Team Defense Drills
Wild Pitch/Passed Ball Communication
This section contains 8 team defense drills and the philosophies behind them that simulate real game situations. The whole team works on these drills together. When the infielders are working on their team defense drills, the outfielders then become base runners.
The purpose behind fly ball communication is to erase confusion between players when a ball is popped up where more than one person can catch it. In order to make a successful catch, a priority system must be in place. The priority system is as follows:
1. All outfielders have priority over all infielders
2. The centerfielder has priority over the left and right fielders
3. The shortstop has priority over all infielders
4. The second baseman has priority over the first baseman and the pitcher
5. The first baseman has priority over the pitcher and the catcher
6. The third baseman has priority over the pitcher and the catcher
7. The pitcher and catcher have priority over no one
There are also some helpful tips to remember:
1. The pitcher should NEVER catch a pop up unless it is a low soft hit pop up right at her. If
there is time for another infielder to get there and make an easy catch, then that fielder should
catch it.
2. An infielder should never catch a ball that she is going back for if it is an easy play for the
outfielder to make. The outfielder has a better angle, and it is an easier ball to catch for her.
3. If an infielder is underneath a pop up and is waiting for it to come down, she must give a visual
(as well as verbal) signal to the outfielder. The visual signal is the waving of both arms in big
opposite circles above the head. If an infielder is doing this, then the outfielder should let her
have the catch because this tells her that the infielder is no longer running backwards to make
the catch.
4. Always make sure that all bases are covered (especially second base). For example, if there is
a ball hit between the centerfielder, shortstop, and second baseman, then depending on who calls
it someone has to peel off and cover second base.
The drill works as follows:
All the players take their positions on the field. Two coaches take turns hitting fly balls. One coach hits to the right side of the field, while the other hits fly balls to the left side. There are buckets (in foul territory) by first base and by third base. After a ball is hit to the right side, whoever catches it throws it to the first baseman who then puts it in the bucket. After a ball is hit to the left side, whoever catches it throws it to the third baseman who then puts it in her bucket.
The purpose behind the cut drill is to give the outfielders practice at getting in good position to field the ball, using proper receiving techniques, and hitting their cuts as well as giving the infielders practice at getting in the right position by listening to the catcher's or the third baseman's commands and executing proper cut mechanics if the throw is off line. In order to make a successful cut, certain rules apply. The rules are as follows:
1. The third baseman is the cut for the leftfielder when she throws the ball home.
2. The first baseman is the cut for the centerfielder and the rightfielder when she throws the
ball to third base.
3. The shortstop is the cut for the centerfielder and the rightfielder when she throws the ball to
third base.
4. The second baseman covers second base on all plays.
There are also some helpful tips to remember:
1. The outfielder should ALWAYS throw the ball through the cut. What I mean by this is that
the outfielder should throw the ball at the cut's chest so that she could cut it if need be, but
also hard enough so that the ball could get the runner at the base if there is no cut. She
should NEVER throw the ball over the cut's head.
2. The third baseman should line up about 10 feet in front of third base (closer to home plate),
and the first baseman should line up close to the pitcher's mound on a throw from center and
about 10 feet in from of first base on a throw from rightfield. They both should listen to the
catcher to where they should line up laterally.
3. The outfielder should never short hop a base. If she can't get the throw there on a line, then
she should throw it in low enough so that the ball takes a big enough hop so that the third
baseman can field it easily.
4. When the throw is coming home, the catcher should be lining the third or first baseman up by
telling her in what direction to move. These commands should come in the form of "left two" or
"left one" OR "right two" or "right one", until the cut gets in the position that she wants.
5. When the throw is coming to third base, the third baseman should be lining the shortstop up by
telling her in what direction to move. These commands are the same as above.
6. If the ball is not going to be cut, the cut should always fake a catch by going toward the ball
with her glove and then fake a throw to second base. The reason behind this is that in a game
this could make the runner hesitate just enough so that she won't advance to the next base on
the throw through.
