Double Plays Booklet — Coaches Lab

Double Plays

6-4-3 Double Play

Runner on 1st 0 out SS (6) → 2B (4) → 1B (3)

A ground ball to the shortstop with a runner on first and nobody out. Short to second to first — the classic around-the-horn double play.

Ball Bag Backup

P

Pitcher Backup

Break toward first base to back up the relay throw in case it gets away.
C

Catcher Backup

Trail the batter-runner up the line to back up first base.
1B

First Base Bag

Cover first base and stretch toward the throw to finish the double play.
2B

Second Base Bag

Cover second base, take the feed, touch the bag, and pivot to first.
3B

Third Base Bag

Cover third base and protect the line in case of any play there.
SS

Shortstop Ball

Field the ground ball cleanly and flip to the second baseman covering the bag.
LF

Left Field Backup

Move in to back up second base from the left in case the feed is wild.
CF

Center Field Backup

Back up second base from straightaway center.
RF

Right Field Backup

Sprint in to back up first base from the right side.

Key point

Turn two by getting one sure out first — catch the feed and touch the bag before you ever look to first.

Drill

Feed-and-pivot reps: shortstop feeds, second baseman works the footwork across the bag, no batter, just the turn — twenty reps.

Watch for

The pivot man rushing the throw to first before securing the force at second and getting neither out.

Double Plays

4-6-3 Double Play

Runner on 1st 0 out 2B (4) → SS (6) → 1B (3)

A ground ball to the second baseman with a runner on first. He feeds the shortstop covering second, who relays to first to complete the turn.

Ball Bag Backup

P

Pitcher Backup

Break toward first base to back up the relay.
C

Catcher Backup

Trail the batter-runner to back up first base.
1B

First Base Bag

Cover first base and stretch for the throw.
2B

Second Base Ball

Field it and give a firm, chest-high feed to the shortstop.
3B

Third Base Bag

Cover third base.
SS

Shortstop Bag

Cover second base, take the feed, touch the bag, and pivot to first.
LF

Left Field Backup

Back up second base from the left.
CF

Center Field Backup

Back up second base.
RF

Right Field Backup

Back up first base.

Key point

On the 4-6-3 the second baseman gives a firm, chest-high feed and clears — the shortstop does the work across the bag.

Drill

Feed-and-turn reps: second baseman pivot-feeds, shortstop times the bag and throws on the move.

Watch for

A lazy feed that pulls the shortstop off the bag — the feed sets up the whole turn.

Double Plays

5-4-3 Around the Horn

Runner on 1st 0 out 3B (5) → 2B (4) → 1B (3)

A sharp ground ball to third with a runner on first. Third to second to first — around the horn for two.

Ball Bag Backup

P

Pitcher Backup

Break toward first base to back up the relay.
C

Catcher Backup

Trail the batter-runner to back up first base.
1B

First Base Bag

Cover first base and stretch for the throw.
2B

Second Base Bag

Cover second base, take the feed, and pivot to first.
3B

Third Base Ball

Field it cleanly and fire to second base ahead of the runner.
SS

Shortstop Backup

Back up the throw at second base.
LF

Left Field Backup

Back up the play at second from the left.
CF

Center Field Backup

Back up second base.
RF

Right Field Backup

Back up first base.

Key point

Around the horn, the third baseman's throw must beat the runner to second — a strong, accurate feed to the inside of the bag.

Drill

3B-to-2B-to-1B reps; the second baseman works the footwork to receive on the run and clear the sliding runner.

Watch for

A throw to the runner side of second that handcuffs the pivot man — feed it to the inside corner.

Double Plays

3-6-3 Double Play

Runner on 1st 0 out 1B (3) → SS (6) → 1B (3)

A ground ball to the first baseman with a runner on first. He throws to the shortstop covering second, then sprints back to first for the return throw.

Ball Bag Backup

P

Pitcher Backup

Break toward first as insurance in case the first baseman can't get back in time.
C

Catcher Backup

Trail the batter-runner to back up first base.
1B

First Base Ball

Field it, throw to second, then sprint back to first for the return.
2B

Second Base Backup

Back up the throw at second base.
3B

Third Base Bag

Cover third base.
SS

Shortstop Bag

Cover second base, touch the bag, and relay back to first.
LF

Left Field Backup

Back up second base from the left.
CF

Center Field Backup

Back up second base.
RF

Right Field Backup

Back up first base.

Key point

On the 3-6-3 the first baseman must get rid of it quickly and immediately sprint back to the bag for the return throw.

Drill

3-6-3 footwork: first baseman fields, throws to short, and races back; the pitcher always breaks over as a safety valve.

Watch for

The first baseman admiring his throw instead of hustling back — if he's late, the pitcher must be there (3-6-1).

Double Plays

1-6-3, Comebacker to the Pitcher

Runner on 1st 0 out P (1) → SS (6) → 1B (3)

A ground ball hit right back to the pitcher with a runner on first. He turns and feeds the shortstop covering second, who relays to first.

Ball Bag Backup

P

Pitcher Ball

Field the comebacker, turn glove-side, and give a firm feed to second.
C

Catcher Backup

Trail the batter-runner to back up first base.
1B

First Base Bag

Cover first base and stretch for the throw.
2B

Second Base Backup

Back up the throw at second base.
3B

Third Base Bag

Cover third base.
SS

Shortstop Bag

Cover second base, take the feed, and relay to first.
LF

Left Field Backup

Back up second base from the left.
CF

Center Field Backup

Back up second base.
RF

Right Field Backup

Back up first base.

Key point

On a comebacker the pitcher turns glove-side to second and delivers a firm, catchable feed — not a flip into the dirt.

Drill

Comebacker DP reps: pitcher fields, opens to second, and leads the covering infielder to the bag.

Watch for

The pitcher spinning the wrong way or sailing the feed — under control beats fast.