practice, until they consistently execute this action themselves, we demonstrate by making an aggressive step and stating Go Get the ball. Back-up - Instruct the Third Baseman to aggressively go after balls hit between them and the Shortstop or between them and the Pitcher. 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. There are three situations (also covered in greater detail later in this section) where the shortstop and second basemans response to this rule is modified slightly; when the ball is hit to the catcher, pitcher or center fielder: Catcher or Pitcher: shortstop covers second base; the second baseman backs up second base. Soon they will be making quick and sound decisions for making throws. . She begins with bunt and slap defense, moves on to . before cruising to a 13-3 (5 inn.) If the throw is off target, quickly move laterally, from the Ready Position, as fars as required to catch/stop the ball. The ball goes to cf, the ss goes out to get the ball; the second baseman covers the base. Teach the First Baseman to be aggressively go after balls hit between them and the Second Baseman or between them and the Pitcher. We want them 20-25' beyond the base. The Mini Diamond is also used to teach drills and plays before running them on the regular size field. The Vilnius Castle Complex ( Lithuanian: Vilniaus pili kompleksas or Vilniaus pilys) is a group of cultural, and historic structures on the left bank of the Neris River, near its confluence with the Vilnia River, in Vilnius, Lithuania. It is not uncommon in the youth game to see both the Shortstop and Second Baseman covering second base together. That's what happened with the Ohio State softball team on Sunday in the rubber match of a three-game series vs. Purdue at Buckeye Field. 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. If there are other runners attempting to advance to another base our player is ready to respond. There are times where the direction of the throw to second base is such that it can be a challenge for the Center Fielder to get into position to back up the throw. 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 fact is, the bases are out there for the runners. Then they holler (loud enough to be heard in the outfield) the number of OUTS and the location of the RUNNERS. If the base is covered, run beyond the base to Back-up a throw to the base. This is not as descriptive as the phrase we want to use with our kids.). 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. Infield get the runner at 2nd if you can, if not take the sure out at 1st. 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. 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. RULE: I am going to Go Get the ball, The pitcher sprints towards, and past, the corner base* on the side of the infield the coach/ground ball is going. Grasping that info, and doing so from the perspective of a kid who will be learning it, is important before getting into the meat of this section. That is ok, it is part of the learning process. 16x Big 12 Champions; Over 1,100 career victories. 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). Coach stands a few feet from where the pitching rubber would be, on the home plate side. If you are not playing the Ball,cover a Base (home plate). When giving this responsibility to the Catcher we do so with the understanding they will make some mistakes. 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. Simple as this may seem, this is what the game is about. This more compact environment enable coaches to better communicate and teach. 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). Pickoff attempts require a specific defender to cover the base to try to catch the runner off base. Now players are soft slapping, drag bunting, and power slapping depending on the defense is. Coaching youth Baseball and Softball. Be Ready to Move! 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.

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