Defending 1St and 3Rd Plays Pickoffs and Steals

www.softballexcellence.com eClinic 008 - Defending 1st and 3rd Plays, Pickoffs & Steals

STOP THE MADNESS – Defending 1st & 3rd Plays, Pickoffs and Steals

Cindy Bristow Softball Excellence www.softballexcellence.com [email protected]

GENERAL COMMENTS:

Plan for What You CAN vs. What You Can’t Can throw & catch vs. Can’t hit Can hit vs. Can’t pitch Stop Opponent’s MAIN Thing, Not Everything Great slappers and good hitters Winners Think – Screamers Panic

Coach THIS Team, Not Your Fantasy Team!*

GENERAL STRATEGY THINGS TO KNOW:

Can They Hit Your Pitcher? Who Hits and Who Runs? Don’t Let Their Best Player Beat You Watch What They’re Good At and Stop It! If You Can Out Hit Them, Do It Now! Win the Battle of the Count When Outs Matter More than Bases or Runs No Out? Then NO Throw

GENERAL STRATEGY, cont

Can They Hit Your Pitcher? If YES, then: Prepare for lots of relays, cuts & fielding chances Infield and Outfield will play back more Know how hard and where? (put your players there) Make them hit the ball on the ground If NO, then: Prepare for the short game of bunts, steals, slaps Infield and Outfield will play in more

GENERAL STRATEGY, cont.

Who Hits & Who Runs? Force the Ones that Hit to Hit on the Ground Keep the Ones that Run Off the Bases General Rule of Thumb: Force Speed to Hit in the Air Force Power to Hit on the Ground*

GENERAL STRATEGY, cont.

Don’t Let Their Best Player Beat You Every Team Has One, Let the Others Beat You!

GENERAL STRATEGY, cont.

Watch What They’re Good At & Stop It! Avoid Throwing their Favorite Pitch or Location If they like Fast, throw slow If they like Low, throw high If they like High, throw low Watch What They Like & Don’t Throw It! Warm-up swings

GENERAL STRATEGY, cont

If You Can Out Hit Them, Do it Now! Anything Can Happen in Extra Innings or Tie-Breaker Win in 7 if You Can – don’t leave it up to your defense

GENERAL STRATEGY, cont.

Outs Matter MORE than Bases or Runs, when: You have a BIG lead – AND It’s LATE in the game – AND Your Pitcher is in command

123 OUTS

Don’t Give Up an Out to Go 60’ Unless it’s the BEST Way!

GENERAL STRATEGY, cont.

Win the Battle of the Count Get Ahead, Stay Ahead If Behind – Get to Even If Even – Get Ahead If Ahead – Stay Ahead Win the 1-1 Count 1-1

Ball Strike 2-1 1-2 .338 .172

GENERAL STRATEGY, cont.

No Out, then No Throw No Throw if: Runner is 3 feet or less from base 3 Count (or steps) or more to get to ball (infielders)

3 feet or Less

THE 3 B’s of DEFENSIVE COVERAGE

Ball Base Backup

DEFENSIVE SETS (or Coverages)

Before Each Pitch You Position Your 9 Defensive Players A Defensive Position to Prevent a Specific Offensive Play is called a “Set, or Coverage” Each Defensive Set has it’s own Strengths & Weaknesses Defensive Sets/Coverages Allow You to Place Players to: Cover certain areas of the infield Defend again steals, bunts & slaps Let players cover bases by relieving them of covering bunts or steals Let players cover the batter by relieving them of covering bases Make up for team or player weaknesses Positives About Having Specific Sets or Coverages: Players play in certain positions based on the name Easier to remember Provides more structure*

TYPES OF DEFENSIVE SETS/COVERAGES

Set Name: CONE

CF LF RF SS 2B

P 3B 1B

TYPES OF DEFENSIVE SETS/COVERAGES

Set Name: 1 BACK

CF LF RF SS 2B

P 3B 1B

TYPES OF DEFENSIVE SETS/COVERAGES

Set Name: 3 BACK

CF LF RF SS 2B

P 3B 1B

1st & 3rd’S – OFFENSIVE POINT OF VIEW

Offensively Nothing More Than a Steal Play: Single Steal Play - Runner at 1st to 3rd Runner at 3rd to Home Double Steal Play - Both Runners try to steal either immediately or delayed

1st & 3rd’s DEFENSIVE OPTIONS

Call a Play: Throw to 3rd, throw to 2nd, throw to cutoff, throw to 2B inline Encourage Or Discourage Them To Do Something Play back & encourage a bunt Play up and discourage a bunt (& force them to hit) Simply React to What They Do Can be a late response since offense is in charge

1st & 3rd’S DEFENSIVE OPTIONS, cont.

