⚾ Coaches Lab
The Golden Rule All 9 have a job: Ball · Bag · Backup. Nobody stands still.
Cutoffs & Relays — booklet (3 pages) ← All printables
Cutoffs & Relays

Cutoff & Relay — Gap to Right-Center

Runner on 1st 1 out RF → relay (2B) → C at plate

A ball is driven into the right-center gap with a runner on first trying to score. The second baseman sprints out as the relay man, lines up with the plate, and the throw comes home.

Ball Bag Backup

  • P
    Pitcher Backup

    Sprint to back up home plate behind the catcher.

  • C
    Catcher Bag

    Guard the plate, give a target, and take the relay throw for the tag.

  • 1B
    First Base Bag

    Cover first base and trail as a second cutoff if the throw comes up short.

  • 2B
    Second Base Ball

    Sprint into short right field as the relay man; line up with the plate and catch the throw.

  • 3B
    Third Base Bag

    Cover third base in case the runner is held or the batter tries to advance.

  • SS
    Shortstop Bag

    Cover second base behind the relay in case the batter-runner stops there.

  • LF
    Left Field Backup

    Cross behind the infield to back up second base from the left.

  • CF
    Center Field Backup

    Back up the right fielder in the gap in case the ball gets by him.

  • RF
    Right Field Ball

    Run the ball down in the gap and fire to the second baseman relay man.

Key point

On a ball to the gap the relay man runs OUT to meet the throw — a short, strong throw beats one long airmail every time.

Drill

Two-man relay reps: outfielder to relay to plate, emphasizing the relay man turning glove-side and lining up with the target.

Watch for

The relay man standing flat-footed near the infield instead of sprinting out to shorten the throw.

Cutoffs & Relays

Wheel Play: Bunt with a Runner on 2nd

Runner on 2nd 0 out 3B charges, SS covers third — get the lead runner

An aggressive wheel play to get the lead runner at third. The third baseman crashes on the bunt while the shortstop sneaks behind the runner to cover third.

Ball Bag Backup

  • P
    Pitcher Ball

    Break toward the third-base line to field the bunt; the play is at third if you field it clean.

  • C
    Catcher Bag

    Call the play loud — 'three, three' if there's a shot at the lead runner — and cover home.

  • 1B
    First Base Ball

    Crash from first to field anything on the right side.

  • 2B
    Second Base Bag

    Rotate all the way over to cover first base.

  • 3B
    Third Base Ball

    Crash hard down the line; your aggression is what makes the wheel work.

  • SS
    Shortstop Ball

    Sneak behind the runner and cover third base for the force on the lead runner.

  • LF
    Left Field Backup

    Sprint in behind third to back up the play at the bag.

  • CF
    Center Field Backup

    Back up second base.

  • RF
    Right Field Backup

    Back up first base.

Key point

The wheel gets the LEAD runner — but only if the shortstop reaches third in time. It's a gamble: miss it and everyone's safe.

Drill

Wheel-play timing: the shortstop breaks to third as the pitcher delivers; corners crash; freeze and check coverage.

Watch for

Throwing to third when the shortstop isn't there yet — if the bag isn't covered, take the sure out at first.

Cutoffs & Relays

Deep Drive to Left-Center, Double Cut

Runner on 1st 0 out LF → relay (SS) → trail (2B) → 3B

A ball to the wall in left-center with a runner on first. Two relay men line up in tandem — the shortstop deep and the second baseman trailing — to cover the long throw and hold the runner.

Ball Bag Backup

  • P
    Pitcher Backup

    Back up third base or home depending on where the play goes.

  • C
    Catcher Bag

    Guard the plate and direct the double cut.

  • 1B
    First Base Bag

    Cover first base and trail toward the cut.

  • 2B
    Second Base Ball

    Trail behind the shortstop as the second relay man — a safety valve and redirect.

  • 3B
    Third Base Bag

    Cover third base and take the throw if the runner goes.

  • SS
    Shortstop Ball

    Sprint deep into left-center as the lead relay man; line up with third.

  • LF
    Left Field Ball

    Run it down at the wall and fire to the shortstop relay.

  • CF
    Center Field Backup

    Back up the left fielder at the wall.

  • RF
    Right Field Backup

    Cross to back up second base.

Key point

On balls to the wall, two relay men line up in tandem — the lead man takes it, the trail man is the safety valve and can redirect.

Drill

Double-cut reps from the wall: outfielder to lead relay to trail relay; emphasize lining up and calling the target.

Watch for

Only one relay man going out — if the lead man bobbles it there's no backup and the runner takes an extra base.