7. In this drill, if the throw is off line, the the cut always goes to second base.
The drill works as follows:
All of the players go to their respective positions. There are two coaches that alternate hitting either fly balls or ground balls to the outfielders. (The coaches should do fly balls on one day and ground balls on another day. This gives the outfielders a chance to focus on their respective techniques.) The outfielders should alternate bases between third base and home after each hit. (For example if there are two leftfielders, one centerfielder, and two rightfielders, then the first leftfielder throws her ball to third base, the second leftfielder throws her ball home, the centerfielder throws her ball to third base, etc. The only exception is if you have an even number of outfielders, then the first leftfielder throws her ball to the same base that the last rightfielder threw her ball to.) The infielders should also be executing proper cut techniques and be in their correct positions.
The purpose behind this drill is to simulate a situation in which a hit ball reaches the outfield fence. When this happens the second baseman and shortstop work together to perform the cut. In order to successfully perform a tandem relay, certain rules apply. The rules are as follows:
1. The priority system in the outfield remains the same: the centerfielder has priority over the
left and the right fielder.
2. The shortstop has the cut from a ball hit to the fence from centerfield to the leftfield line,
whereas the second baseman has the cut from right-center to the right field line.
There are also some helpful tips to remember:
1. All individual techniques should be performed properly by all fielders, including receiving the ball
as the outfielder and correct cut positioning by the infielders.
2. The catcher should line up the front side of the "tandem" just like in the cut drill above.
3. The shortstop and second baseman should always position themselves about 15 feet behind one
another when executing a cut. The reason for this is in case of an overthrow from the
outfielder. Wherever the ball is hit, this "tandem" should be in effect.
4. If the throw is on line and not overthrown, then the backside of the "tandem" should peel off
and just get out of the way of the rest of the play.
5. The cut should always line up three bases ahead. Basically this means if a base runner is
occupying first base in any situation, then the cut should throw the ball to home. If first base
is unoccupied in any situation, then the cut should throw the ball to third base.
6. If the ball is cut off by an outfielder before it reaches the fence, then the throw should go
two bases ahead, and the infield cuts should also line up that way (just like in the cut drill).
For example, if there is a runner on first base and the right fielder cuts the ball off, then she
should be throwing the ball to third base while the shortstop is positioning herself for the cut
there by listening to the third baseman, who is telling her in what direction to go. The second
baseman then should realize that this is not a "tandem" situation and should then go cover
second base.
7. The first baseman should follow the hitter when she rounds first base and heads to second base
when the batted ball reaches the fence.
The drill works as follows:
All the players go to their respective positions. The players are told where the runners are on base. The coach hits a long fly ball that reaches the fence. It can either be a ball hit in the gap, down the line, or over an outfielder's head. The outfielders communicate on who is going to field it while the middle infielders are lining up for the cut by listening to the catcher. The play is executed by throwing the ball to the proper base.
The purpose of this drill is to eliminate confusion in a game-like situation when a ball is bunted during certain situations, while giving bunters a chance to practice live bunting. Depending on what bases are occupied by a base runner stipulates who will be able to field a bunt. Like in every drill, certain rules apply. These rules are as follows:
1. The catcher determines who fields a bunt and to what base she should throw it to.
2. Each infielder is responsible for her half or third of the infield depending on what play is called
There are 5 different bunt coverages that take place during a game. These coverages are:
Play 1
Situation: Fairly fast runner on first base
Coverages: In this play the field is divided into thirds. The third baseman covers her third, the pitcher covers her third, and the first baseman covers her third. The shortstop slides over to cover second base, and the second baseman slides over to cover first base.
Positionings on bases: Shortstop should be set up on the inside front part of the bag, while the second baseman should be set up on the inside half of the bag.
Play 2
Situation: Slow runner on first base
Coverages: In this play the field is divided into halves. The third baseman has the pitcher's mound to the third baseline, while the pitcher has the pitcher's mound to the first baseline. The first baseman stays back and covers the throw to first, and the shortstop and second baseman are cheated over towards second base in double play depth. If the ball is bunted to the third baseman, then the second baseman covers second base, but if the pitcher fields the bunt then the shortstop covers second base.
