Baseball · Team defence & relays · Throwing

Infield-outfield pre-game routine

A brisk, set routine before games: outfielders throw to the bases and home, then infielders field and throw to first, turn double plays and charge slow rollers.

COCF11B2BSS3BLFCFRF
Start / 6
Time
15 min
Players
9–16
Age
U12+
Area
Full field
Equipment
12 baseballs4 bases1 fungo bat1 bucket1 catcher's helmet with mask

Setup

  1. Run this only after the team's full dynamic warm-up and throwing programme, so arms are ready for hard throws.
  2. Full defence in position without a pitcher (pitchers warm up in the bullpen with their own catcher in full gear). Spare players stand behind a position and rotate in.
  3. The coach hits from beside home plate. A feeder stands behind and to the side of the catcher, out of the swing, handing balls to the coach.
  4. The catcher wears a helmet and mask throughout, because they are close to the fungo and taking hard throws.
  5. Keep one ball live at a time: the coach hits only when the previous throw has been caught.

How it runs

  1. Outfield first: two ground balls to each outfielder. Left fielder throws to second, then third; centre fielder to second, then home; right fielder to third, then home. Cut-off players line up for every throw home.
  2. Infield round one ('get one'): ground balls to third, short, second and first in turn, each throwing to first. First baser throws home after each catch.
  3. Round two ('two'): double plays from each position, with the second baser and shortstop taking the pivots.
  4. Round three ('in'): the infield plays in and throws home; the catcher throws back to the base the ball came from.
  5. Last round: slow rollers that each infielder charges and throws to first, then a pop-up the catcher catches. Everyone jogs off together.

Coaching points

  • Keep the tempo high: the next ball goes as soon as the throw is caught. The whole routine should take 10 to 12 minutes.
  • Every throw is a game throw: on a line, chest-high, to the glove side of the base.
  • Outfielders: charge the ball, field it outside the glove foot and throw on one hop to the base, through the cut-off's head.
  • Infielders: talk on every ball, e.g. 'Two!' 'One!' 'Home!', so the routine builds game communication.
  • Catcher: give a big target and call cut-offs on throws home, just like in a game.
  • Set a number of throws and stick to it. This is about sharpness, not volume; arms need to be fresh for the game.

Common mistakes

  • Lobbing throws because it's 'just warm-up'.
  • Two balls live at once and fielders getting hit by a second ball.
  • Feeder or spare players standing close to the fungo swing.
  • Too many reps, so arms are tired before the first pitch.
  • Players unsure of the order, so the routine drags.

Say it: “Every throw a game throw.”

Make it harder

  • Time the whole routine and try to beat it with no dropped balls.
  • The coach calls a situation before each ball (e.g. 'runner on second, one out').
  • Add a runner in a helmet on some outfield throws so the cut-off calls are live.

Make it easier

  • Infield rounds only, with ground balls rolled rather than hit.
  • Outfielders throw to a cut-off player only, not all the way to the base.
  • Walk through the order once at training before using it on game day.

Pairs well with

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.