Baseball Defense Coaching Tips and Strategy

Arizona State Head Coach Pat Murphy On Defense
Hotsed By Jeff Forner
BaseballPlayerUniversity.com


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Baseball - First & Third Double Steal Defensive Strategy

BattingCageDoor.com
Baseball - First & Third Double Steal Defensive Strategy
By Nick Dixon

The "First and Third Double Steal" situation is when the batting team has a base runner at first base and a base runner at third base. Often times the offensive teams will put on a base running play to attempt and confuse, fool, or trick the defensive team into making a mistake that will cost them a run.

Before a team can defend this situation, you must know all variations of plays that an offensive team can employ. The two most common plays used by the offensive team in this situation are, 1) Early break by the first base runner off first to attempt to get in a run down to distract the defense long enough for the 3rd base runner to score. 2) Straight steal of 2nd by the first base runner. If the catcher throws down, the 3rd base runner will go home.

Every team must have a "First & Third Double Steal" defensive plan. Most teams have at least 3 or more defensive plays that they can call and execute to counter the offensive team's actions.

The 4 most common defensive plays for defending the "Double Steal" situation are:


Throw to 2nd base by the catcher with a read and cut action by a middle infielder. The catcher will throw down as usual. The 2nd baseman or shortstop, depending on whether a right-handed or left-handed batter is batting, will come early and get into a position to execute a cut of the throw and a quick throw to home plate if the 3rd base runner attempts to steal home. Most times the cut man will sneak a peek to read the 3rd base runners action or the 3rd baseman will make a loud "CUT!" call to let the middle infielder know to cut the ball because the 3rd base runner to going home. If no cut call is made, the middle infielder will let the ball go through to get the out at 2nd.
A middle infielder comes early and fakes a cut to hold the runner at 3rd base while the runner is tagged out at 2nd base.
The catcher will make a quick throw to the pitcher that will immediately checks the runner at 3rd to try and pick the runner off or get him out while attempting to steal home.
The catcher will make a full-arm fake to 2nd base and then makes a snap throw to 3rd in an attempt to catch the 3rd base off the bag far enough to get an out.

Coaching Points:


If a tag is made at 2nd base, the middle infielder must make a swipe tag and come up checking the runner at third. Sometimes the runner at third will make a late decision to break for home when he sees a play being made on the runner at 2nd base.
When the catcher executes the full arm fake and throw to 3rd, he must come out in front of the plate a step or two to make sure that the throw will clear the runner.
If a throw is going to be made to 2nd, sometimes you can hold a runner at third by having the pitcher fake a cut.
When the middle infielder is faking a cut at 2nd, make sure that he comes early enough to clear the throwing lane. This allows the other infielder a clear view of the bad and will not block his vision during the throw.
Remember, when a fake cut call is made at 2nd, you must have the center fielder backing up the throw at 2nd because both infielders are in the box without a back up at 2nd.

I hope that you find this article useful. Have great day, Nick.

There are other calls and variations that I will cover in later articles.

Visit the Baseball Coaching Digest Blog for daily post and articles on every aspect of coaching baseball. The Baseball Coaching Digest Blog. Check out the Bat Action Hitting Machine baseball pitching simulator. This high speed training machine is 100% Guaranteed to raise Batting Averages and has a full year warranty.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_Dixon

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Baseball Tips - Catchers - Where's the Instinct?

Baseball Tips - Catchers - Where's the Instinct?
By Chico Reese

Sometimes I'll be watching a game and one of the teams has a pretty darn good catcher. I mean, he has a cannon for an arm, good size, quick feet back there, blocks real good, and on and on.

But little things happen in games with guys like these and I sit there scratching my head thinking, "Why didn't he do this? Or, why didn't he do that? Or, he had him there if he would have just thrown it!" There can be a small list of these things that this "pretty darn good" catcher does, or doesn't do. It's only recently that I think I realize why I see this type of thing today.

Think back, you older guys, when your video game was Pong, or at the best, the original Atari. There were no computers (and, no Instant Messenger, thank God!), no cell phones, no X-Box 360 and so on. What did we do, besides have to cut the grass? Well, we played baseball, softball and sometimes football in the same day. We did this day in and day out and still had baseball games at night. We developed many baseball "instincts", even as small kids. Kids don't play pickup games in neighborhoods anymore. It's all organized now, down to the smallest details.

Years ago, even though kids didn't play as many organized games, I think on the average kids played more baseball. As they grew older, they developed many instincts...things that tell you to throw or not, in a split second. Catchers knew how to read batters. They knew how to read runners and remember that #14 always looked down when he started back to first as soon as he saw the catcher's hand go up and start to throw back to the pitcher. Catchers knew when they had to trot out to the mound and say some bad, goofy stuff to make the pitcher laugh a little, just to relax. Many catchers were calling their own pitches at thirteen.

Today, this seems to be less and less. Catchers are more like wind up dolls. Just go and watch a game today, even older kids. You'll see catchers looking into the dugout after every pitch, looking for the next sign and pitch to call. Many times they're clueless why some of these are called. It's like a wireless video game for the coaches sitting on the buckets near the on-deck circle. And to make matters worse, after every pitch, what do you usually hear? You hear two or three coaches yapp'in away at the catcher, the pitcher and the infielders given multiple instructions and demands. It's a puppet show at times...not a baseball game.

Players attempt pickoffs when told to, or if some play is on. If they do it on their own and they throw the ball away, you'll hear, "Hey! What was that? Did I call that? Let's go!" So much for instincts. Won't do that again.

