Power slap and short-game options

Setup

1. A coach or pitcher throws from behind an L-screen at your competition's distance. The screen covers the thrower's follow-through side.
2. Slappers bat from the left-handed box in helmets with face guards. Others wait well behind the backstop or fence, never near the box.
3. Defence: catcher in full gear, first base, second base, shortstop and third base. Corner infielders should wear fielder face masks; they play close to a batter swinging hard.
4. Before you start, check your competition's rules on the batter's box: the batter is out if they hit the ball with a foot fully outside the box or touching home plate.

How it runs

1. Every slapper gets a set of 6 to 8 live pitches. On each one the slapper uses a crossover start towards the pitcher and stays in the box until contact.
2. The coach tells the corners where to play before each pitch: back, halfway or charging. The slapper reads them during the approach.
3. Corners charging: power slap. Drive the ball hard on a line or one hop through the hole between third and short, or over the drawn-in third baseman.
4. Corners back: short game. Drag bunt down the third-base line or soft slap (chop) the ball into the ground in front of the plate and run.
5. Corners halfway: soft slap to the left side, where the shortstop has the longest throw.
6. Every ball is played live to first base; the batter runs through first. Track outcomes: safe, out, or wrong choice.

Coaching points

• The approach looks the same for every option; the defence should not know until the bat moves.
• Power slap: hands inside the ball, short hitting stride, hips through, and finish towards the shortstop.
• Soft slap: keep the barrel above the hands and chop down on the top half of the ball.
• Drag bunt: catch the ball on the bat, deaden it and get out of the box, without stepping out before contact.
• Read the third baseman's first step as the pitcher releases. A third baseman leaning in gives up the hole.
• Fielders: the first baseman and third baseman work together; whoever does not field covers or stays on the base.

Common mistakes

• Running before the bat touches the ball, so contact is weak or the foot leaves the box (an out).
• Choosing the option before the pitch and ignoring what the corners show.
• Power slap with a long swing, so the ball is late and fouled away.
• Bunting the ball too hard straight to the pitcher.
• First baseman blocking the base path while waiting for the throw (obstruction).