Kids play a variety of positions at this level; at the very least, they play positions other than pitcher. Each step closer to the middle of the diamond, the player with the ball becomes a greater threat to the base runners. Put a runner at 1st base that needs to be advanced by the batter. This is the mindset of all nine players on the field as the ball is put into play. Maybe read those through twice. I encourage leagues to consider taking this a step further and instruct their umpires to call Time, get the next batter in the box, and keep games moving along. They tend to be overly concerned with being at/on the base, so they are in the best position to record an out, even when throws are off-line. This movement requirement applies toallplayers, regardless of where the ball is hit Example, third baseman on a ball hit to right field: The third baseman takes an aggressive step towards right field. 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. It is likely that while they are on the move, they will figure out where to throw the ball, if needed. From this point forward, we are filling in the gaps of the above teaching. All movements in the drill are a full out sprint. 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 2nd baseman needs to be trained to look for the 2nd play of the runner rounding 2nd base or trying for 3rd. The definition for 'end of the play' is when the base runner(s) have stopped running hard and attempting to advance to another base. The Pitcher moves towards the ball, out near the baseline between the firt and second base bags, to prepare to back-up a throw or to serve as the cut-relay player on a play at home plate. If you are looking to purchase an eBook, online video, or online courses please press continue. This is why the pitching rubber is the destination for a player who is not sure of what to do with the ball. 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. The rule for infielders is Play the Ball, or Cover a Base. Your best bunt coverage is to have your 1st and 3rd baseman crashing when they see the hands drop to bunt position, with 2nd base covering 1st and your SS covering 3 if there are any runners on base. 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. 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). (watch: 0:25 - 0:42 of this video.). 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). The infielders then echo this information to the outfielders (if needed). 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. More importantly, we want them to understand that by prioritizing the ball they prevent the runner from advancing to the next base. They see the base is covered, so go to their next responsibility of backing-up the base. It may be more dramatic as running 30'-40' to reestablish the straight line relationship from the ball to the base to them in their backing up of a base. Simple as this may seem, this is what the game is about. A Mini Diamond is 20-25' square, but can be modified larger or smaller depending on the activity. Near the end of each play, the base runners will recognize they have advanced as far as they can do so safely. 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. On a Tag Play, the fielder catches the ball and immediately moves their glove to the ground, in front of the side of the base the runner is headed. That doesnt matter, the CF gets going and does their best to get into position to back up the base. First action is always Towards the Ball. 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. Unlike 90 baseball, the pitcher does not back up home plate. Kids need to be trained constantly of this sequence of prioritization. Pitcher respsonsibilities on a ball hit to center field or to the Catcher. 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. Outfielders and Pitcher develop awareness of, and habit of, executing their responsibility of backing up bases. 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. When working on movement responsibilities this clear visual of an uncovered base helps the kids recognize where they are needed. Left fielders must be fast to track down balls and have a strong . Once our players establish the habit (requirement) of getting into motion each time the ball comes off the bat, each play, it is now much simpler to keep them moving to make a play on the Ball, move to cover a Base, or move to Back-up a Base. 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. 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. More kids get to batt and there is more action in the early part of the season when many games get called early because of darkness. The information below is a reference guide. We want to stick this concept with our players immediately at the start of practices. This means that each player on the field takes an aggressive step towards the ball as it comes off the bat. Balls hit to the 2B/1B side of the infield are the responsibility of the Right Fielder. This is how far back you need to be in order to back up the base.". 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. 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. 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. Once the ball is fielded and moved to another point on the field, the responsibilities of some players change, while most have to reposition themselves in relationship to the ball's new location on the field. 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. After the play has ended there is no reason to risk making an overhand throw. Anytime we compact the teaching/learning environment we reduce distractions, improve communication and the players get many more repetitions during a drill. In this example we have a ball hit to the shortstop: --> The rule for the other three infielders is to cover a base. The first and third base defenders should be approximately 3 feet (9 m) in front of their base and 3 feet from the foul line. 4. Back-up throws to a base or to an infielder, Play the Ball - the Cut-Relay Player, on throws to home plate. We verbalize this phraseto our kids repeatedly throughout the teaching process. Aftertraining our kids inthese rules they will get to a point where most react more quickly andinstinctivelyto where they are needed on the field in any given situation. (for the purpose of the drill, it is assumed that each base is covered and the Pitcher does not field the ball). When a Catcher participates in this drill, they also have a responsibility to move. They need to be sure to go behind the base runner when crossing the base line. 