RUNDOWNS: SNARING THE TRAPPED RUNNER (PART II)

RUNDOWN DRILLS: PROGRESSION

TWO MAN DRILL

1. To teach the chaser the stiff wrist "dart toss" throw.
2. To teach the receiver how to ask for the ball by having him simultaneously step forward and yell "NOW!"

1. Divide team into groups of two players.
2. Have players face each other fifteen feet apart.
3. One player has a baseball and is the chaser.
4. One player is the receiver.
5. Chaser holds ball in throwing position and on the receivers command "NOW" moves forward, makes a soft shoulder high "dart toss" to the receiver.
6. Receiver holds his glove shoulder high and simultaneously takes a step forward and yells "NOW!"
7. Players reverse position the receiver becomes the chaser and drill continues back and forth until coach says, "STOP!"

FOUR MAN DRILL

1. To run at the trapped base runner full speed.
2. To keep his arm up, cocked and in throwing position.
3. To make "dart tosses" and nice light shoulder high throws.
4. To rotate to the right after making throw.

1. To have his hands up ready to receive the ball.
2. To simultaneously move aggressively forward toward the runner and to yell "NOW!"

1. Form two lines facing each other sixty feet apart.
2. Two players in each line.
3. Place a pylon or other marker at thirty feet, halfway between the two lines
4. Front man in one of the lines has the baseball and is the chaser.
5. Front man in opposite line is the receiver.
6. Chaser runs full speed toward the receiver in the opposite line holding the baseball correctly and makes a "dart toss" to the receiver when receiver says "NOW!"
7. Chaser rotates to his right after throw and goes to the end of the line.
8. Receiver has his hands up in receiving position, moves forward aggressively, and calls for the ball by saying "NOW!" as the chaser reaches the pylon.
9. Receiver becomes the chaser after receiving the throw and drill continues until coach stops it.

RUNDOWN SIMULATION DRILL

1. To teach the chaser to run full speed, with arm in throwing position and to make accurate chest high "dart tosses" to the receiver.
2. To teach the receiver to ask for the ball at the appropriate time and to simultaneously step forward and yell NOW!

1. Place two infielders at third base to act as the receivers.
2. Receiver should be approximately five feet in front of third base.
3. Players take turns acting as the receiver.
4. Place a pylon thirty feet from third base, on the foul line toward home plate, to act as a "release point."
5. Chasers line up at home plate facing third base.
1. Each has a baseball.
2. Left-handers line up on the left side of the foul line.
3. Right-handers line up on the right side of the foul line.
4. Chasers are approximately three feet to their side of the foul line.
5. Chaser holds the ball in the throwing position and runs full speed toward third base.
6. Receiver asks for the ball when the chaser reaches the pylon
7. Receiver steps forward and yells NOW! Hands are held shoulder high in receiving position.
8. Chaser makes a soft light "dart toss" to the receiver and rotates right.
9. Receiver simulates a tag and flips the ball back to the chaser.
10. Chaser returns to home plate to the end of the line.
6. Second chaser and second receiver wait until after the chaser has gotten the ball back before taking their turn.
7. Be sure to rotate new receivers into the drill after a prescribed number of times, usually six to ten, so that all players have been both chasers and receivers.

CIRCLE RUNDOWN DRILL

This drill is an extension of the RUNDOWN Simulation Drill.

PURPOSE: To practice proper mechanics of the RUNDOWN situation.

PROCEDURES:

1. Place a receiver at third, second, and first bases.
2. Place a pylon thirty feet from each base to act as a release point.
3. Chasers are at home plate.
4. Give each chaser a ball.
5. Chaser runs full speed toward third base with baseball in throwing position.
6. Receiver makes an aggressive step forward and says "NOW" when the chaser reaches the pylon - receiver keys on the pylon.
7. Chaser throws to the receiver on command "NOW!"
8. Receiver returns baseball to the chaser who continues on to second base and then first base, repeating proper RUNDOWN mechanics at each base.
9. Chaser and receiver should rotate after a prescribed number of RUNDOWNS so that all players practice chaser and receiver skills.