Positionings on the bases: Shortstop and second baseman should be ready to receive the ball in order to turn a double play, while the first baseman sets up on the inside of first base.
Play 3: Pick Off
Situation: Runner on first base likes to take a big lead
Coverages: In this play, the first baseman plays quite a bit in front of first base, while the second baseman cheats over towards first base.
Positionings on the bases: Second baseman should line up on the outside part of the bag.
Play 4
Situation: Fairly quick runner is on second base and first base
Coverages: In this play, the field is divided into thirds. The third baseman covers her third, the pitcher covers her third, and the first baseman covers her third. The shortstop slides over to cover third base, while the second baseman slides over to cover first base.
Positionings on the bases: Shortstop should set up on the front part of third base, while the second baseman should set up on the inside part of first base.
Play 5
Situation: Slow runner on second base
Coverages: In this play, the field is divided into halves. The pitcher has the pitcher's mound to the third baseline, while the first baseman has the pitcher's mound to the first baseline. The third baseman stays back and covers the throw to third. The shortstop backs up the third baseman by lining up down the left field line, while the second baseman slides over to cover first base.
Positionings on the bases: Third baseman should set up on the front part of the third base, and the second baseman should set up on the inside part of first base.
There are also some helpful tips to remember:
1. Every time the second baseman receives the ball at first base, she will then run immediately to
the pitcher's circle with the ball up by her head ready to throw it if need be. This prevents
any confusion with the runner at second trying to fake running to third base.
2. The pitcher should always cover third base when the third baseman fields the bunt, NEVER the
left fielder.
3. If the third baseman does not field the bunt then she needs to retreat back to cover third
base.
The drill works as follows:
All infielders go to their respective positions, while the outfielders get helmets and become bunters and base runners. The pitchers switch out on each play. The pitcher pitches a pitch (about 75%) and the bunter bunts it. The catcher then decides who should field the bunt and to which base the throw should go to. If the ball is bunted hard enough and straight to a fielder, the catcher will usually tell the fielder to try to get the lead runner. If it is a softer bunt or the fielder mishandles it a little, the catcher will tell the fielder to go to first base. When executing plays 1 and 2, there is a runner on first base. When executing plays 3 and 4, there are runners on first base and second base. When executing play 3, there is a runner on first base. The pitcher executes an effective pitch out. While the ball is being pitched, the first baseman is yelling "bunt" while running in towards home plate. The second baseman on the other hand is cheating over towards first base and actually breaks to the base before the ball is released. She should set up on the outside of the base, as the catcher is throwing to first on foul territory.
The purpose of this drill is learn how to correctly execute rundowns. This play happens in almost every game. The rules are as follows:
1. The two fielders should be on the same side of the baseline
2. The fielder with the ball should always run full speed at the base runner. The reason for this
is because the runner is going to mimic what the fielder does. When she is running full speed it
is very difficult to stop on a dime and change directions when
3. The fielder with the ball should make a controlled 12 to 6 toss to the other fielder immediately
when it is called for.
4. After the fielder gives up the ball, she needs to peel off of the rundown of the same side as
she threw it. For example, if both fielders are lined up on the inside of the baseline (closer to
the middle of the field), then the fielder who got rid of the ball should peel off of the play
towards the mound. She should NEVER cross into the baseline during a rundown play. The
reason why this is important is because if the base runner makes contacts with a defensive
player, then she is automatically awarded the next base.
5. The play should take no more than 1 throw, but 2 is the max.
6. If the base runner is more than half-way to the other base when the fielder receives the ball,
then that fielder should
automatically throw it to the fielder at that base, who then executes the rundown play.
7. If at all possible, the fielders should always run the base runner back to the base she came
from instead of the one they want to go to.
