Relays and cut-offs

Setup

1. Full defence if you have the numbers; at least LF, CF, SS, 2B, 3B, 1B and a pitcher.
2. A batter-runner in a helmet waits beside home plate, clear of the coach's swing.
3. The coach hits or throws balls into the gaps from home plate. A catcher in a helmet and mask collects throws at home.

How it runs

1. The coach hits a ball into the left-centre gap. The batter-runner runs on contact and tries for third.
2. The nearest outfielder chases it; the other outfielder backs up. The shortstop runs out towards the ball as the relay player, arms up.
3. The outfielder picks up the ball and throws to the relay player's glove-side shoulder.
4. The relay player catches, turns to the glove side and throws to third, where the third baser takes the tag. The pitcher backs up third.
5. The second baser covers second and calls the base the relay should throw to. Rotate outfielders and relay players every few balls; hit to right-centre so the second baser becomes the relay.

Coaching points

• Outfielder: get to the ball fast, field it cleanly, then throw on a line, one hop at most.
• Relay player: go out only as far as the outfielder can reach with a strong, flat throw.
• Relay player: hands up and shout 'Here! Here!' so the outfielder finds you.
• Relay player: turn the glove-side shoulder towards the target before the catch, so you catch and throw in one motion.
• Infielder at the base: call where the throw goes, e.g. 'Three! Three!' or 'Hold it!'.
• Tagging fielder: straddle or stand beside the base, never in the runner's path. Take the throw, then tag low.

Common mistakes

• Relay player too deep, so the outfielder's throw dies in the air.
• Relay player catching flat-footed and turning the wrong way.
• Outfielder throwing over the relay player's head to try to reach the base.
• Nobody backing up third, so a wild throw lets the run score.
• Fielder without the ball standing on the base line, blocking the runner (obstruction).