LIVE RUNDOWN DRILL

PURPOSE:

1. To teach the infielders to properly execute and implement RUNDOWN mechanics in a game like situation.
2. To give infielders practice in defending the RUNDOWN situation between first and second bases.
3. To give infielders practice in defending the RUNDOWN situation between third base and home plate.

1. Two RUNDOWN situations are practiced at one time.
2. Place an infielder at each position except two players are needed at shortstop.
3. Place pitchers in mound area.
4. Each pitcher has a baseball.
5. Catcher behind home plate.
6. Outfielders act as runners at first or third base.
7. Place two pylons as reference/release points (away from the baseline) between first and second bases and between third base and home plate at thirty-foot intervals.
   

   

   RUNDOWN BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND BASES.
   PITCHER - FIRST BASEMAN - SHORTSTOP - SECOND BASEMAN
   

8. Pitcher steps on mound, picks runner off first base, and the RUNDOWN begins between first and second base.
1. Pitcher: Backs up first base.
2. Shortstop: Covers second base on inside/third base side of the base...left foot on or near inside of base. This gives the first baseman an unobstructed path for his throw to second base if runner breaks "full speed."
3. Second Baseman: Rotates to first base.
1. Steps to meet baseball and clears to the inside of the diamond by using a "cross-back step" if runner breaks full speed for second base.
2. Throws to the shortstop before runner reaches last pylon...Thirty feet from second base or sooner...halfway...NEVER CHASE A RUNNER PAST THE LAST PYLON BEFORE THROWING THE BALL.
   RUNDOWN BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND BASES.
   PITCHER - FIRST BASEMAN - SHORTSTOP - SECOND BASEMAN
   

After the first pitcher completes his pick off at first base, the next pitcher steps on the mound and picks the runner off third base using his third base pick off move and the RUNDOWN begins.

1. Pitcher: Backs up home plate.
2. Shortstop: Covers third base.
3. Third Baseman:
   1. Receives pick off throw from pitcher. If runner breaks "full speed" for home plate, clears himself to the inside of the diamond by taking a step into the diamond with his left foot and making a "cross-back step" with his right foot.
   2. He then throws immediately to the catcher.
   3. Third baseman never allows the runner to get closer to home plate than thirty feet (last pylon) before throwing the ball...TOO SOON rather than TOO LATE!
4. Catcher: Covers home plate by moving in front of home plate to the inside of the diamond to receive the third baseman's throw if runner makes an all out break for home plate. Never allows the runner to get closer to home plate than thirty feet (30'), the last pylon, without asking for the ball.
5. Alternate shortstops so they can practice both situations...first and second base rundowns/third base and home plate.
6. Pitchers should alternate between pick offs at first and third bases.

1. This often occurs during a RUNDOWN.
2. Two base runners will occupy the same base.
3. The base runner closer to home plate is safe.
4. The back runner is out if tagged with the ball.
5. Tag both runners!
   1. Tell front-runner, who is safe - "you are out!"
   2. If he steps off the base, tag him again.
   3. You've got a double play!

RUNDOWNS CONCLUSION

When there are runners on first and third bases, there are no outs or one out, and the offensive team attempts a double steal. The runner on first base breaks for second base and is trapped between first and second bases.

The runner on third base does not break for home plate on the catcher's throw to second base but hopes to score at an opportune moment during the RUNDOWN between first and second bases.

In this situation (less than two outs), many coaches choose to "walk" the trapped base runner back to first base. The rationale for this "WALKING DEFENSE" is that it will be very difficult for the runner on third base to know when to make his break for home plate.

The defense is hoping to entice the runner at third base to commit himself. If he reaches "the point of no return," he can be picked off or if he breaks for home plate, he can be thrown out.

Some coaches do not use "THE WALKING DEFENSE" but choose to "RUN HARD AT THE RUNNER" in all situations. You be the judge! Choose the defense that you are more comfortable with and that meets your needs and personnel.

SUMMARY

1. Get the runner going full speed..."RUN RIGHT OVER HIM!"
2. Nice easy "dart tosses!"
3. When the receiver makes his first step forward and says "NOW!" Toss him the ball.
4. Get out of the baseline; avoid the runner, so as not to be called for obstruction.
5. If possible, drive the runner back to his original base.