Fastpitch Softball - Shortstop Positioning
Situational positioning of the Shortstop may be the most common coaching oversight in Fastpitch Softball. My guess would be 95% of the teams put the shortstop in the middle of 2nd and 3rd and never measure her. Okay, that's great with no runners on base, on the other hand what about all the other situations.
Runner on 1st Base
In 10U & 12U it's nearly a given the runner is going to steal. In 14U and up, the odds are still pretty big that at some point the runner will one's damndest to advance, either on a straight steal or on a bobbled pitch. We KNOW this is going to happen a extremely grand percentage of the time.
So why is your shortstop still in the hole? How frequent times obtain you seen the shortstop have to cut the corner to get to the sling in time, and therefore be two or three feet in front of 2B and unable to make a tag? Aaaaggghhh!!! I antagonism that! And there is no reason for it to happen.
When there is a runner on 1st base, move your shortstop approximately 5 feet in relation to 2B. More if need be. Depending on your interval group, the odds are probably between 50% up to 95% that there testament be a play at 2B. On the other hand, the odds of the ball growth hit to SS are still lower. You might yet get lucky and get a ball hit up the centre which the SS can field and tag 2B or still turn a banal play.
Lead Runner on 2nd Base
If you capitalization SS to cover 3B on steals, the twin philosophy applies. Move her about 5 feet from the gap towards 3B. It's a exact fibrous play for SS to cover 3B on steals. She has to arouse their, treasure the base, take the ball, and make a tag. How lousy with throws to 3B have you seen wind up in the outfield in that the runner and SS got tangled up at 3B? Very many. Take the precision timing away of the play by getting her in a more appropriate position before the play starts.
By placing her in the optimal position before the pitch is thrown, you also avoid her breaking to the bag while the pitch is on the way. Huh? I'm sure you have seen shortstops division to the base as soon as the pitch is thrown, and then have a ball hit right where she should hog been standing. Because she is breaking on the pitch, her momentum increases the vastness of the hole immensely. Whereas, if she is positioned fair before the pitch, she can hold her position longer before making her break to encompass the steal.
The Hardest Play for a Shortstop Runner on 1st and the batter shows bunt
I will involve this play based on time in more detail at a subsequent date, nevertheless for now lets get the basics down. This play requires acute discipline by the shortstop. First, you occasion to explain that whether the player does bunt the outside should be made at 1B. Don't much think about going to 2B to get the lead runner! So provided the ball is bunted where does your shortstop go? Third base. Otherwise, the mould is uncovered and the runner on 1B can make the turn at second and deposit going to third. Oh, how you are going to hate that when it happens to you. So if the ball is bunted, beget the absent at one, be looking to throw across the field to third, and cover 3B.
What if the batter misses the bunt or fabricated bunts and takes the pitch? Here is where the extreme discipline comes in. Shortstop has to cover 2B on the steal. Therefore, the correct positioning is the alike as protecting against a straight steal. Before the pitch, deed her approximately 5 feet towards 2B. This puts her in position to cover 2B on a steal and should the ball be bunted successfully, she should have ample time to beat the runner coming from 1B to 3B.
Make a intellectual note to yourself, after everyone batter look at your shortstops positioning. This is a chess game. Determine about what you expect your opponent to do in this inclined situation, and position your shortstop appropriately.
Author: Jim Moyer
Jim Moyer is the author of http://www.mysoftballcoach.com. Having coached over 600 youth fastpitch softball games, Jim decided to put his knowledge online to allow parent/coaches to draw on his unique experience.
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