How to Teach Cuts and Relays for First Baseman
Baseball Coach Training
Teach Cuts and Relays for the First Baseman
Hey guys, in this video, we're going to talk about cuts and relays. As a first baseman, as we move up to the bigger field especially, we are the cutoff man for both right field and center field. I know a lot of times on the little league field, the pitcher's the cutoff man for left center and right, but as we get to the bigger field and you're playing with more room and foul territory, the pitcher is always the guy that's going to be backing up the bases.
So for us, we're playing first base. Let's say that ball's hit to right field. Our job is to get to a good position, to be a relay for that right fielder. What's a good position? A good position is in line with the right fielder and the catcher, but it's our job as first basement to read the momentum. What that means is if I see that right fielder working towards a base hit, and he's got a lot of momentum coming towards me, it's my job to give with them. I don't want the cutoff to be a 75 foot throw. I want to give with him and sink towards home plate. So now he's working towards me and I'm working towards the catcher. I want to make sure I have a big target and I'm listening to my catcher for alignment. Whether I'm in the right line, I have to move a little bit left. I have to move a little bit, right.
So again, I'm a big target. And the key here, which we've already covered in other videos is making sure we turn to our glove side. We never want to catch that relay and turn to our throwing side. We always want to turn to our glove side. So if that throw's right at me, I'm going to turn glove side and finish the play. If that ball takes me a little bit to my right, I have to make sure I get around the ball, so I catch it and fire it into home plate. So again, this is from right field. I want to get in line with the catcher and the right fielder. I want to read his momentum. If I see him going out, I'm going to go out and help him. If I see him coming towards me and he's got a lot of momentum towards me, I'm going to give with them and sink towards home plate to allow for a longer throw.
Step two to this video is a base hit to the center fielder. Our job is first baseman is to get in line with him. So this is a little bit longer of a run. So we have to know in our head, as soon as that ball is hit to center field, our only job is to get in line with the center fielder and home plate. A good starting point for you younger players, it's right in back of the mound on the second base side of the mound. And again, I want to make sure I give him a big target and I'm reading his momentum.
If I see he's working towards me and he's got a lot of, a lot of momentum coming towards home plate, I'm going to give with him a little bit, again, making sure I turn over my glove side. And if I see that fly ball, or that ball hit to him is taking him deeper, I want to make sure I help him out a little bit and gain a little bit more ground towards him. But again, the key here, read his momentum, make sure you're in line with home plate. And we always want to turn to our glove side when we throw.
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