Throw out more runners and cut down on extra bases given to your opponent by executing cut off plays correctly.
Studying the correct baseball cut off positions for each position on the field should be a point of emphasis for every coach and player at all levels of baseball. Teams that effectively execute cut offs and relays can keep the opposition out of big innings by limiting the extra bases they are able to take. In order for these to work, players must be strong in their communication. As the outfielders are going after the ball, infielders should be calling out the base that they are ultimately trying to keep the runner from reaching. Practice cuts and relays and communication regularly. This is not a concept that players will grasp in one or two practices. This must be mixed into practice plans throughout the year.
TERMS
Sure Double: A sure double is a ball hit past the outfielders that will result in no less than a double for the hitter. It is important to note this since the middle infielders will not cover 2nd base on a sure double. The first baseman will trail the runner.
Trailer: The first baseman (when not the cutoff man to the plate) will trail the hitter on a sure double. He is not racing the hitter to 2nd base. His timing should be to arrive at 2nd base as the hitter/runner rounds 2nd base and the throw arrives at the cutoff man.
Double Cut: *YOUNGER PLAYERS ONLY* The double cut is used on a sure double. Typically a double cut is only used for younger players who do not have the arm strength to get the ball back in to the infield with a single relay throw. Another occasion to use double cut would be on a field that has very deep fences or no fence at all. The back side infielder will first rotate to 2nd base until it is determined it is a sure double (he can make that determination on his own). The catcher will also call “double cut” to assure him that he is supposed to be the second cutoff man. He should position himself roughly halfway between the first cutoff man and the intended target base.
Tandem Relay: *ADVANCED PLAYERS* This is often referred to as a double cut; however, we will refer to this as a tandem relay to avoid confusion, since a true double cut is needed at younger levels when a ball is relayed twice. The tandem relay is used on a sure double. The catcher will alert the infielders that it is a Tandem Relay and that the opposite infielder should now go out to be the back man in the tandem. He will first rotate to 2nd base until it is determined it is a sure double (he can also make that determination on his own before he hears the catcher). He should position himself roughly 20 ft. behind the front relay man. The outfielder throws to either player, but should aim high to the first man. Both relay players must communicate with each other who will take the throw once it is in flight.
VERBAL CALLS
Timing of the call is important. Too early, and a poor decision could be made because the play has not developed enough. Too late, and the relay man may not be able to follow the direction of the player who calls it.
One, two, three, or four: If the ball needs to be helped to the target base or redirected to another base, the player at the target base will call the number of the base that he wants it to go.
Cut or Cut Hold: If there is no play at the target base or any other base, the call will be, “CUT-HOLD”, or just “CUT!” The cutoff man will then just return the ball to the pitcher.
No Call: Anytime no call is made, the relay man will let the ball pass through to the target base. The relay man can pop his glove, and fake a cut to attempt keeping the trail runner at their current base.
CUTOFF POSITIONING
| No Runners On Base – Single to LF | |
| POSITION | ACTION |
| P | Moves toward 1B |
| C | Trails Runner to 1B |
| 1B | Backs up Potential Throw to 2B by being in line from ball to 2B |
| 2B | Covers 2B |
| SS | Lines up Throw to 2B |
| 3B | Moves Toward Mound for Potential Deflected Ball |
| LF | Fields Batted Ball |
| CF | Backs Up LF |
| RF | Moves to Back up Throw to 2B |
| No Runners On Base – Single to CF | |
| POSITION | ACTION |
| P | Backs up 2B |
| C | Trails Runner to 1B |
| 1B | Concedes bag to Runner then circles behind to cover 1B |
| 2B | Covers 2B |
| SS | Lines up Throw to 2B |
| 3B | Moves Toward Mound for Potential Deflected Ball |
| LF | Backs up CF |
| CF | Fields Batted Ball |
| RF | Backs up CF |
| No Runners On Base – Single to RF | |
| POSITION | ACTION |
| P | Backs up 1B on Potential throw behind from RF |
| C | Trails Runner to 1B |
| 1B | Attempts at Batted Ball and Stays Away from 1B to allow Runner to Round Bag |
| 2B | Lines up Throw to 2B |
| SS | Covers 2B |
| 3B | Backs up Potential Throw to 2B |
| LF | Backs up Throw to 2B |
| CF | Backs up RF |
