Tag The Base Not The Runner
Tag the Base Not the Runner
When we look at a non-force out on the bases, there are a few things the infielder needs to know when making the tag. The first mistake young infielders make on a tag play is, they go after the runner. What we want to do is tag the base not the runner. I want you to think about what the runner is trying to do. I teach base runners that their #1 goal is always get to the next base. The runner has to touch 2nd base before they can go to 3rd base, that’s the rule. So if I am a 2nd baseman or a shortstop with a non-force out coming to 2nd base I have to realize that the runners objective is not to get through “me”, his objective is to touch 2nd base and move on to 3rd. So my goal as a 2nd baseman is to not let the runner touch 2nd base. I am going to protect my base by surrounding it, not by going after the runner before he gets there.
So once the infielder receives the ball his first move should be back to tag the front of the base for the runner to slide into the tag, not the tag going after the runner. I like thinking of the “base” in military terms. That is your “base” to protect as a defensive player. If the offense does not invade your base then that’s a win. We protect our base as infielders. No runner touches it.
When the infielder has the ball and is tagging the front of the base before the runner gets there, the runner stands no chance of reaching the base safely. At this point the only chance the runner has to getting to that next base is if the infielder vacates the base and goes after the runner. Now you leave the base open for the runner to slide around or underneath the tag for safety. The biggest mistake made by young infielders in this situation is let the runner slide under the tag. If the infielder tags the front of the base and not the runner, there is no chance for the runner to slide underneath or around the tag.
Some ideas for a coach to use in your practices; make your infielders tag the front of the base in every single situation you practice in. If you are working on cut-offs to 3rd, make the 3rd baseman tag the front of the base for one full second before he pops up and throws the ball elsewhere. If you are making throws from the catcher, make the infielder tag the front of the base. Pick offs from the pitcher; make the infielder tag the front of the base. There are multiple opportunities as a coach to make sure your infielders are making this a habit.
Now when I say tag the “front of the base”, that means the side that is closest to the runner coming in. If the runner is stealing 2nd base then the front of the base is on the 1st base side of 2nd base. If we are picking off to 2nd base then the front of the base is on the 3rd base side of 2nd base. The front of the base is always the closest part of the base that the runner sees. In some situations the front of the base will change during the play, maybe the runner slides to far around and is now looking at the back of the base for safety. In this situation if the infielder is protecting his base from the beginning he can easily shift around to the new “front of the base” without leaving a side open for the runner to slip in.
We will talk about receiving the throw as an infielder in the near future. Today I want you to get the concept that once the infielder has the ball they should tag the base not the runner. Don’t leave any openings for the runner to slip in. I also want to emphasize to always make the tag even if the runner is already safe. It won’t hurt your situation and you never know when the call will go your way.
When we look at a non-force out on the bases, there are a few things the infielder needs to know when making the tag. The first mistake young infielders make on a tag play is, they go after the runner. What we want to do is tag the base not the runner. I want you to think about what the runner is trying to do. I teach base runners that their #1 goal is always get to the next base. The runner has to touch 2nd base before they can go to 3rd base, that’s the rule. So if I am a 2nd baseman or a shortstop with a non-force out coming to 2nd base I have to realize that the runners objective is not to get through “me”, his objective is to touch 2nd base and move on to 3rd. So my goal as a 2nd baseman is to not let the runner touch 2nd base. I am going to protect my base by surrounding it, not by going after the runner before he gets there.
So once the infielder receives the ball his first move should be back to tag the front of the base for the runner to slide into the tag, not the tag going after the runner. I like thinking of the “base” in military terms. That is your “base” to protect as a defensive player. If the offense does not invade your base then that’s a win. We protect our base as infielders. No runner touches it.
When the infielder has the ball and is tagging the front of the base before the runner gets there, the runner stands no chance of reaching the base safely. At this point the only chance the runner has to getting to that next base is if the infielder vacates the base and goes after the runner. Now you leave the base open for the runner to slide around or underneath the tag for safety. The biggest mistake made by young infielders in this situation is let the runner slide under the tag. If the infielder tags the front of the base and not the runner, there is no chance for the runner to slide underneath or around the tag.
Some ideas for a coach to use in your practices; make your infielders tag the front of the base in every single situation you practice in. If you are working on cut-offs to 3rd, make the 3rd baseman tag the front of the base for one full second before he pops up and throws the ball elsewhere. If you are making throws from the catcher, make the infielder tag the front of the base. Pick offs from the pitcher; make the infielder tag the front of the base. There are multiple opportunities as a coach to make sure your infielders are making this a habit.
Now when I say tag the “front of the base”, that means the side that is closest to the runner coming in. If the runner is stealing 2nd base then the front of the base is on the 1st base side of 2nd base. If we are picking off to 2nd base then the front of the base is on the 3rd base side of 2nd base. The front of the base is always the closest part of the base that the runner sees. In some situations the front of the base will change during the play, maybe the runner slides to far around and is now looking at the back of the base for safety. In this situation if the infielder is protecting his base from the beginning he can easily shift around to the new “front of the base” without leaving a side open for the runner to slip in.
We will talk about receiving the throw as an infielder in the near future. Today I want you to get the concept that once the infielder has the ball they should tag the base not the runner. Don’t leave any openings for the runner to slip in. I also want to emphasize to always make the tag even if the runner is already safe. It won’t hurt your situation and you never know when the call will go your way.
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© 2010 Created by Jared Eichelberger.
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