What method do any of you coaches use to give pick off signals?
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we work really, really hard on holding runners but dont waste alot of time working on special pickoff plays.
we work on daylight play, a pick using secondbaseman, and a pick at 1st with firstbaseman playing behind. our catchers work on throwing to the bases - but thats nothing called. there's suppose to be someone on the bag after every pitch and our catchers will throw to the bases.
shortstop/pitcher will have a sign for the daylight pick. we will have a verbal sign for a pick at 2nd base using secondbaseman and the first baseman playing behind.
we work on our pitchers varying looks, counts to the plate. we pitchout often and we will pitchout behind in count.
you need to spend a whole lot more time on holding runners than picking them off. you'll get a pick off here and there but very rarely from special plays. you need to spend that time in practice working on holding.
we do have our catcher wiggle his fingers if we want a pitcher to throw over.
we work on daylight play, a pick using secondbaseman, and a pick at 1st with firstbaseman playing behind. our catchers work on throwing to the bases - but thats nothing called. there's suppose to be someone on the bag after every pitch and our catchers will throw to the bases.
shortstop/pitcher will have a sign for the daylight pick. we will have a verbal sign for a pick at 2nd base using secondbaseman and the first baseman playing behind.
we work on our pitchers varying looks, counts to the plate. we pitchout often and we will pitchout behind in count.
you need to spend a whole lot more time on holding runners than picking them off. you'll get a pick off here and there but very rarely from special plays. you need to spend that time in practice working on holding.
we do have our catcher wiggle his fingers if we want a pitcher to throw over.
I've had the greatest success with verbal signals: "Heads up out there", timing play at 2nd base and "Hey now, something special" outside fastball with 1st baseman breaking to bag from behind.
I agree with previous post on emphasis on holding runners, working on a few pickoffs can at times get you out of a jam.
I agree with previous post on emphasis on holding runners, working on a few pickoffs can at times get you out of a jam.
No disrespect but throwing the ball in the RF corner can also get you into a jam-LOL
No pun-just fun
Shep
No pun-just fun
Shep
OK here we go with the catchers. Our catchers will relay any pick off to the players with a verbal call from the dugout. One example will be the pickoff at 2B. The call is relayed to the catcher who gives a sign to the pitcher and infielders. Similar to the day light play, the pitcher never really looks at the runner, he watches the catcher who from the target position, drops his glove in a downward motion when the SS breaks. This is the sign for the pitcher to turn and throw. This works at 1B with the first baseman playing behind the runner and breaking to the bag as well.
Take a look at the recent Collegiate Baseball newspaper article on a new "Pick Proof" system. Very interesting. Son's school is using this technique. 
Our pitchers sign all but one. You know, things like walking behind the mound, taking off the hat and wiping sweat, etc. The only one I call is the daylight. I stand up off the bucket and tell everybody how many outs there are. A lot of times I'll call out numbers, colors, etc. just as decoys.
We work picks almost daily. The players call 90% of them. The few I call are verbal. Generally a daylight type pick at first and at second when runners take early secondary leads.
In re: to pick off signs (or controlling the running game). Commonly used in professional baseball, not so much in college (in fact I have not come across anyone yet that uses this in college).
Often confused for calling pitches (like when you watch a game on tv and you see LaRussa touching his face, nose, ears etc...).
They come from the dugout to the catcher. Very basic way to get this done. This must be practiced. Let's say it's counts. Meaning count the number of touches after I touch my nose. I will come back to this later, see key below:
1 touch after nose = come set throw to first
2 touches after nose = pitch out
3 touches after nose (RHP only) = 3rd to 1st move
4 touches after nose = hold (4 sec) throw to 1st
5 touches after nose = inside move to 2nd
coach circles finger (don't advertise) = hold 4 sec and pitch.
Signs from C to P: * catcher gives these signs as if he is calling pitches
1 = Hookem horns 2 times (catcher gives finger and pinky at same time "hookem horns" THAT'S TWO HOOK'EM HORNS SIGNS) to let pitcher and middle infielders know we are not calling a pitch but rather holding runners, followed by a 1 (aka sign for FB) = pitcher comes set throws to first.
2 = Hook'em Horns 2 x's followed by a 2 (aka common sign for CB) = pitcher pitches out Very important for middle infielders to see this as this will determine who covers bag on SBA. LHH 2B covers. RHH SS covers.
you get the idea yet. Very wordy but also very simple to put incorporate.
Add to it if you like, for example.
