12u --- Fake Throw Down To Shortstop --- Like Or Not

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Dec 25, 2015
12
1
12u.....do you like the fake throw down from the catcher to 2nd / SS on a steal from 1 with a girl on 3rd???.....by fake i mean go to the SS.....9/10 times soon as the catcher releases the ball on that throw down the average 3rd base coach will send that runner....but instead of going 2nd go to SS and then she goes home for the easy tag since the runner is to far down the baseline and to committed to the steal to stop.....ive seen this work several times.....just curious if its used a lot or practiced a lot
 
Aug 8, 2010
352
18
It depends on the experience of the players. Won't work in higher level ball. Will work in mid some and lower even more. In 14A where we are currently it wont work that way. The runners are too heads up to it. We will have a play where we actually throw down to the SS to get the runner from 1B. The 2B is reading the runner on 3rd. If they break, the 2B calls "4" and the SS catches the throwdown and immediatley goes to home. If the runner doesn't break the 2B stays quiet and we try to the tag at 2nd, with the SS quickly coming up for a throw home if needed. This can change depending on the value of the runner at 3rd.
 
May 17, 2012
2,804
113
It takes the following to get an out.

Good throw from catcher to SS;
good catch by SS;
good throw (from SS to catcher);
good catch by catcher;
good tag by catcher.

That's a lot of things that have to go right to get that out. It's certainly possible if you have a talented P, SS, and Catcher at 12u, but can you do it consistently.

Try mixing in some pump fakes by the catcher or catcher throw down to 3B. Don't become predictable. Sometimes shoot the runner at 2B.

Also remember from a run expectancy standpoint 1B and 3B vs 2B and 3B is about the same. In other words the only true way to screw that play is is to allow the run to score.
 
Nov 8, 2014
182
0
Of course it takes all the throws and catches, but it can also take one smart fast shortstop to just run STRAIGHT at the runner who is hung up and get her with a tag or little flip to third or home. My preferred play was the quick throw back to pitcher making it look like a throw to second. This pick off is even easier at that level especially with the other kids who think they're base running is faster and smarter than a defense. Those kids are an easy out.
 
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
We try it all the time but rarely pull it off (10U). We did once though. It's fun to watch when it works, IMO. If another team did it to us I'd give them props for pulling it off. A lot has to come together. This one, my DD is at SS and her best friend was catching. How long they've played together is probably a contributing factor for why they were able to make it work.

https://youtu.be/Ar2Lqyr5MhM?t=15
 

JAD

Feb 20, 2012
8,231
38
Georgia
It depends on the experience of the players. Won't work in higher level ball. Will work in mid some and lower even more. In 14A where we are currently it wont work that way. The runners are too heads up to it. We will have a play where we actually throw down to the SS to get the runner from 1B. The 2B is reading the runner on 3rd. If they break, the 2B calls "4" and the SS catches the throwdown and immediatley goes to home. If the runner doesn't break the 2B stays quiet and we try to the tag at 2nd, with the SS quickly coming up for a throw home if needed. This can change depending on the value of the runner at 3rd.

We have F4 break in front of the throw from C to SS covering 2B. F4 has four options based on what the runner at 3B does:
1) let the throw go through to SS trying to get the out at 2nd.
2) cut the throw and snap throw to F5 covering 3B behind the lead runner.
3) cut the throw and throw home if lead runner breaks.
4) cut the throw and hold the ball.
 
Last edited:
Sep 11, 2014
229
0
Pa
I have done it in 12u a few times. We had the throw go to F4 though like JAD said. Our F4 would move up to near the pitcher, catch the ball and immediately throw home when the runner on 3 breaks. We didn't do the other stuff that JAD listed, but I like those options for the older girls. May have to work that into JH practice!
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
Very seldom do we just eat the ball and let the runner go.

On defense and offensive my first thought is always, what are the odds runner on first will make it on a straight Steal?

If I am moving players all over the place throwing to P, SS or 3rd are relatively safe plays. SS needs to be coming in though or it can be a mess really quickly. From runners on 2nd and 3rd to 1 run scored and runner on 3rd.
 

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