When an outfielder catches a ball deep, they can’t always throw it to the base on a line. The cutoff player stands halfway between the outfielder and the target base. They catch the throw, decide whether to relay or eat it, and turn a long throw into two short throws.
What you need: A full field, an outfielder, an infielder, a coach, a runner.
Setup: Outfielder in right or left field. Infielder positioned halfway between outfielder and the target base.
How to run it:
- Coach hits a ball to the outfielder.
- As the outfielder fields the ball, the cutoff infielder runs to the line between the outfielder and the target base. They line up so the outfielder is throwing through them.
- Cutoff player turns to face the outfielder, both hands up at chest height as a target.
- Outfielder throws on a line to the cutoff’s chest.
- Cutoff catches and either relays to the base or lets the ball go through.
What to watch: The cutoff player’s position. They have to be ON THE LINE between the outfielder and the base. If they’re off the line, the throw goes around them, defeating the purpose.
If they’re struggling: Walk through the positioning. Use cones to mark the line.
If they’ve got it: Add a runner who reads the cutoff. If the cutoff catches and relays, runner advances. If the cutoff lets the ball through, runner holds.