Here’s a great new drill we’ve been using in practice called “Hit the Cutoff.”  The main purpose of this drill is to work on getting the ball from the outfield into the infield.

How it Works:

This drill requires a fielder at second, at third, a catcher, a cutoff man, and outfielders.

The coach will begin the drill by hitting the ball (in the air or on the ground) to the outfielder. The outfielder will field the ball and throw the ball on a line to the cutoff man (the ball should be aimed at the cutoff’s head). The cutoff should go out to the outfield grass and line-up between home and the outfielder.

Once the ball is hit, the coach should tell the catcher where the ball should be thrown. First base is 1, second is 2, third is 3, and home is 4. As the outfielder throws the ball to the cutoff, the catcher recognizes if the cutoff man needs to catch the throw or not. If the throw doesn’t need to be caught then the catcher doesn’t yell anything. If the ball needs to be caught or “cut” then the catcher needs to be yell “cut” and then the number of the base.

For example, if the coach wants the ball thrown to third (because that’s where the runner might be thrown out) then the catcher should yell “cut 3!”

If the cutoff doesn’t hear anything then he should just let the ball go. If the catcher does yell “cut” and then a number then the cutoff needs to catch the ball and then throw to the correct base.

Coaching Points:

Too often outfielders try to throw the ball all the way home or to a base and the ball takes too long to get there. Outfielders should always aim to hit the cutoff man. In fact, the outfield should throw right at the cutoff man’s head. The ball should be on a line.

Coaches should look to make sure the outfielder is receiving the ball with two hands. Then the outfielder should use a crow-hop to throw to the cutoff man. The cutoff should line-up directly between the ball and home (or the base where the leading runner will be going for). The coach should make sure the cutoff man catches with two hands. Preferably the cutoff should already be turning as he catches the ball. Then the cutoff should use the crow-hop and throw to the base that the catcher called. The catcher needs to make the call loudly and in plenty of time so the cutoff man knows.