The drill works as follows:
All of the infielders, including the catcher, go to their respective bases while the outfielders and pitchers become base runners interspersed at all of the bases. The coach stands in the middle of the infield. The ball starts with the catcher and she executes a rundown with the third baseman who is covering third base. After completed, correctly or incorrectly, the ball is then thrown to another third baseman who is at third base. She then executes a rundown with the shortstop at second base. After completed, correctly or incorrectly, the ball is then thrown to the second baseman at second base and she executes a rundown with the first baseman who is covering first base. After completed, correctly or incorrectly, the ball is then thrown back to the catcher who repeats the drill.
Competition Modification:
In order to make this drill a little more exciting, the coach can make a competition out of it between the infielders and the base runners to make it a little more game-like. If the infielders correctly tag the base runner out, then their team gets one point. If the base runner safely reaches a base, then their team gets one point. The first team to 12 points is the winner, with the losing team performing a form of conditioning punishment.
The purpose of this drill is to eliminate any confusion in a game-like situation when there are runners on first and third base. There are two main plays that take place in this situation, which of course depends on what runners are on the bases. The rules are as follows:
1. The catcher is in command of the play once the coach calls which one he wants executed.
2. The catcher must make a quick and decisive decision, even if it happens to be the wrong one.
She should NOT be hesitant at all!
3. The shortstop always covers second base, the third baseman always covers third base, the
first baseman always covers first base, and the second baseman always goes in the baseline
between first and second.
Play 1
Situation: Slower or hesitant runner on third base, or in the worst case scenario we can afford to give up a run.
In this play, the throw is going to be thrown by the catcher to either the shortstop (covering second base) or the second baseman (positioned between first and second), depending on if the runner on first straight steals or delay steals. But before the catcher decides on which middle infielder to throw to, she must first glance down the first baseline to the third baseman. If when she does this, she notices that the third baseman has both hands raised over her head, then the catcher immediately throws the ball to her at third base. The reason why the third baseman would do this is if she notices that the runner at third took a big lead to where she can see her. (The third baseman should be set up about 8 feet in front of the base.) If this does not occur, then the catcher will decide what middle infielder to throw to. Once the shortstop or second baseman receives the ball, she has to decided if the runner on third base is going to try to steal home. If the runner is going, then she will immediately throw the ball home. If the runner is not going, then she will walk (in a quick but controlled manner) the runner back to first base with her shoulders square to home plate and the ball up by her head in the 12 to 6 position. The reason that this is important is because she can keep her eyes on the runner on third and be in good position to throw home if need be. If the runner on third base stays put, then the first baseman can sneak up behind the runner (on the same side of the baseline as the fielder), and when in good position, call for the ball by yelling "ball". When she does this, the second baseman or shortstop will make a controlled flip to the first baseman by rotating her shoulders to square up to the first baseman when she hears the command. The reason that this works is because the runner will mimic what the fielder does. So if the fielder walks her back to first base, then that gives the first baseman time to sneak up behind her without her knowing. This is executed in very similar fashion to a run down in the way that the first baseman should call for the ball while leaning forward in order to meet the ball. She should NEVER be on her heels when she calls for the ball!
Play 2
Situation: Fast runner or a runner who likes to take a big lead is on third base, or when you absolutely cannot give up a run.
In this play, the throw is going to be thrown by the catcher to the third baseman at third base. When the catcher receives the pitch, she is going to fake or "sell" a throw down to second base and then she is quickly going to re-gather herself and make a throw down to thirds base. All of the infielders still get into their same positions as if the throw was going to go down to second base. In order for this play to work, the catcher really needs to sell the fake throw!
The drill works as follows:
All of the infielders go to their respective positions, while the outfielders become base runners. The pitchers switch out on every play. The pitcher pitches the ball to the catcher. The runner on first decides whether to straight steal or to delay steal, while the runner on third base decides to take a short lead or a big lead. After the catcher receives the pitch she quickly glances over to the third baseman to see if her hands are raised. If they are, then she throws the ball down to third base. If not, then the catcher decides what type of steal the runner on first is performing. She then executes the throw to the proper middle infielder. If the runner on third takes off for home, then the middle infielder immediately throws the ball to the catcher. If not, then the shortstop applies the tag to the base stealer, or the second baseman executes the proper technique to walk the runner back to first base in a quick, but controlled manner while keeping her eyes on the runner at third base. The first baseman then sneaks up behind the base runner and calls for the ball at the proper time.
