Test Topic: Workout of the week to focus on:

*** this was first time players did this drill and still learning. Make sure you listen and understand the point behind. *** _________________________________________________________ Alternate Cut Relay Drill- rotate your players so everyone gets to be person in middle Three players lined up. Team of 12 should have 4 lines going at one time. Outside players are always working on tags. The player in the middle is working on cut footwork and an immediate redirect. Cut Footwork Cue: Right foot hits the ground → ball hits the glove. Get Fat → Get Skinny •Get Fat:Be big and wide to the person throwing you the ball. Show a huge target. •Get Skinny:Turn sideways as the ball approaches and time your right foot hitting the ground with the ball hitting your glove. • Catch it and redirect immediately— no wasted steps. Progression 1: Start close. Keep throws on a line and work on clean timing, quick redirects, and tags. Progression 2: Everyone scoots back. Cuts ( person in middle) Work on throwing a controlled long hop to players on the end , outside players finishing every rep with a tag hard. .

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Just wanted to share my favorite verse

I hope everyone was able to touch on cut footwork throughout the week, whether at practice or encouraging your athletes to work on it at home. Across all of our teams, the lack of understanding of proper cut footwork was pretty glaring. This is something we need to continue emphasizing and reinforcing. Introducing it once isn’t enough—we need consistent reps for the timing and movement to become natural. Set the standard at practice, give them the tools to work on it outside of practice, and continue holding them accountable to getting better at it. Get your players on Skool and they can have access to the resources available to teach them as well.

Once your players understand the timing of their cut footwork, there are a lot of different ways to reinforce it. This is one we use often because it’s quick, keeps everyone moving, and allows us to hit multiple focus points at once. Cut Drill Everyone is moving, and every athlete rotates through every position. The goal is for everyone to understand the entire relay—not just their normal position. Setup: Coach hits a fungo to the outfielder → Outfielder throws to the cut → Cut relays home → Catcher lines up the cut and finishes with the tag. Home → Outfield → Infield rotation players always moving after their rep. Outfielder - Call the ball at its highest point. - Get behind the ball and create momentum toward the infield. - Make a strong, accurate throw to the cut. - Give the cut something they can handle and redirect quickly. Cut — 1B or 3B ( If double cut would be SS depending how you set up the drill) - Make sure athletes understand who the cut is based on the situation—this could be the first baseman or third baseman. - Cruise the distance toward home—don't sprint all the way into the outfield. We want to shorten the throw while still maintaining proper spacing. - Listen to the catcher. The catcher is responsible for lining you up. - Work on footwork and timing so you're moving into the catch and ready to throw. - Catch → transfer → strong, accurate throw home. Catcher - Take control and line up the cut. - Use clear, loud communication. - Work on correct foot placement around the plate. - Receive the throw in a position to make the tag. - Finish with a hard, decisive tag. Progression: Start everyone shallow so the outfielder can make firm throws on a line and the cut can focus on clean footwork and timing. Gradually move the outfielders deeper. When deeper the shortstop is the cut then the throw becomes a long hop to the catcher ( the cut 1B or 3B would be letting it go through) If you see numbers on the outfielder/goes by outfielder, becomes a double cut with shortstop taking the ball.