Outfielders who throw the ball over the cutoff player’s head let runners advance. The right throw is on a low arc, hits the cutoff player chest-high, and can be caught and relayed. This is the throw that turns a single into one base, not three.
What you need: 6 baseballs, three players, a real outfield or large open space.
Setup: Player A in the outfield at 150 feet from home. Player B (the cutoff) at 80 feet from Player A. Player C at home plate as the target receiver.
How to run it:
- Cue: Turn, Shuffle, Point, Fire. The throw should be on a line that hits the cutoff player chest-high, then bounces once or carries to home.
- You toss a flyball to Player A. They catch, shuffle, point at the cutoff player’s chest, and fire.
- Cutoff player B catches at chest height and either lets the ball go through or relays it home.
- Do 5 reps from each outfield position.
- Last round: throw a deep flyball Player A has to run to. Same throw mechanics under pressure.
What to watch: The flight of the ball. A throw that bounces 30 feet in front of the cutoff is too low. A throw that flies over the cutoff’s head is too high. Chest-high on the cutoff is the target.
If they’re struggling: Move the cutoff player closer to the outfielder. Shorter throw, same mechanics.
If they’ve got it: Add a runner who tags up from third on the catch. The throw has to beat the runner home if the cutoff lets it through, or get cut and thrown back to second if the cutoff plays it.