Defense!
Table of Contents
1 Bunt defenses
- 5 defenses, teach them all at all levels, but rely on maybe one at younger ages.
- Don't Charge hard 1 and 3. Don't do it. Look for other teams charging 1 and 3 hard on early bunt, then have them hit instead, hopefully up the middle. test the other teams by calling early bunt. if you see hard crash….
- Can't slash don't crash - 12U and under can't slash, so we never should be crashing 1 and 3
- Runner on third everyone crash. everyone get the guy at home, situationally. close game near the end, etc.
- Guy on first 2 options
- guy on second, sort of 2 options.
- "Me me!" "you you!", not "got it" or "ball ball"
- Catcher indicates, signing
- have players watch the knob on a bunt, not the barrel. barrel is hard to see sometimes, but knob is not.
- pitcher Composure. confidence, drilling position coverage backup.
- Outside, not indoor, practice defense with full infield is critical.
- Take the time to make the throw every time. bad throws kill.
- Stab the meatball for stationary balls
- Catcher backup third on bunt to third with runner on 1st
- Four corner drill for reverse pivots to work foot position in bunt defense!
- do "throwing on the run" practice!
- Flush the mistake, brush it off, etc. Have a technique to indicate to the kids to brush it off.
- make it a habit. baseball is a game of failure, so help kids deal with it.
- This has a good writeup of different options that are close to the discription. Sending one player based on runner positions. hence the no-crash conversation https://www.cornerstonecoachingacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Teaching-Bunt-Defenses-Progression.pdf
2 First and thirds (runners on first and third) defense, and some offense
2.1 Cut n play
- Second base cuts off throw behind pitcher, throws back home, short covers second to pickle/get out 3rd base runner.
- Fake steal 0-0 count
- Dont give up the play
- Second base should not step in. Back pick on third, no cut play
- Pay attention to score and inning. let em have a base if score is not close.
- Runner on third, tieing or winning run, don't run a pick play, etc. Obv.
- Open sideline middle infielder runs in far, catcher hits him, and then throw home.
- Hard pump fake catcher throws to 3, but keep ball in glove. then retrieve ball and hit 3rd
- No straight to third if right hand hitter.!!! critical. left hand hitter straight to third only.
- Hitters have to stay still, catcher interference is still a thing
- Clean easy simple.
2.2 Gadget plays for first third
- none really covered. look them up if your team has the ability to work them.
2.3 Offensive Delay steal
- just run with the play. after runner takes secondary, if defense isn't reacting, steal.
- Don't openly divulge anything.
2.4 Random Conversation
- Put lots of bunts down if it works. if its clear the team you are playing has no bunt defense, take advantage.
- 3 peat curveball analogy. guy thinks fastball, but gets a curve, thinks next is fast, but its a curve, third pitch has to be fastball, gets 3 curves, see ya.
2.5 Offensive Leave early play
- runners take off between pitcher hand together and set. Try to get pitcher to baulk. does not apply to 9u
- Pitcher needs to be prepared. Lack of confidence leads to disaster
- Teach pitcher to look at runners every time, as long as they need to. pitcher should control. Don't get the baulk. teach the raise straight and rotate, and the step-off.
- 3rd base runner, keep looking at him to freeze him. don't let your righties ignore 3b, lefties first.
- Never let other team see you freaking out at your team.
- Sun direction on The field is important. consider it
- No man's land. 3rd base line backup. don't back up right on top of the base.
2.6 defensive Leave early force
- Step off kill the play if it's a big lead.
- Lsu national champion bunt steal failure wake forest: https://youtu.be/Nf__SMWDSCA
- Train pitchers to calm down. Practice and reps with your pitchers to control runner situations. build that confidence to control.
2.7 Get picked play defense
- Square the first baseman. right foot inside corner pointed at pitcher, left foot near the baseline also pointed at pitcher. face the pitcher. no one foot BS.
- Pitcher execute the pick.
- Composure and understanding the play. Help the players not get pulled into a rundown.
3 Rundowns
- Same side of the ball
- Make the throwing lane. Stick to it. don't try to switch to inside from outside, or vice-versa
- Keep players running, don't stop running when the runner stops.
- Close with urgency, not out of control
- No throws or 1 On run down. shut it down after 1 throw.
- No pump faking. Or one early. No more. disaster if grip lost.
- no one should call ball. you don't call ball. One pump fake and the next one is a throw. make it one pump and then a throw as a rule. Back guy always ready
- No signal/call rundown, calls are a waste
- Collect the out in the rundown
- Teaching this is easier with fixed position players. younger groups, consider running players in consistent positions.
- Not a big fan of foot on bag for any base.. umpires see the foot come off easily, and also see the foot go on easily. Athleticism Important etc.
- Get to the bag early, good footwork, create angle.
- Cross the bag to get momentum going. Run over the base on a double play ball to get facing the right direction.
- Second base almost always front corner.
- Cross that bag! 88ft VS 92ft for the throw!
- Glove out of the way to flip/present. on a 2nd to short flip, and vice versa. get that glove outa there.
- Uphill throw/flip for vision. flip in an upward motion, not overhand down.
- When in doubt collect the out.
- First base hold the runner.
- First base obstructing. Watch for it. Don't teach it. Right foot front inside corner facing pitcher.
- Heels on the bag corners. Keep the ball inside the body frame
4 Outfield defense
- outfielder should be lined up on the line made by First base and second base, and the second and third line.
- Shift OPPO for gas pitch
- Shift pull side for curve pitch
- I front of face move in
- Set defense based on situation for starting at bat, not default place.
- shortstop can Relay gas VS off speed to all players via hand signs behind back, etc.
- Anticipate where batted ball goes based on pitch. defense can be ready
- Body signs and hand signs, use em. get your catcher to signal somehow.
- 3 reads for outfielders
- Weather, previous at bats by players and production
- what Pitch is happening now
- then Ball in play read.
4.1 Outfield
- Proper footwork to drop step, Transfers, Breaking down
- Don't let it past you! no matter what is the outfield mantra
- 8 cone drill for fly balls. For footwork. use a pitching machine if possible. fungo also ok, but easier, faster with a machine.
- Footwork and speed are both important.
- Arm placement for fielding. 12 oclock is straight up. 11 o'clock behind/under the ball is optimal, 12 or 1, you run/go back, 8 go forward. teach fly balls
- Layout for ball is rare, almost never, unless game is on the line. then you have to collect yourself.. just don't do it. unless the game is on the line
- Fence line backup, super important! right field back up 1st end of the dugout, on he fence, damn far away, same for third. teach it!
- Cutoffs.. train them, drill them, make them habit. don't forget pitchers and catchers!
- Take the time to make sure backups happen. training that is valuable time usage
- Drill for energy! get em running
- Run to each position
- Wistle, next position numerically!
- In n out drill: http://tinyurl.com/rytafnwp
- Run to each position