Today's Drill: Fly Balls With Runner at Third
Purpose: Making a habit of tagging up on fly balls.
Set-Up: Put several runners in a line at third base. Defensive players are at each outfield position, third base, catcher and pitcher. If your first baseman is used in your cutoff system, use one as well.
The Drill: The coach hits fly balls to the outfield, including in foul territory. Upon catching the ball, the outfielder fires the ball home, through the cutoff man. The runners tag up on every fly ball and try to score if they think they can.
Coaches' Corner: Runners need make a habit of tagging up on a fly ball with less than two out, regardless of how difficult a catch appears. They also must learn which balls they are capable of scoring on. The coach should hit a few bloopers where runners should go down the line and score if the ball drops.
|