Competition Modification:
In order to make this drill a little more exciting, the coach can make a competition out of it between the infielders and the base runners to make it a little more game-like. If the infield records an out then their team receives a point for each out recorded on each play. But if a run scores, then a point is subtracted. If a base runner scores a run then their team receives a point. They also receive a 1/2 point for each base that they advance when a run scores. The first team to 7 points is the winner, with the losing team performing a form of conditioning punishment.
Wild Pitch/Passed Ball Communication
The purpose of this drill is to make sure that all areas are covered in the case of a wild pitch/passed ball with a runner on third base. It also prevents extra bases being taken if more than one runner is on base. There are two main executions that can take place for this drill:
Play 1: Wild Pitch/Passed Ball straight back to the backstop
If the wild pitch/passed ball is pitched straight back to the backstop, then the third baseman stays back to cover third base, while the second baseman covers second base. The shortstop and the first baseman split the infield. The shortstop should run to just beside the circle on her side, while the first baseman should run to just beside the circle on her side. This is important in case the catcher makes a bad throw back to the pitcher, who is covering home plate. The infielders should yell
Play 2: Wild Pitch/Passed Ball that rolls down either foul line
If the wild pitch/passed ball hits the backstop and rolls down the third base foul line, then the third baseman should field the ball, meaning that the shortstop has to cover third base. The second baseman should still cover second base, but the first baseman then has the responsibility to back up the throw from the third baseman to the pitcher covering home plate. So she should line herself up in a straight line with the throw. The same goes when the ball rolls down the first base foul line, except with the first baseman fielding the ball to the pitcher covering home, and the third baseman backing up that throw.
The drill works as follows:
All the infielders are at their respective positions, while the outfielders become base runners. The pitchers switch out on each play. The pitcher pitches a wild pitch/passed ball. The catcher turns to field it while all of the infielders tell her in what direction it is. (The communication for this is if the ball goes to the first base side of the backstop, everyone yells "one, one, one". If it goes straight back, everyone yells "two, two, two". If it goes to the third base side of the backstop, everyone yells "three, three, three".) The infielders react to where it is pitched and go to their proper positions. The catcher or infielder fields the ball and makes a controlled toss to the pitcher who is covering home plate.
This is probably the best team defense drill that you can do. The purpose behind this drill is to create pressure situations (just like in a game) where the players must correctly execute the play, be in the correct positions, and display extreme hustle. The object of the drill is to complete 7 completely correct plays.
The drill works as follows:
All players start in their respective dugouts. The third baseman, shortstop, and rightfielder start in the first base dugout, whereas the first baseman, second baseman, leftfielder, catcher, and pitcher start in the third base dugout, and the centerfielder starts at the pitcher's mound. The coach is positioned at home plate. When the coach says go, all of the players sprint out to their respective positions. If the coach that one of the players did not run full speed, then he can call them all back in to their dugouts, and they have to sprint out again. Once at their positions, the coach calls out who is on base and how many outs their are. All of the players then communicate to others out loud 2 things they might possibly have to do depending on where the ball is hit. The coach then hits the ball with a play in mind that he wants to see the team execute. For example, he might want to see a properly executed tandem relay drill, a 6-4-3 double play, fly ball communication, passed ball defense, bunt coverage, cut positionings, or even a home to first play, etc. After the play is done, everyone must sprint back to their dugout. If the play is completed with absolutely no flaws with everybody being in proper their positions and no mishandles, then they get to rest for 30 seconds. If someone was out of position, an error was made, or a ball was thrown to the wrong base, etc. then they have to sprint back out to their positions immediately without any rest. Repeat this drill until 7 plays are executed correctly. As you can see the players can become extremely tired very fast if they keep messing up. But if they keep making correct plays, then it can be a very easy drill. It all depends on how the players react to the pressure, knowing that their whole team in counting on them to execute the drills that they were taught how to do.
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