| RF | Fields Batted Ball |
| Runner at 1B – Single to LF | |
| POSITION | ACTION |
| P | Backs up 3B |
| C | Stays at Home Plate Ready to Back up Pitcher |
| 1B | Backs up 2B |
| 2B | Covers 2B |
| SS | Lines up Throw to 3B |
| 3B | Covers 3B |
| LF | Fields Batted Ball; Throws Strike to SS |
| CF | Backs Up LF |
| RF | Backs up 2B for Potential Throw Behind |
| Runner at 1B – Single to CF | |
| POSITION | ACTION |
| P | Backs up 3B |
| C | Covers Home |
| 1B | Clears 1B for Runner and Covers after Runner Rounds |
| 2B | Covers 2B |
| SS | Lines up Throw to 3B |
| 3B | Covers 3B |
| LF | Backs Up CF |
| CF | Fields Batted Ball; Throws Strike to SS |
| RF | Backs up CF |
| Runner at 1B – Single to RF | |
| POSITION | ACTION |
| P | Backs up 3B |
| C | Stays at Home Plate Ready to Back up Pitcher |
| 1B | Clears 1B for Runner and Covers after Runner Rounds |
| 2B | Covers 2B |
| SS | Cut Man to 3B |
| 3B | Covers 3B |
| LF | Backs Up 3B |
| CF | Backs Up RF |
| RF | Fields Batted Ball; Throws to 3B |
| Runner at 2B – Single to LF | |
| POSITION | ACTION |
| P | Backs Up Home |
| C | Covers Home |
| 1B | Clears 1B for Runner and Covers after Runner Rounds; If Ball is hit to Left of SS he moves to mound area to be cut to home |
| 2B | Covers 2B |
| SS | Covers 3B |
| 3B | Lines Up Throw Home |
| LF | Fields Batted Ball; Throws Home |
| CF | Backs Up LF |
| RF | Moves to Infield Area |
| Runner at 2B – Single to CF | |
| POSITION | ACTION |
| P | Backs Up Home |
| C | Covers Home |
| 1B | Cutoff Man behind Mound Area in line with Home |
| 2B | Covers 1B |
| SS | Covers 2B |
| 3B | Covers 3B after Runner Rounds |
| LF | Backs Up 3B |
| CF | Fields Batted Ball; Throws Home |
| RF | Back up CF |
| Runner at 2B – Single to RF | |
| POSITION | ACTION |
| P | Backs Up Home |
| C | Covers Home |
| 1B | Cutoff Man in line with Home |
| 2B | Covers 1B |
| SS | Covers 2B |
| 3B | Covers 3B after Runner Rounds |
| LF | Backs Up 2B Area |
| CF | Backs Up RF |
| RF | Fields Batted Ball; Throws Home |
| Runners at 1st & 2B – Single to LF | |
| POSITION | ACTION |
| P | Splits the Difference Between 3rd and Home; Backs Up Base Being Thrown to |
| C | Covers Home |
| 1B | Covers First After Round |
| 2B | Covers 2B |
| SS | Covers 3B |
| 3B | Cut Man to Home in Infield Grass |
| LF | Fields Batted Ball; Throws Home |
| CF | Backs Up LF |
| RF | Moves in Toward Infield |
| Runners at 1st & 2B – Single to CF | |
| POSITION | ACTION |
| P | Splits the Difference Between 3rd and Home; Backs Up Base Being Thrown to |
| C | Covers Home |
| 1B | Cut off Man for throw Home |
| 2B | Covers 2B |
| SS | Lines Up Throw to 3B |
| 3B | Covers 3B |
| LF | Backs Up CF |
| CF | Fields Batted Ball; Throws Home Through Cut Man |
| RF | Backs Up CF |
| Runners at 1st & 2B – Single to RF | |
| POSITION | ACTION |
| P | Splits the Difference Between 3rd and Home; Backs Up Base Being Thrown to |
| C | Covers Home |
| 1B | Cut Off Man For Throw Home |
| 2B | Covers 2B |
| SS | Lines Up Throw to 3B |
| 3B | Covers 3B |
| LF | Moves Toward Infield |
| CF | Backs Up RF |
| RF | Fields Batted Ball; Throws Home Through Cut Man |
| No Runners On Base – Sure Double to LF (Toward Foul Line) | |
| POSITION | ACTION |
| P | Backs Up 3B |
| C | Covers Home |
| 1B | Trails Runner to 2B |
| 2B | Covers 3B |
| SS | Front of Tandem Relay or Double Cut |
| 3B | Back of Tandem Relay or Double Cut |
| LF | Fields Batted Ball; Throws Strike to Tandem Relay |
| CF | Backs Up LF |
| RF | Moves in Toward Infield |
| No Runners On Base – Sure Double to Left Center | |
| POSITION | ACTION |
| P | Backs Up 3B |
| C | Covers Home |
| 1B | Trails Runner to 2B |
| 2B | Back of Tandem Relay or Double Cut |
| SS | Front of Tandem Relay or Double Cut |
| 3B | Covers 3B |
| LF | Goes For Batted Ball; Throws Strike to Tandem Relay |
| CF | Goes For Batted Ball; Throws Strike to Tandem Relay |
| RF | Moves in Toward Infield |
| No Runners On Base – Sure Double to Right Center | |
| POSITION | ACTION |
| P | Backs Up 3B |
| C | Covers Home |
| 1B | Trails Runner to 2B |
| 2B | Front of Tandem Relay or Double Cut |
| SS | Back of Tandem Relay or Double Cut |
| 3B | Covers 3B |
| LF | Moves in Toward Infield |
| CF | Goes For Batted Ball; Throws Strike to Tandem Relay |
| RF | Goes For Batted Ball; Throws Strike to Tandem Relay |
| No Runners On Base – Sure Double to RF (Toward Foul Line) | |
| POSITION | ACTION |
| P | Backs Up 3B |
| C | Covers Home |
| 1B | Cut Off Man for Throw Home |
| 2B | Front of Tandem Relay or Double Cut |
| SS | Back of Tandem Relay or Double Cut |
| 3B | Covers 3B |
| LF | Moves in Toward Infield |
| CF | Backs Up RF |
| RF | Fields Batted Ball; Throws Strike to Tandem Relay |
* Sure Doubles with a Runner at First – Tandem or Double Cut will Line up to Home Plate