"TAG" Drill

This drill comes from Joe Zander our July 2003 Drill of the Month Winner.

Equipment: 1 Base, 2 Helmets, Baseballs

Setup: Use any infield base, or place a base on the ground in an open area. Mark a start point on the ground along the base line approximately 2/3 of the normal distance between bases (for example, 40' for Little League). With a group of four players, two will be fielders (F1 and F2) and two will be base runners (R1 and R2). F1 is a baseman, and will guard the base. F2 is a relay man and will relay a throw to F1.

Execution: F1 assumes a normal playing position a few feet from the base. F2 is near the edge of the infield in a short relay position. The coach (CO) initiates the action by throwing a ball to F2. Immediately R1 sprints for the base, and F1 breaks for the bag. F2 receives the throw from the coach, and quickly relays the ball to F1. The baseman sets up straddling the base, heels dug into the front corners of the bag. F1 concentrates on receiving the relay, covering the ball, and placing the glove on the ground (with the pocket and ball turned away from the runner). His goal is to tag the base runner's feet ahead of the base. The base runner's goal is to slide safely into the base and avoid the tag of F1. When the play is completed, F1 can place the ball into a nearby bucket, or toss the ball back to the coach. After several throws, rotate the players. F2-->F1-->R2-->R1-->F1.

Adapt the drill to the players involved. When the drill is set up properly, the result is a bang-bang tag play at the base with only a slight edge for the baseman. To accomplish this, if you must adjust the runner's start point backward or forward a bit, or move F2 out or in, go ahead and do it.

Fielding and Base Running Skills: One of the most common mistakes that youth players make is to put a high tag (tagging the thigh) on an approaching runner. In many cases, a strong accurate throw to a base is wasted because the tag is misapplied and the runner is ruled safe. To make a proper tag involves three steps:

Bend at the knees!

1. Setting up at the base by straddling the corners along the front edge of the bag.
2. Maintain a low center of gravity, and relax the upper body. Head and eyes on the ball, concentrate on receiving the throw.
3. Secure the ball and quickly get the glove to the ground. Tag the runner's feet with the back of the glove.

Making the tag at a base is always a big out. Executing the tag play is an important fielding skill that produces game-saving results. At the same time, the defense is working on quick relay throws and tags, the base runners are working on their sliding techniques.

Demonstrate what happens when F1 is straddling the middle or the rear of the base, and a tag is attempted. In most instances, a high tag is the result with the runner's feet reaching the base before the tag is applied. Also, make the distinction between bending at the knees and bending (bowing) from the waist. To apply the tag, F1 needs to get low by bending the knees. Bending over at the waist is another prescription for high tags and runners being ruled safe. Basemen cannot bow (bend over from the waist) to the runner, they have to squat down near the ground and stop the runner. To emphasize this point, use humor and have fun teaching the right way to get down and play at ground level.

Coaches: Just one coach is necessary with each group of four players. The coach controls the pace of the drill by feeding the throws to F2 and providing instruction to the participants. With older players (high school and above), a 5th player can replace the coach and be CO.

Comments: This is a quick excellent drill that provides players with many repetitions to apply tags. In game situations, basemen need to be poised, fearless, and deliberate in their application of tags. The drill can be operated as one of several fielding stations during a multi-drill rotation sequence, or as a single team drill with multiple tag stations. With multiple tag stations, groups of four players can be located at third base, at home plate, and either at first or second base.

I use the Tag Drill as a progression drill. To teach and develop basic tag skills, schedule the drill early in the season. When players demonstrate appropriate aptitude, they progress to a second drill that I call, Nail the Runner. The Nail the Runner drill is similar, but the setup involves outfielders (LF and LCF throwing to 3B, or RF and RCF throwing to 2B) charging batted balls and throwing to F1. The distance between the runner's start point and the F1 base is also increased. Typically, Nail the Runner is a 6-player drill.