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Baseball & Softball drill · Communication

Relay and Cutoff Communication

The relay is where arms, feet, and voices have to work together. Teams that practice it stop giving up the extra base that decides close games.

Why this drill works

The relay is baseball’s team play: a ball too far for one throw becomes two good throws and a called target, and every runner held or thrown out by a relay is a victory of organization over distance. Drilling it builds the three pieces games demand, the cutoff’s hands-up target and loud voice, the outfielder’s throw to the glove side, and the quick transfer-and-turn, while teaching the deeper lesson that talking is a baseball skill with a scoreboard.

How to coach it

Coach the cutoff player’s presence first, hands high, voice loud, HIT ME, because a visible target fixes half of all relay problems by itself. Grade the outfielder’s throw by where it arrives, glove side and chest high, and the middle player’s turn by its speed. Race lines against each other once mechanics hold, since relays are ultimately about time, and let teams feel a clean relay beat a single heroic heave in a fair race.
Ages
9–14
Skill levels
developing, intermediate
Players
6–15 (ideal 9)
Time
14 min
Setting
outdoor
Space
60-90 yards of open grass per relay line
Relay and Cutoff setup Three players in a line from deep outfield to a base. The middle relay shows hands high; arrows show both throws. OF Relay Base
Three players in a line from deep outfield to a base. The middle relay shows hands high; arrows show both throws.

Equipment

  • 2-3 balls per line
  • 1 glove per player
  • 1 base or cone per line

Setup

Make lines of three: an outfielder deep, a relay player in the middle, and a base player at a base or cone. Space the gaps so each throw is comfortable for the age group.

How to run it

  1. The outfielder starts with the ball, simulates a pickup off the grass, and hits the relay player.
  2. The relay shows two hands high, shouting HIT ME, HIT ME, catches over the glove shoulder, and pivots glove-side to throw to the base.
  3. The base player calls the relay's decision early: RELAY, RELAY or CUT, HOLD.
  4. On CUT, HOLD, the relay catches and holds; on RELAY, the ball goes through.
  5. Race format: first line to complete three clean relays wins, then rotate positions.

What success looks like

Relays are moving toward the target as they catch, pivots are one smooth glove-side turn, and every rep has loud calls from both the relay and the base.

Coaching cues

  • "Hands up, be loud"
  • "Catch moving, pivot glove-side"
  • "Listen for the call"
  • "Hit the cutoff chest-high"

Common mistakes

  • Relay standing flat and spinning the wrong way; walk the glove-side pivot slowly first.
  • Outfielders airmailing over the relay; the relay's raised hands are the target, always.
  • Silent reps; if the relay cannot hear a call, the play does not count.

Make it easier or harder

Easier: Shorten all gaps, roll the start to the outfielder gently, and skip the CUT call until relays are smooth.

Harder: Start with a real fungo or thrown deep ball, add a runner circling bases to beat, or add a fourth player as a trailing backup relay.

Adapt it to your team

Small roster: Six players make two lines of three; the race format keeps both honest.

Large roster: One line per three players, all relaying in the same direction with lateral spacing between lines.

Limited space: Compress to gym length with soft balls: the pivot and the calls are the skill, not the distance.

Limited equipment: Cones for bases and one ball per line; rotate so everyone plays the middle.

Safety

Long throws with players between them demand lane discipline: lines stay parallel, nobody crosses a lane, and overthrows are chased only after the rep ends. See the safety page for general guidance.