Force out or tag?

Setup

1. Fielders at first, second, shortstop and third. Everyone else is a runner, in a helmet with a face guard, waiting behind home.
2. Coach stands at home with a bucket of balls. A runner stands beside the coach as the batter.
3. Explain the rule first: a runner is forced when the batter, or the runner behind, needs their base. Forced runner: step on the base. Not forced: tag the runner.
4. Runners jog (no sprinting and no sliding), and fielders tag gently below the waist with the ball held in the glove.

How it runs

1. The coach places runners on the bases, says the situation (“Runner on first”) and rolls a ground ball to a fielder.
2. The batter runs to first; runners decide to run or stay, or the coach tells them.
3. The fielder shouts “Force!” or “Tag!” before making the play, then steps on the base or tags the runner.
4. Fielding team scores a point for the right call and a point for the play. Runners score a point for each safe base.
5. After six balls, swap: fielders become runners. Rotate fielding positions every turn.

Coaching points

• Before every ball, fielders ask: where are the runners, and who has to run?
• Batter's ball on the ground: the batter must run, so first base is always a force.
• Runner on first: the batter forces them to second. Runner on second with first empty: no force, so tag.
• On a force, step on the base with the foot and catch the ball; no need to chase the runner.
• On a tag, hold the ball in the glove with the throwing hand over it and tag low.
• Fielders without the ball stay out of the runner's way (obstruction).

Common mistakes

• Chasing a forced runner instead of stepping on the base.
• Stepping on the base when the runner wasn't forced.
• Tagging with the empty glove while the ball is in the other hand.
• Fielders standing in the base path without the ball.
• Runners sprinting into fielders; this game is played at a jog.