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Baseball and softball · Intermediate · i3

Throw and relay

Park or court 8 min 3 players Park

Ready when: Grip and throw at a target (b1) done.

Start a session

What you are learning

The relay throw: the outfielder throws to a relay player in the middle, who catches and throws on in one smooth movement to the last player. Two quick throws get the ball in from far away faster than one long throw.

Words on this card Glove, Relay
Glove
The padded leather glove fielders catch with.
Relay
Passing the ball on in two throws, through a player in the middle, to get it in from far away.

Set up

Three players in a line 7 to 17 m apart, a ball.

Weather: dry ground

The base setup for baseball and softball

Show it first for the one teaching

  1. Stand as the relay player between the other two, facing the outfielder, hands up as a target.
  2. As the ball comes, turn your glove side toward the last player.
  3. Catch and turn in one movement, stepping toward the last player.
  4. Throw on without stopping.

Your part while they practise

Be the receiver at the end.

Step by step

  1. The outfielder picks the ball up and throws to the relay player.
  2. The relay player catches and turns in one movement.
  3. The relay player throws on to the last player.
  4. 10 relays, then change places.

How much: 10 relays, 3 rounds 8 min a session 2 days a week

Say one thing Pick one line from "What you will see" for today and say only that.

The game: Beat the clock

Time the relay and try to beat the best time.

Who plays: 3 players in a line; a fourth times it, or the last player counts the seconds aloud.

How to play, turn by turn
Turns
  1. The ball starts on the ground by the outfielder
  2. On "Go", the outfielder picks it up and throws to the relay player
  3. The relay player catches and throws on
  4. Stop the clock when the last player catches. 5 tries, then change places
Fair play
Change places so everyone throws from each spot.
Points
The time in seconds; fewer is better.
Fouls
3 seconds added
  • The ball bounces before reaching a player
  • The relay player stops before throwing on
  • A dropped ball: start the try again
Winning
Beat your best time as a team.
Stars
  1. 9 seconds or fewer for 1 star
  2. 7 seconds or fewer for 2 stars
  3. 5 seconds or fewer for 3 stars

Easier or harder

Easier

Shorten the distance.

Harder

Lengthen the distance; a fourth player backs up the last receiver.

What you will see, and what to say

  • the relay player catches facing the thrower and stops Catch and turn in oneThe glove side turns toward the last player as the ball arrives.
  • the ball is dropped on the catch Two hands, step to throwCatch with both hands, then step toward the target.

Self-check

8of 10

8 of 10 relays reach the last player without a bounce.

Stop and get a coach when

Arm soreness continues next day.

Fitness for this

Warm up first: how to warm up, at workonfitness.com. For strength and stretching, its exercise library shows each exercise step by step, with an easier version.

This card trains throwing, footwork, teamwork.

awiseathlete.com/sports/baseball-softball/baseball-softball-i3