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Defensive positioning drill guides
Practical explanations for learning where defenders move when the ball is in play.
These instructional guides explain common principles; they do not represent exact in-app scenarios or replace your coach’s judgment for your team and league.
How to Practice Defensive Decisions in Youth BaseballHelp 10U and 12U players practice defensive decisions: know the outs and runners, read the ball, choose a play and explain each defender's job.
10U Cutoff Rules: Who Covers WhereA youth baseball cutoff decision guide: name the throw, its receiver, the vacated-base owner and a reachable backup before sending the ball.
5 Defensive Mistakes to Watch for in 11U BaseballFive common youth-defense decision errors, from confusing ball and throw backup to forcing a low-percentage throw, with conditional practice fixes.
Who Backs Up Home? Runner on 2nd, Single to Left-CenterOn a left-center single with a possible play at home, distinguish the batted-ball backup from the catcher’s throw backup and test whether anyone can arrive.
Line Drive to the Second Base Hole: Where Does the Throw Go?Two outs, runners on first and second: caught and uncaught line drives demand different answers. Learn when first, another out or a hold is available.
Fly Ball to Center, Runners on 1st and 3rd: Defensive Decision GuideZero outs with runners at first and third: read first touch, catch and retouch before choosing a tag-home throw, an appeal or a hold.
Ground Ball to Deep Right Field, Runners on 2nd and 3rdOne out and two runners in scoring position: a deep right-field ground ball requires a timely target, a chosen relay system and separate ball/throw backups.