Pickoffs and back-picks

Setup

1. Pitcher, catcher in full gear, first base, second base, shortstop and third base. A stand-in batter in a helmet stands in the box without swinging.
2. Runners in helmets start on first and later on third. They may leave the base only when the pitch is released.
3. Agree the pickoff signs between catcher and fielders: one sign for the play on, one for the base. Most teams use a glove or hand sign from the fielder, answered by the catcher.
4. Remind everyone of the look-back rule (check your competition's rules): once the pitcher has the ball in the circle, a runner off the base must go straight back or straight on, without stopping.

How it runs

1. Back-pick to first: on the sign, the first baseman charges as if for a bunt and the second baseman sneaks in behind to cover first. The catcher receives the pitch and throws to the bag as the runner drifts too far.
2. Back-pick to third: the third baseman fakes a charge and returns, or the shortstop sneaks in behind; the catcher throws behind the runner.
3. Runners take aggressive leads off the pitch and must read the play: get back on a back-pick, stay when the catcher holds the ball.
4. Run 5 reps at first, 5 at third, then switch catchers and runners.
5. Mix in 'no play' reps where the sign is off and the catcher just returns the ball to the pitcher, so runners cannot guess.

Coaching points

• Catcher: stay low until the ball is in the glove, then throw from the knees or a short pop-up; the throw is short and must be quick.
• Throw to the bag at knee height on the outfield side of the base, so the tag comes straight down.
• Against a right-handed batter the throw to first is clear; against a left-handed batter, step behind or in front to clear the lane.
• Covering fielder: arrive at the bag as the pitch reaches the plate, not earlier. Arriving early tips the play.
• No ball, no block: the covering fielder sets up beside the base and leaves the runner a path until the ball arrives. Blocking without the ball is obstruction.
• Tag low and let the runner slide into it; avoid collisions.

Common mistakes

• Covering fielder drifts in early and the runner sees it.
• Catcher throws before securing the pitch and drops it.
• Throw into the runner's back because the catcher did not clear the lane.
• Fielder standing on the base path without the ball (obstruction).
• Runner turns their back on the catcher after the pitch and gets picked.