run down, coaching tips

The only drill I know is a rundown.

1 throw is the goal. 2 max.

The key is to run HARD at the runner to make him commit. When he commits he runs hard. When he runs hard he's done......as long as you've made him do this immediately.

A good drill is to have two lines and one group of runners. Have the lines face one another about 90' apart and the runner wearing a helmet between the lines. One player say in line 1 has the ball and runs at the runner holding the ball up so the other player can see the ball at all times. The player with the ball runs at the runner full speed and forces him to committ to run away from him. The player in line 2 once he sees the runner has committed to run towards him yells ball and the player in line 1 throws the ball at this time. The player in line 2 should have no problem then making the tag without another throw if it is executed properly. One other note is if the player in line 1 who has the ball is right handed the player in line two should create a throwing angle by stepping to his left before the throw is made. This will eliminate throwing over the runner or throwing into the runner and will allow the player in line 2 to see the ball the whole time. If a tag is not made by the player in line 2 he runs at the runner and the next kid in line 1 steps into the rundown and so on. Again if it is executed properly it should only take one throw.

Practice run down in the infield. Practice differents situations depending runners, outs, etc. You have to try to make the runner run back to the previous base, that way if he is safe, he didn't gain an extra base.
If the run down is between 1st and 2nd, first baseman throw the ball to SS and get out of the way, going to the other end of the run down (Pitcher covers first if the ist baseman is too far to comeback), SS push the runner back to first where the tag got it be made, at the same time 2nd baseman back up SS)

If the run down is between 2nd and 3rd it is the same thing trying to push the runner to 2nd base, SS back up 2nd baseman, and pitcher or catcher back up 3rd baseman, depending if there is a runner at 3rd base or not.
If the run down is between 3rd and home, same thing, trying to push runner back to third, SS back up 3rd baseman, and first baseman back up the catcher.
As soom any player throw the ball to the other in a run down, get out of the way and go to the other end of the run down.
Practice all the situations: bases empty, man at first, first and second, bases loaded, man at second, man at third.
At the same time use the other players as a base runners, that way you practice the offensive side of the run down as well.

"Peace is, the respect for the other people's rights".
Benito Juarez

Coach May,
We practice with groups of four. We start with one at each base and a "pitcher". The runner starts between the bases. The pitcher runs at the runner to force him to commit and throws to that base initiating the rundown. This forces the player who has just thrown the ball to cover the base he is heading toward. Otherwise we do it the same with regards to running full speed at the runner with the ball held up (no faking) and thrown on the call of ball. It is important for the player receiving the toss to be moving toward the runner as they make the catch. I also like to make sure that the players don't take the toss right on the base since that could allow the runner to slide under the tag safely.

These are all good points. If you work it as a game situation,
with every one in their position. That will give you and the players an idea as to what to do in that situation. The one thing that you will see the most is that the players just stand around and watch the play. Your outfeild is very important.
Get every one involved in the play, it's more fun that way.
I don't know how many times I have seen the ball over thrown
or get by the defender and the runner get an extra base because
of it. If every one gets involved, your chances are alot greater
that you will get the runner.

Load the bases. Pitcher picks runner off of first. Once he is tagged out runner on second leaves. Three pickles in same drill. Great for conditioning also.

If you think about it, a lot of rundowns take place on some sort of pick play from the pitcher. So when we do rundown work, we start with the pitchers making a pick throw from the mound. We have the pitchers follow their throw, with the exception being when they throw to 3rd base, at which time they cover home.

I believe the key to making this work with players is reptition in practice. I think many coaches (myself included, at least in the past) make the mistake of teaching it once, then leaving it alone. If you just teach it once, then don't practice it, players forget things (like keeping the ball high for the receiver to see). It works for us, as I believe we are at least above average in this area. Hope this helps!

Great info. We have rules for our guys on rundowns etc. and it is to turn to the inside. In other words, if the ball is thrown (Flipped like a dart!!!) then the infielder runs to infield grass and gets into the grass. We try to standardize this rule. Say a firstbaseman and a catcher are going for a tweener bunt. The catcher get it first, the firstbaseman turns to the inside grass. Standard rules really help. Oh, we don't want a bunch of fakes and we want the infielder on a dead sprint as they flip the ball and as they receive the ball! Yes receive the ball. We have our infielders stand with their heels on the bag as the runner is coming at them. Then, they burst off of the bag at the runner and call ball. If done properly, one throw.

"There comes a time when you have to stop dreaming of the man you want to be and start being the man you have become." Bruce Springsteen

One thing that I have done with the h.s. teams and 16/14u guys is that we will run the rundowns from all three possible spots on the field. First run two sessions, one between 1st and 2nd and the other between 3rd and home. Let them know once the get into the rundown they want to get the ball out and ready to throw like a dart. Explain to them how fake throwing is only hurting there teammate. Having them get the ball out and run hard towards the runner and make him run fullspeed. When the other fielder wants the ball he will call for it with a "BALL" call. Make sure the person that is calling "BALL" is creeping foward and closing the ground between him and the runner where when he gets it is one step and tag. Have the back up guy about ten feet behind the back and that is there is a cycle if the rundown last long, that the next person will fall in and continue the rundown. We use this but this is an obtion. All run downs are run on the inside part of the field. Meaning that when the player follows his throw he will run on the infield grass never giving the baserunner an opertunity to run into him and that they should alway have an inside throwing lane. But they also need to know for somereason if a throw takes them to the outside they need to call "OUTSIDE" and set up a throwing lane on the outside and the rundown will be ran on the outside and the player will follow toward the outfield grass. They the the usually get in 2 throws or less and run back to the original bases worst case senerio. After you run the two sessions run a finall one between 2nd and 3rd with everyone so that you personally can see everyone run it the exact way you want it ran. Making sure they always follow there throw. They tag with the hand in the glove making sure the ball does not pop out.

i agree with what i read....on throw two max...tell your player not to pump a ball....hold it up and keep it up, pumping could distract the other person receiving plus it shows scouts they dont know fundamentals...good luck