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. We've got some great eClinics that detail all types of defensive coverages. In this strategy, the players pretend that the ball is a gigantic magnet and that they are all pieces of metal that are attracted to it. This more compact environment enable coaches to better communicate and teach. Soon they will be making quick and sound decisions for making throws. LFLeft fielder fields the ball in the most secure way possible, preferably the same way an infielder would. Corner Outfielders: Midway between the Corner Base and Second Base, 60 beyond the back edge of the infield. Base. MOORHEAD, Minn. - The Carleton College softball team kicked off the final week of the regular season with a doubleheader sweep at Concordia College-Moorhead. Given these two points, each game has many situations where a throw of 20' or less is in order. NOTE: The rule of thumb, when the ball is hit to the center fielder, Pitcher or catcher, is the shortstop is positioned to handle the ball. The center fielder should be directly behind second base and about 20 to 40 feet (6 to 12 m) from the base. Note: These diagrams are old and will be replaced at some point. Set-up: Mini-diamond, 20'-25' square. Ball or Base - If the Third Baseman is not playing the Ball, their responsibility is to cover the Base. The LF & RF have two bases to back up. Many young players do not recognize they have the option of carrying the ball to its destination. When working with kids we want to structure our talk to be as literal as possible. It would be difficult to go into too much detail here, but over time, and through experience playing and coaching the game, those exceptions to the rule will come up. Softball Bunt Defense Explained Antonelli Softball is the #1 online resource for softball instruction. This is a pressure play on the defense, but with a fair amount of practice should be able to make the play at home on a fairly routine basis. When moving the ball to a teammate, the options are to hand the ball off or make a short underhand toss. ^ remain in a Ready Position until the ball is in the air and the First Baseman gauges the path of the throw. The defenses below are standard bunt defenses, nothing revolutionary. It is not info for a coach to memorize. GO GET implies motion. Calls out ground ball to . 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. Teaching Bunt Defense Many coaches make bunt defense too difcult and confusing by having ten different plays and having an intricate naming system. Some attempts to play the ball will take the Third Baseman (and their momentum) far from the base. Simply telling them is not enough for them to Get It. Our objective is to get the ball into the hands of the Pitcher at the middle of the infield. We teach this practice to the infielders because not every child can project their voice all the way to the oufield. However, they are now inmotion. Defending the offence effectively is critical to the success of your own offence. Redshirt freshman K.J. 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. Even at the 12 year old level the outfielder are not that far from the infield. Softball defensive signals are a tool that many teams are not familiar with or that teams think are too advanced to take advantage of. This Drill should be one of first defensive drills of the year for our team. 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. The right fielder starts running in toward the ball and takes the ball if it gets past the two infielders. Creating this habit in our players takes effort and energy on our part; it is worth our effort. Whenever the ball is hit to one of these three players (catcher, pitcher, center fielder) the shortstop is the player in position to potentially handle the ball. (see Pitcher below). 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? All you need is to drag and drop objects to depict another play and then save with the different name. If the initial throw goes to second base, the ball is then thrown to first base, then to home plate. Once they are at the base, then they turn around and get in a Ready Position facing the ball. Miles . Are we teaching them what to do when the ball is not hit to them? Basic softball defensive strategy and tactics is a look at the fundamental defensive components of the game. The 2nd baseman has the responsibility to cover 1st base and receive the throw. Feet squred to the ball in a Ready Position. In most cases this occurs multiple times. 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). When on the field, the kids will learn to address each situation, less through our verbal instructions, and more through active participation in the drills. The drill has the corner outfielders only backing up first or third. The outfielder that has the ball hit in front of them, either the Left Fielder or Right Fielder sprints straight towards the ball, and doesnt slow down until they see the ball cleanly fielded by an infielder. Coach stands a few feet from where the pitching rubber would be, on the home plate side. Adjust a couple feet to their right or left so to have a clear line of sight to the batter. We establish the mindset, Im going to GO GET the ball. It will be reiterated constantly throughout the season in most drills and activitiesbecause baseball/softball is a game of movement. There are four infielders, the game is played with one ball and there are three bases. Ball or Base - If First Baseman is not playing the Ball, they quickly move to cover the Base. There are two ways to transport the ball around the field: Most kids only consider the first option. With each step, the base runners are less and less likely to attempt to advance. Corner Infielders: 15 from the base, and a step behind, or a step in front of the baseline. 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. 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. Examples of drills that can be run using a Mini Diamond include relays, backing-up and base coverage responsibilities, and first and third defense. Learning and execution is simplified when the pitcher is the cut-relay player on all plays to the plate. NOTE: This does not mean the Center Fielder is not attempting to back up on these throws. FIRST - Take a day or two to consume and digest: Foundations, The Base, and the first block of topics in Coordinated Team Defense (Part 1). We first want to establish in our players minds that they are going to get every ball that is put into play. Other than recording an out (which doesnt happen on every play), getting the ball to the middle of the infield as quickly as possible (to end the play) is our top priority. Softball Bunt Coverage - No Runners on Base With no runners on base, 1st, Pitcher, Catcher, and 3rd aregoing to crash the ball. There will be the odd instances when the roles of the two players will be reversed. 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.
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