Double play feeds and pivots

Setup

1. Use an infield with first and second base. Put a double (safety) first base down if your competition uses one.
2. Fielders at shortstop, second base and first base; spare infielders line up behind each position. A pitcher stands in the circle as a target and to duck under throws.
3. A runner in a helmet stands on first and a batter-runner in a helmet waits beside home plate, clear of the coach's swing.
4. The coach hits ground balls from beside home plate. A catcher in a helmet and mask collects throws back to the coach.

How it runs

1. The coach hits a ground ball to the shortstop or the second baser. Both runners go on contact.
2. The fielder who gets the ball feeds the middle infielder covering second: an underhand toss when close, a firm chest-high throw from further away.
3. The pivot player takes the throw with a foot on the base, steps off to the side out of the runner's path and throws to first.
4. The first baser stretches to the throw for the second out. The batter-runner runs through the orange half of a double base where one is used.
5. Five balls to the shortstop, five to the second baser, then rotate positions and runners.

Coaching points

• Feeder: field the ball first. One sure out beats two rushed ones.
• Feeder: show the ball to the pivot player early, then feed it to the chest, not the feet.
• Under about 3 metres away, use a firm underhand flip and follow it; further away, turn and throw.
• Pivot player: get to the base early, hands up as a target, then shuffle across or step back off the bag before throwing.
• Pivot player: clear the runner's path after the touch. A runner sliding in should never meet a planted fielder.
• First baser: stretch towards the throw only once you know where it is going.

Common mistakes

• Rushing the ground ball and booting it while thinking about the double play.
• Pivot player arriving late and catching the ball on the run, off balance.
• Standing on top of second, in the path of the incoming runner.
• Throwing to first across the runner's body at head height instead of stepping clear first.
• Runners leaving before the ball is hit in live reps.