I'm not saying catchers today are no good. I actually think they are way better than in the past in most cases. I'll see many that are more trained in throwing and blocking than years ago. Hitting, well I just think players today are way better hitters than hitters in the past. Kids today are more exposed to different baseball training methods and different baseball drills. They get much more instruction and therefore are more skilled than kids years ago.

It's those little things that they don't have as much as players did in the past. Those little things are instincts. I guess they eventually get them, but just at an older age.

There are coaches out there that encourage the catcher to think on his own given different situations. You can always correct and teach later. This is commendable as it doesn't happen very often anymore. In time, you and he will think alike and you'll see him grow into a smart catcher, not a wind up doll looking for the next instruction.

Maybe some of the coaches out there can let their catchers and other players work on developing some of their own instincts at times. There might be a game that you know you are going to win or a game where the score indicates that you can maybe let the catcher try to call pitches, encourage the infielders to communicate among themselves and try to set some things up on their own. Let them take control. Let them be responsible for what happens on the field. They'll make mistakes, sure. But that's when you, the coach, come back in for a little word or two and then back out. If things look like they are going the wrong way, then take over again.

You'll see them become smarter players in time. They'll be developing some instincts. They'll think a little more differently and maybe understand why you do some of the things that you do.

Most importantly, they'll look forward to that time in certain games when they're winning enough that you say, "Hey! You guys got it...don't blow it!" They'll have fun...just like we did in the neighborhoods years ago.


Chico Reese has been closely involved in youth baseball, softball and High School Baseball over the last twelve years and enjoys working with young catchers.

For excellent Catching instruction, drills and training, consider the following sources:

Catchers Instruction, Training and Tips

http://baseballcatcher.baseballgloverestore.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chico_Reese

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The Categories they have are: BatAction Hitting Machines, Hurricane Hitting Machines, Batting Cages, Pitching Machines, Jugs Equipment, Game and Practice Baseballs, Protective Practice Screens and Nets, Portable Pitching Mounds, Baseball DVDs & Books, Clearance Items on Sales, NEDCO Bataction Replacement Parts, Baseball Training Equipment, Youth Baseball Training Equipment, Training Bats, Pitching & Throwing Trainers, Defensive Trainers, SKLZ Hurricane Replacement Parts and Much Much More! Visit Baseball2U.com today!

Baseball - First & Third Double Steal Defensive Strategy

By Nick Dixon

The "First and Third Double Steal" situation is when the batting team has a base runner at first base and a base runner at third base. Often times the offensive teams will put on a base running play to attempt and confuse, fool, or trick the defensive team into making a mistake that will cost them a run.

Before a team can defend this situation, you must know all variations of plays that an offensive team can employ. The two most common plays used by the offensive team in this situation are, 1) Early break by the first base runner off first to attempt to get in a run down to distract the defense long enough for the 3rd base runner to score. 2) Straight steal of 2nd by the first base runner. If the catcher throws down, the 3rd base runner will go home.

Every team must have a "First & Third Double Steal" defensive plan. Most teams have at least 3 or more defensive plays that they can call and execute to counter the offensive team's actions.

The 4 most common defensive plays for defending the "Double Steal" situation are:


Throw to 2nd base by the catcher with a read and cut action by a middle infielder. The catcher will throw down as usual. The 2nd baseman or shortstop, depending on whether a right-handed or left-handed batter is batting, will come early and get into a position to execute a cut of the throw and a quick throw to home plate if the 3rd base runner attempts to steal home. Most times the cut man will sneak a peek to read the 3rd base runners action or the 3rd baseman will make a loud "CUT!" call to let the middle infielder know to cut the ball because the 3rd base runner to going home. If no cut call is made, the middle infielder will let the ball go through to get the out at 2nd.
A middle infielder comes early and fakes a cut to hold the runner at 3rd base while the runner is tagged out at 2nd base.
The catcher will make a quick throw to the pitcher that will immediately checks the runner at 3rd to try and pick the runner off or get him out while attempting to steal home.
The catcher will make a full-arm fake to 2nd base and then makes a snap throw to 3rd in an attempt to catch the 3rd base off the bag far enough to get an out.

Coaching Points:


If a tag is made at 2nd base, the middle infielder must make a swipe tag and come up checking the runner at third. Sometimes the runner at third will make a late decision to break for home when he sees a play being made on the runner at 2nd base.
When the catcher executes the full arm fake and throw to 3rd, he must come out in front of the plate a step or two to make sure that the throw will clear the runner.
If a throw is going to be made to 2nd, sometimes you can hold a runner at third by having the pitcher fake a cut.
When the middle infielder is faking a cut at 2nd, make sure that he comes early enough to clear the throwing lane. This allows the other infielder a clear view of the bad and will not block his vision during the throw.
Remember, when a fake cut call is made at 2nd, you must have the center fielder backing up the throw at 2nd because both infielders are in the box without a back up at 2nd.

I hope that you find this article useful. Have great day, Nick.

There are other calls and variations that I will cover in later articles.

Visit the Baseball Coaching Digest for daily post and articles on every aspect of coaching baseball. The Baseball Coaching Digest Blog. Check out the Bat Action Hitting Machine baseball pitching simulator. This high speed training machine is 100% Guaranteed to raise Batting Averages and has a full year warranty. Check out Baseball2u.com/Coachesbest.com for all of your coaching and training equipment needs. Visit the Baseball Dealz Ebay Super Store to purchase top quality baseball training equipment at discount prices.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_Dixon