Backing up

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Oct 10, 2011
1,572
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Pacific Northwest
For OUTFIELD backing up, I hit infield practice. I have 3 coaches in the outfield, behind/besides the outfielders, 2 base coaches, i hit. i rotate through the outfield, 1 at a time so they all learn every spot in the outfield.


On the 7th or 8th pitch, you can see my right fielder break to first on the hit to 3rd.
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or not, it afacebook link.
 
Aug 21, 2011
1,345
38
38°41'44"N 121°9'47.5"W
Did you get that from me? :) I have something similar, down to the little box that spells out each responsibility by position. Not sure it covers every single situation, but it covered a bunch until I got tired of making them. :)

No. I got them from an old coach in our organization and then digitalized them. I do have yours, though.
 
Nov 8, 2014
182
0
My advice is to not overthink it, especially with 12U. But a couple things are absolutely true and most youth players are never taught it. Once a ball is hit to the outfield, there will NEVER be a play at first (edited to say there will be the extremely rare force at first on hard shots to right). get the first baseman into the infield for a cut or a back up. And in 43 years of playing or coaching on a diamond, I have never seen a play on the mound or in the circle. GET THE PITCHER TO MOVE and go back up somewhere. Teach those two things first.
 
May 6, 2015
2,397
113
I would want P to backup 3B or HP, depending on where the lead BR is headed to. Then, once ball is in IF, it should go to 3B or C (with P backing them up), then 3B or C puts ball in P's glove (no throw), and they return to circle (keeping eye on lead runner at all times).

However, with my 10u team, with two Ps basically pitching for first time, I am not overly concerned with this yet. do not want to overwhelm them, they need to focus on pitching. maybe as this season goes on.
 
Nov 8, 2014
182
0
However, with my 10u team, with two Ps basically pitching for first time, I am not overly concerned with this yet. do not want to overwhelm them, they need to focus on pitching. maybe as this season goes on.

No no no. 10U is the exact age when they REALLY NEED to back up third. Keep those balls in play. 10U third basemen let way too many balls get past. You have to back it up by the pitcher. everytime.
 
May 6, 2015
2,397
113
my point is I cannot overwhelm them, right now, each pitcher has about 6-7 innings of experience total in the circle. focus is on throwing strikes. we do tell them where to backup and cover HP as needed in games, just not a focus in practice right now. Only so much time, and would rather have them practice mechanics while supervised for 30 minutes a week. One girl is taking a small (about the length of her foot) stride off the mound with her right foot prior to her real stride with her left. hasn't been an issue so far, as other teams have had worse issues (at this age, when looking at opposing pitcher, most coaches are just praying for a girl who throws a few strikes), but want to correct it before it goes to far. simply a matter of priorities. so much to cover, so little time.
 
Jun 11, 2013
2,624
113
After you teach them make sure they continue to do it in the games. If you have a couple of coaches have one monitor and communicate with OF during the game. Make sure they are backing up every play or it will cost you a game someday.
 

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