Make them Hit or Bunt (vs steal) if: Your pitcher is dominating Your defense can’t throw & catch too good under pressure There’s a weak batter up and/or on-deck The Runner at 1st isn’t important*

1st & 3rd’S DEFENSIVE OPTIONS, cont.

Be Aggressive & Try to Get the Runners if: You know what they’ll do & can stop it Runner takes a big lead or not paying attention (pickoff) There’s a weak batter up and/or on-deck The Runner at 1st isn’t important*

THE RUNDOWN

1st & 3rd’s Are Nothing More Than Rundowns! Rundown Basics: SPRINT at the runner instead of just jogging at her Use a dart throw from the elbow for toss to teammate Fake works only if runner is looking at player with ball Follow your throw to next base (instead of back-peddling) Know how you’re going to handle throws to the next base vs. allowing an extra throw. Find and Fill’

PRACTICING RUNDOWNS

Eyes on Your Runner When You Have Ball Teammates Have Eyes on Runner at 3rd ALL Call the Distance: “Quarter, Quarter, Quarter” No response, just FYI “Half, Half, Half” RUN straight at runner “HOME! HOME! HOME!” THROW IT HOME

1/4 HOME 1/2

1st & 3rd COVERAGE

SS must play STRENGTHS: Set Name: 2B ACROSS batter for a possible hit and • Kind of covers also cover 2nd for everything CF possible steal

LF RF WEAKNESS: 2B reads • Can’t hold the rd SS R at 3 . runners When to Use: 2B If breaks - The offense is for home • Vulnerable to expected to hit 2B cuts bunt (especially st away. (keeps SS P & throws down 1 baseline) Home, if positioned for hit) • 2B must read R 3B not & R - You don’t know 1B at 3rd. what the offense at 2 has planned & steals 2B • SS must play you want to be lets batter for a hit and prepared for throw go R’s for a steal through. anything. C • It’s reactive © Softball Excellence All Rights Reserved

1st & 3rd COVERAGE

SS must play batter STRENGTHS: Set Name: 2B INLINE for a possible hit & then covers 3rd to • Good bunt keep R at 3 close coverage CF When to Use: • Protects against -The offense R1 going part way. wants to use the LF RF trail runner as a • 2B moving in decoy having her SS 2B 2B steps direction of throw get caught in a into & can play hits, rundown. baseline to bunts and Runner - Batter walks receive at 1 - 2B needs to be P throw from in position to catcher WEAKNESS: 3B based on handle a hit, 1B •2nd on straight how fast & cover a bunt, or steal receive a throw how far the from the catcher Runner at • 2B must have a st & return throw to 1 goes quick release & a st the plate. C beyond 1 . good arm © Softball Excellence All Rights Reserved

1st & 3rd COVERAGE

SS plays more toward STRENGTHS: Set Name: 3 BACK middle & must play • Can still use 2B When to Use: batter for a possible hit & then covers 2nd for as a cut - You think CF they’ll hit away, steal •Can hold R3 or good hitter RF • 2B & SS can play up. LF the batter - Righty up. SS - Batter walks 2B 2B plays -bunt/squeeze deeper & WEAKNESS: isn’t much of an toward 1B option; 2 strikes, for hit and • Can’t hold R1 or 2 outs, 3B P toward 1st • Weak to bunt offense is down 1B to cover down 3B by a bunch with 1st to hold a few outs left. runner & • Harder for 2B for who must read - faking them out Pitchout possible bunt or cut to setup a or outside bunt . squeeze play on pitch (rh C PO hitter) © Softball Excellence All Rights Reserved

1st & 3rd COVERAGE

SS must play STRENGTHS: Set Name: 1 BACK batter for a possible rd • Can still have When to Use: hit & then cover 3 steal or hold - You think to keep R at 3 close CF options from 2B they’ll hit away, or good lefty LF RF • Can hold R1 hitter up. • SS can play the - Lefty up 2B steps batter and hold R3 - Batter walks 2B into - Bunt/squeeze SS baseline to WEAKNESS: isn’t much of receive an option; 2 • Weak hold R3 throw from strikes, or 2 P 1B catcher • Weak to bunt outs, offense is 3B based on down 1B down by a how fast & bunch with a • 2B must cover 3 how far the few outs left. things; batter, Inside Runner at - 2B is great at base, cut pitch if 1st goes decisions with lefty up C beyond 1st. good arm. © Softball Excellence All Rights Reserved

1st & 3rd DEFENSIVE OPTIONS & SETS

Batter Walks & Keeps Running to 2B: 2B in Baseline Batter is Very Weak: 1B Back 2 Outs: 3B Back 1 Out: Most Confident Coverage 7th Inning, 1 Out, Score Tied, Batters 3,4,5 Coming Up: 3B Back

