Softball Baserunning Drills – Tagging Up

Purpose: To develop proper tagging-up techniques. This is for additional Softball Coaching Tips.

Procedure: This drill will be needing three bases, a softball,  and gloves for the fielders. Set up three bases in the shape of a softball diamond. Place three fielders in the outfield positions. A coach stands in the infield between the pitcher's plate and second base. The rest of the team lines up at first base. The first player in line leads off first base a few feet. The coach throws a fly ball to one of the outfielders, before the outfielder catches the ball, the player runs back to first base, tags up, then hustles to second base. Although the outfielder attempts to catch every ball, she does not throw out any of the base runners as they tag up and run to the next base. The first player stays at second base. The next player in line at first base repeats the drill, but this time, both runners on base tag up. Now the bases are loaded for the third throw, and al! three runners tag up on it. Repeat the drill for every player. The coach rotates the throws to the different outfielders. After everyone has had a chance to run at least twice, the fielders come in and three new players head to the outfield.

Players must wait for the ball to be caught before running. Runners say, "Caught" out loud when the ball is caught as a reminder not to run too early. When tagging up, the runner should not run with the head up looking for the incoming throw. He should run with his head looking directly at the base he is advancing to. Teach players to slide into the bag they are advancing to after a tag up almost every time.