Softball Drills – Cutoff

Purpose: This softball drill i.e. Cutoffs can be a coach's biggest joy or most painful headache. How many times have you seen an overthrown cutoff to home plate with the hitter advancing to second base? It occurs more often than you think, even in the major leagues. This game teaches proper cutoff technique from the thrower and fielder. It's also a great throwing warm-up.

Procedure: Have two groups of people equal number in each. Line up down both foul lines or throughout the diamond for more than two groups. Fielders should be an equal distance apart. Throw the ball to the cutoff person next in line as quickly and efficiently as possible. Throws begin from the home plate area, go in succession to players all the way out to the outfield fence, and then back to home plate. Fielders should have their arms up as the cutoff person, and shade their glove shoulder quicker transfer towards the next person in line. All players must catch with two hands and throw. If a person overthrows his/her intended target, the ball must come back to that person who made the original throw and be thrown again. Use a time frame {30 to 60 seconds) to see how many successful transitions can be accomplished. Back and forth equals 1. Point . Rotate people up a spot after each game. You can also try this game as a race between teams.