First Base Play and Drills Revised

First Base Play and Drills : First Base Play and Drills By Tommy Raffo

Defensive 1B : Defensive 1B Involved with so many plays 1 to 1 ratio, Innings Played vs. Total Attempts Pick offs and Pick plays Good instincts Athletic Good Hands Good Agility and Feet Good Size Team Defense becomes better

“Golden Rule” : “Golden Rule” Promotes confidence individually, sense of pride Promotes confidence with teammates, aggressive with throws “Primary responsibility is to catch ball. Everything stays in front of you”

Advantages for LH 1B : Advantages for LH 1B Making throw to 2B – Pickoff or DP Holding runner at 1B Fielding Bunt with lead base throw to 2B or 3B More balls hit up middle to Glove side

Advantages for RH 1B : Advantages for RH 1B Make Feeds to Pitcher 1st and 3rd Defense

1B Positioning : 1B Positioning Depth determined by ability to get to bag RHH vs. LHH Various positions After pitch check 2B Dictated by game situation

Diagonal for 1B : Diagonal for 1B 1B uses a diagonal line as guide

Right Handed Hitter : Right Handed Hitter Move away and up

Left Handed Hitter : Left Handed Hitter Move closer and back

Point of No Return : Point of No Return Out of position

Holding Runner : Holding Runner Runner at 1B

Playing Behind with Depth : Playing Behind with Depth Poor runner or 2 outs

Playing Behind : Playing Behind Plus runners

Late and on Line : Late and on Line No Doubles

Warm Up Drills : Warm Up Drills Pre-heat Muscles Understand Bag Recognition 1) Bag Jumps - Jump front to back over base Keep both feet together 2) Around the World - Jump around sides of base with both feet

The “Big Three” for 1B : The “Big Three” for 1B 1) Approach to Bag 2) Set Up 3) Stretch Mechanics Receiving Throws Bag Shifts / Footwork Goal = To be efficient in all three areas to adhere to our

Approach to Bag : Approach to Bag Good ready position after prep steps Sprint to Bag Right foot to the outfield corner of bag Jump hop to Set Up

Outfield Corner of Bag : Outfield Corner of Bag

Corner of Bag : Corner of Bag

Correct Right Foot Placement : Correct Right Foot Placement

Incorrect Right Foot Placement : Incorrect Right Foot Placement

Approach to Bag Drill : Approach to Bag Drill Have 1B alternate going from position to 1B bag placing the Right Foot to outfield corner of bag, jump hop to Set Up Walk - Approach to bag drill Sprint - Approach to bag drill

Set Up : Set Up Athletic Position Knees flexed Toes Straight Heels in front and touching bag Squared up to throw Glove and hand out

Set Up : Set Up

Set Up : Set Up

Poor Set Up : Poor Set Up

Set Up Drills : Set Up Drills Have 1B alternate going from position to 1B bag placing the Right Foot to outfield corner of bag, jump hop to Set Up 1) Square Set Up Drill - 1B Set Up to where coach goes on infield 2) Close Set Up Drill - 1B Set Up (Sink Lower Half) for Pitcher or 2B throw

Receiving / Stretch Mechanics : Receiving / Stretch Mechanics Read ball in flight (Priority and Critical) Stretch with glove foot Feet work together Back foot on edge Glove out Fingers up on throws above knees Fingers down on throws below knees

Correct Stretch : Correct Stretch Glove out front Glove foot out front

Incorrect Stretch : Incorrect Stretch Glove close to chest Wrong foot out

Correct Stretch : Correct Stretch

Incorrect Stretch : Incorrect Stretch

Receiving / Stretch Mechanic Drills : Receiving / Stretch Mechanic Drills Force glove to get out for catch Force feet to work together 1) Flip Drill with Glove 2) Flip Drill with Bare Hand

Bag Shift / Stretch Mechanics : Bag Shift / Stretch Mechanics Read ball in flight (Priority and Critical) Stretch with glove foot Feet work together Use corners of bag Glove out Fingers up on throws above knees Fingers down on throws below knees

Stretch to Right : Stretch to Right Incorrect Correct

Stretch to Left : Stretch to Left Good footwork leads to better stretch and easier play on bag.

Bag Shift / Stretch Mechanic Drills : Bag Shift / Stretch Mechanic Drills Emphasizes the following: Bag Recognition using whole bag Force feet to work together Shadow Drill Shadow Drill – Eyes Closed Shadow Speed Drill Bag Shifts with Ball

1B Dirtball Picks : 1B Dirtball Picks Flight of ball determines pick Glove positioning out Glove down and heel up Field ball as close as possible to point of contact in dirt Cut down the angle of bounce Short hop

Front Picks : Front Picks

Forehand Stretch Picks : Forehand Stretch Picks

Backhand Stretch Pick : Backhand Stretch Pick

Incorrect Backhand Stretch Pick : Incorrect Backhand Stretch Pick

1B Pick Drills : 1B Pick Drills Emphasizes the following: Glove Positioning Out front Glove down / Heel up Bag Recognition using whole bag 1) Stretched Pick Drill 2) Break to Bag Pick Drill 3) Fungo Drill

Feeding Pitcher Covering 1B : Feeding Pitcher Covering 1B Five Coaching points 1) Remove ball from glove 2) Show ball 3) Correct toss Underhand – Stiff wrist with elbow next to side Overhand – Dart throw next to ear 4) Chest to shoulder high / Know RHP or LHP 5) Follow toss

Holding Runner at 1B : Holding Runner at 1B Hold for RHP Athletic and squared position Hold for LHP Athletic and squared position Up 2 feet toward pitcher Negating LHP arm side movement Runner in way Tag Plays Let ball travel Glove to back corner

Hold for RHP : Hold for RHP

Incorrect Hold : Incorrect Hold

Hold for LHP : Hold for LHP Moved up toward pitcher

Hold for LHP with Runner : Hold for LHP with Runner

Hold for RHP : Hold for RHP

Hold for LHP : Hold for LHP Moved up toward pitcher

Hold for LHP : Hold for LHP Moved up toward pitcher

Incorrect Hold : Incorrect Hold

Double Plays : Double Plays Positioning Holding runner at 1B Behind runner with some depth Completing throw to 2B is first priority Momentum to 2B, pitcher cover No back peddle Tagging 1st Base First 2 step rule Yell “Tag” Lane to throw

LH 1B Double Plays : LH 1B Double Plays Pivot same whether in front or back Bring ball to middle of body Directional side lined up to 2B for accuracy Throwing Lane Complete Play

RH 1B Double Plays : RH 1B Double Plays Field ball cleanly Pivots Glove Side turn Jump turn Bring ball to middle of body Directional side lined up to 2B for accuracy Throwing Lane Complete Play

Cut offs and relays : Cut offs and relays Positioning Depth and meeting ball Body position

1B Drill Work : 1B Drill Work Sequenced 1B Drills 1) Warm Up 2) Approach to Bag 3) Stretch Mechanics 4) Stretched Picks 5) Break to Bag Picks 6) Breaks off bag / Tags 7) DP’s 8) 1B Feeds