11d • General discussion
Alternate cut drill
Once your players understand the timing of their cut footwork, there are a lot of different ways to reinforce it.
This is one we use often because it’s quick, keeps everyone moving, and allows us to hit multiple focus points at once.
Cut Drill
Everyone is moving, and every athlete rotates through every position. The goal is for everyone to understand the entire relay—not just their normal position.
Setup: Coach hits a fungo to the outfielder → Outfielder throws to the cut → Cut relays home → Catcher lines up the cut and finishes with the tag.
Home → Outfield → Infield rotation players always moving after their rep.
Outfielder
- Call the ball at its highest point.
- Get behind the ball and create momentum toward the infield.
- Make a strong, accurate throw to the cut.
- Give the cut something they can handle and redirect quickly.
Cut — 1B or 3B ( If double cut would be SS depending how you set up the drill)
- Make sure athletes understand who the cut is based on the situation—this could be the first baseman or third baseman.
- Cruise the distance toward home—don't sprint all the way into the outfield. We want to shorten the throw while still maintaining proper spacing.
- Listen to the catcher. The catcher is responsible for lining you up.
- Work on footwork and timing so you're moving into the catch and ready to throw.
- Catch → transfer → strong, accurate throw home.
Catcher
- Take control and line up the cut.
- Use clear, loud communication.
- Work on correct foot placement around the plate.
- Receive the throw in a position to make the tag.
- Finish with a hard, decisive tag.
Progression: Start everyone shallow so the outfielder can make firm throws on a line and the cut can focus on clean footwork and timing. Gradually move the outfielders deeper. When deeper the shortstop is the cut then the throw becomes a long hop to the catcher ( the cut 1B or 3B would be letting it go through)
If you see numbers on the outfielder/goes by outfielder, becomes a double cut with shortstop taking the ball.
The biggest emphasis: everyone learns every job. Even athletes who aren't catchers need to understand how the catcher lines up the cut. Even athletes who don't normally play 1B or 3B or SS need to understand where the cut goes and why. The better everyone understands the entire play, the better the defense works together.
You can make many different variations of this drill
3
0 comments
Alternate cut drill
