First & Third

First & Third: Throw Through to Second

Catcher throws to 2B; watch the runner at 3rd

Runners on first and third; the runner on first breaks for second. The catcher throws through to second for the tag — but the whole defense is watching the runner at third.

Speed

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Press Watch the Play to run the sequence, or tap any player to study their job.

All 9 jobs

Ball Bag Backup

P

Pitcher Backup

Watch the runner at third and be ready to cut the throw if he breaks for home.
C

Catcher Ball

Check the runner at third first, then throw through to second; if the runner at third goes, come up throwing home.
1B

First Base Bag

Trail the play and cover first base.
2B

Second Base Bag

Cover second and apply the tag; be ready to fire home if the third-base runner breaks.
3B

Third Base Ball

Hold the runner on third and take a snap throw if he strays too far.
SS

Shortstop Backup

Back up the throw at second from the shortstop side.
LF

Left Field Backup

Move in to back up the play.
CF

Center Field Backup

Back up second base.
RF

Right Field Backup

Back up second base from the right.

Coaching notes

Key point

First-and-third with a steal: the defense's first job is the runner at third. Tag the steal only if the runner at third can't score.

Drill

First-and-third reps: catcher reads the third-base runner, then decides throw-through, cut, or home.

Watch for

Defenders so locked on the steal at second that the runner at third trots home — eyes on third first.