PICKOFFS

PICK OFF AT FIRSTBASE to 1B

CF LF RF

SS 2B

Catcher stays down Pitcher faces the P in squat as long as play & looks for a 1B 3B possible to keep rebound off the look as close to runner regular pitch as long as possible

PICKOFFS

PICK OFF AT FIRSTBASE to 2B

CF LF RF

SS 2B

Catcher stays down Pitcher faces the P in squat as long as play & looks for a 1B 3B possible to keep rebound off the look as close to runner regular pitch as long as possible

PICKOFFS

PICK OFF AT SECONDBASE to 2B

LF RF

SS 2B

P Catcher stays down in squat as long as 3B 1B possible to keep look as close to regular pitch as long as possible

PICKOFFS

PICK OFF AT SECONDBASE to CF

CF LF RF

SS 2B

P Catcher stays down in squat as long as 3B 1B possible to keep look as close to regular pitch as long as possible

PICKOFFS

PICK OFF AT THIRDBASE to 3B

CF LF RF

SS 2B

P Catcher stays down 3B in squat as long as 1B possible to keep look as close to regular pitch as long as possible

PICKOFFS

PICK OFF AT THIRDBASE to SS

CF LF RF

SS 2B

P Catcher stays down 3B in squat as long as 1B possible to keep look as close to regular pitch as long as possible

PICKOFFS – PROS & CONS

Pros: Cons: Helps pitcher out of a jam Can throw ball away Gives defense momentum Runner can advance or even Ruins the offenses score momentum Defense can be demoralized Limits big offensive inning Keeps them to shorter leads

WORD OF CAUTION: If pitcher is dominating game, don’t let offense have a chance of scoring by risking a pickoff

STEALS

A 40% Throw-Out Rate on Steals is Considered Excellent on the Highest of Levels Consider Your Likelihood of Throwing Out Runner vs. Likelihood of Getting Batter Out Focus on Greatest Likelihood Keys: Cheat Toward Coverage Slightly in Preparation Beat Runner to Base Stay In Low Receiving Position Set Up with Clear Line for Throw

STEAL COVERAGE – R on 1st , SS COVERS

Set Name: CONE – SS Covers STRENGTHS: • Good Steal Coverage of 2nd by CF SS usually SS covers 2nd LF •Gives Maximum on bunt & RF Bunt Coverage steal so this 2B SS WEAKNESS: coverage is easier. • SS and 2B are Make sure P vulnerable to batter covering their doesn’t hit 3B 1B bases if the batter to SS uses any kind of before slap or fake slap. breaking to cover 2B C

STEAL COVERAGE – R on 1st, 2B COVERS

Set Name: 1 BACK – 2B Covers STRENGTHS: • Let’s 2B get to bag early & play CF up middle LF • Let’s SS play RF more toward 3B 2B covering 2B for a RH pull hitter SS 2nd lets the • Good with 2 SS play strikes over toward 3rd more. P • Offense is down Plus it lets 1B a few runs, or late 2B play up 3B in game with few the middle outs left – so a WEAKNESS: for hits or a bunt isn’t likely & a DP. • Bunt coverage hit is. C • Fake Bunt freezes 2B

STEAL COVERAGE – R on 1st, SS COVERS

Set Name: ALL BACK – SS Covers STRENGTHS: • Let’s fielders play CF back for hit. • Let’s SS play LF RF more up the middle for a lefty pull hitter. 2B SS • Let’s 2B play deeper for lefty pull hitter. 3B P 1B • Put’s middle IF at double-play depth.

STEAL COVERAGE – R on 1st, 2B COVERS

Set Name: ALL BACK – 2B Covers STRENGTHS: • Let’s fielders play CF back for hit • Let’s SS play LF RF more toward 3B for a right-handed 2B pull hitter. SS • Let’s 2B play more up middle for hit and to cover 2B 3B P 1B on steal • Puts middle IF at DP depth.

STEAL COVERAGE – R on 2nd, 3B COVERS

Set Name: CONE - 3B Covers STRENGTHS: • Great Bunt Coverage since CF both corners are in LF RF WEAKNESS: • Covering 3B SS 2B involves decision between 3B & SS rd SS covers 3 based on what if a bunt & batter does fake-bunt- P steal, & 3B 3B 1B • Lack of definite covers 3rd if no coverage of 3B fake bunt & on • Slap/bunt fakes a swing and make the 2B cover miss. 1st. C © Softball Excellence All Rights Reserved

STEAL COVERAGE – R on 1& 2, 3B COVERS

Set Name: 3 BACK - 3B Covers STRENGTHS: • SS is free to play batter. CF • 2 strike or 2 out LF coverage. RF WEAKNESS: SS 2B • Bunt down 3rd baseline. 3B covers 3rd on steal. SS P nd 3B covers 2 on 1B bunt. Pitcher has any bunts on 3rd baseline. C © Softball Excellence All Rights Reserved