rundown

Question
Question
I thought I knew how to do it properly, but I got into a debate with another assistant coach on our team.  I have a nice instruction book that I pulled out, and he pulled one out himself.

Basically, we disagree on what the player that just threw the ball goes.  I say he goes to the base he threw it to, and he says he should peel back and go to the base he just came from.

Answer
Jim,

You are both right.  It just depends on what age you are coaching.  You will see it done both ways at the higher levels. High level high school, college and professional ball will do it either way and it will work.

However, it is much easier and more effective for youth players to "GO WHERE YOU THROW".

It is very simple and uncomplicated to simply chase the runner, toss the ball, and then get out of the way and go to the base you threw to.  Of course, if the player throws the ball and is still very close to the base he can just stay there.

The whole idea is to get an out, number 2 is to chase the runner back to the base which he came from.  Therefore, the defensive players will always want to make a little quicker throw going to the next base and then run the runner farther back to the base which he came before the throw.  You want the out, but you definitely don't want to give him an extra base.

I am assuming you are coaching youth players (under 14).  I have been there and done that.  I always taught "GO WHERE YOU THROW" and was very successful with it.  

Explain to your assistant what I have described and go with what you want to teach, then teach it and practice it until it is automatic.

Have fun

Coach Boss