◇Diamond CoachDefensive playbook
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Defensive rotation
Home plate at the bottom · schematic, not to scale

Tap a player for their assignment. Play or scrub the timeline to see the rotation.

Player movementThrowBatted ball○ Starting spotRunner attempt

Runner reads & defensive decision

Every player has a job

Walk it through at practice

  1. Announce the runners, outs and intended throw before the rep.
  2. Have every player point to their destination and say their job.
  3. Roll or hit the ball. Freeze when the fielder secures it; check base coverage, the throwing line and backups.
  4. Repeat at game speed. Change the throw if the runner or ball changes the play.

Our teaching system

These are suggested team assignments, not league rules. Agree on one system before practice.

  • To second: SS cuts from left/centre; 2B cuts from right. The other middle infielder covers the bag.
  • To third: SS relays; 3B stays at the bag; 2B covers second.
  • To home: 1B is the cutoff. From left field, 2B covers first, SS covers second and 3B stays at third. From centre/right, 2B covers second and SS supports the middle.
  • Deep gaps: this board teaches one relay, adjusted to throwing range. Double relays need a separate practiced rotation.

Cutoff: an infielder on the throw line who may let a throw pass or redirect it. Relay: a player who receives and immediately throws onward. Backup: a player beyond the receiving target on the projected throw line.

Runner guidance: Little League · Coaching the bases and runner rules. Check your league’s rules on steals, leads, appeals and infield fly. Runner paths illustrate an attempted advance, not a guaranteed result. This library covers base occupancy, outs and common play families; ball speed, score, runner speed and misplays still require a coach’s judgement.

Teaching principles: Coaching Youth Baseball · game-day coaching. The specific rotations here are an original suggested coaching system. Keep receiving players out of the runner’s path until a play permits a tag; adjust backups to the actual throw and available space.