By: Jose Lara
Great drill for building stamina and endurance as well as teaching young outfielders to catch fly balls on the run and make a good throw to the cutoff, at the same time it helps infielders with alignment and communication.
Position the outfielders outside the foul line in left field. Infielders will go to their normal positions. (all players must wear fielding gloves).
Example: Relay to 2B
Coach will stand on the mound with infielders and outfielders facing him/her. One outfielder at a time, he/she will begin running from left field to right field, coach will then hit a fly ball ahead of the OF (Jugs machine may also be used for fly balls) forcing OF into a sprint, simultaneously the shortstop will become the cutoff—-second baseman will cover the base and communicate to the SS where to position him/herself. The outfielder must attempt to catch the fly ball on the run, then make a good throw to the cutoff. (Outfielder must continue running immediately after the throw) Cutoff must catch the ball, then throw to the second baseman.
The coach will hit fly balls to the outfielder until he/she has reached right field foul line. Once all the outfielders have reached right field foul line, the drill will start all over again from right to left.
NOTE: The cutoff will change according to where the fly ball is hit.
TIPS
• Takes about 4 to 5 fly balls per OF from foul line to foul line.
• 16 to 20 fly balls per outfielder.
• Drill may be used for relays to 2nd, 3rd and home.
• Infielders should be facing coach at the beginning of drill.
• Outfielders and cutoffs should be in a run at all times, except when making a throw.
• Cutoff should be positioned half way between OF and Base being thrown to.
• Have outfielders and cutoffs turn glove side when performing a relay.
COMMUNICATION TIPS FOR CUTOFFS
Left, left, left: move to the left
Right, right, right: move to the right
Out: go deep
Back: come back
Stop
Cut: catch a thrown ball from an outfielder
No Cut: let thrown ball through
Hold: do not throw
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