Hook'em Horns 4 for a left hander means he comes set, holds for 4 sec then uses the quick step off and throw to 1st.
w/ runners on 1st and 2nd and w/ 1B playing behind runner we used manager wiped his brow while taking off his hat (key is 1B must look in dugout often) to tell 1B of his intensions to pick at first. 1B taps toes on ground as if to knock them clean of dirt. Then manager gives Hook'em Horns sign to catcher 1 touch after nose. pitcher gets sign comes up looking at second, comes set turns head to lock at the plate (this is the timing for 1B) when he locks 1B comes in behind runner pitcher picks to first.
I could go on and on. Sorry so wordy. Hope this help. Amend to level of play and aptitude of players. Basically you want to prevent runner from getting good jump. Encourage pitcher to throw over on his own from different points (maybe while coming set). Differ times he he holds ball before throwing to an occupied base or to hitter. The signs give coach opportunity to put on plays often times not to pick people off but yet to aqquire information.
Is hitter bunting, hold pick to 1st (RHP), LHP just pick w/ traditional move. Inside move to 2nd. Very often at lower levels hitter will tip his hand.
Is runner stealing, hold and throw over (HOOK'EM HORNS 4), runner will often tip his hand if he is running.
Holding runners at 2nd is a whole different story and there is process. But even more wordy.
I have bounced around from forum to forum and enjoy the enthusiasm and each of you pulling for one another, while helping and providing direction. Great Site.
Often confused for calling pitches (like when you watch a game on tv and you see LaRussa touching his face, nose, ears etc...).
They come from the dugout to the catcher. Very basic way to get this done. This must be practiced. Let's say it's counts. Meaning count the number of touches after I touch my nose. I will come back to this later, see key below:
1 touch after nose = come set throw to first
2 touches after nose = pitch out
3 touches after nose (RHP only) = 3rd to 1st move
4 touches after nose = hold (4 sec) throw to 1st
5 touches after nose = inside move to 2nd
coach circles finger (don't advertise) = hold 4 sec and pitch.
Signs from C to P: * catcher gives these signs as if he is calling pitches
1 = Hookem horns 2 times (catcher gives finger and pinky at same time "hookem horns" THAT'S TWO HOOK'EM HORNS SIGNS) to let pitcher and middle infielders know we are not calling a pitch but rather holding runners, followed by a 1 (aka sign for FB) = pitcher comes set throws to first.
2 = Hook'em Horns 2 x's followed by a 2 (aka common sign for CB) = pitcher pitches out Very important for middle infielders to see this as this will determine who covers bag on SBA. LHH 2B covers. RHH SS covers.
you get the idea yet. Very wordy but also very simple to put incorporate.
Add to it if you like, for example.
Hook'em Horns 4 for a left hander means he comes set, holds for 4 sec then uses the quick step off and throw to 1st.
w/ runners on 1st and 2nd and w/ 1B playing behind runner we used manager wiped his brow while taking off his hat (key is 1B must look in dugout often) to tell 1B of his intensions to pick at first. 1B taps toes on ground as if to knock them clean of dirt. Then manager gives Hook'em Horns sign to catcher 1 touch after nose. pitcher gets sign comes up looking at second, comes set turns head to lock at the plate (this is the timing for 1B) when he locks 1B comes in behind runner pitcher picks to first.
I could go on and on. Sorry so wordy. Hope this help. Amend to level of play and aptitude of players. Basically you want to prevent runner from getting good jump. Encourage pitcher to throw over on his own from different points (maybe while coming set). Differ times he he holds ball before throwing to an occupied base or to hitter. The signs give coach opportunity to put on plays often times not to pick people off but yet to aqquire information.
Is hitter bunting, hold pick to 1st (RHP), LHP just pick w/ traditional move. Inside move to 2nd. Very often at lower levels hitter will tip his hand.
Is runner stealing, hold and throw over (HOOK'EM HORNS 4), runner will often tip his hand if he is running.
Holding runners at 2nd is a whole different story and there is process. But even more wordy.
I have bounced around from forum to forum and enjoy the enthusiasm and each of you pulling for one another, while helping and providing direction. Great Site.
Wonder if Bulldog, I mean Bluedog knows anything about signs??
Great job LOW explaining this difficult topic.
Can see that coaching/playing experience shining through in this post, for sure.
Shep
Great job LOW explaining this difficult topic.
Can see that coaching/playing experience shining through in this post, for sure.
Shep
