Cutoff & Relay

Team defence on an extra-base hit. The ball goes into the left-centre gap, the shortstop goes out as the relay, everyone else moves to a coverage or backup spot, and the ball beats the runner to third.

Setup:

• The full defence on the field and a batter-runner at home.

• The coach hits from the plate.

Execution:

• The coach hits into the left-centre gap. The centre fielder runs it down with the left fielder backing up.

• The shortstop sprints out to line up between the ball and third base, and the second baseman trails as the second cut.

• The third baseman takes the bag, the pitcher backs up third, the first baseman covers second and the right fielder backs up second.

• The centre fielder hits the relay man, who turns to his glove side and throws to third.

• The batter-runner runs hard, trying for a triple.

Coaching points:

• Relay: give a big target, arms up and chest to the outfielder, and catch it on your glove side.

• Outfielder: throw through the relay man's head, low and on a line.

• Base receiver: call the play ("Cut!", "Relay!", "Three!") and line up the relay man.

• Every player has a job. Nobody watches.

Progressions:

• Hit to the other gap and down both lines.

• Add a runner on first to make the decision live.

• Keep score: the defence gets a point every time the ball beats the runner.