Tag-Up Drill For 8-9 Year Olds

A Drill to Teach Young Players the Basics of Tagging Up on Fly Balls

The Tag-Up Drill simulates fly-ball tagging-up situations to help young players understand game strategy and develop quick decision-making skills. This drill is designed to be challenging yet fun, ideal for 8-9-year-old players who are just starting to learn base-running tactics.

Difficulty Rating: ★★★☆☆ (Moderate)
Time Estimate: 10-15 minutes

Setup:

  1. Equipment Needed:
  • Baseballs
  • Four bases
  • Cones or markers for fielding positions (optional)
  1. Field Setup:
  • Set up a standard diamond with all four bases.
  • Position a fielder in the outfield (or multiple fielders if you have a larger group).
  • Have one runner at each base (or set up in rotations if group size allows) ready to practice tagging up.
  1. Coach Position:
  • The coach stands near home plate with a bucket of balls to hit fly balls to the outfield.

How to Run the Drill:

  1. Coach Hits Fly Balls:
  • The coach hits a fly ball into the outfield, giving the outfielder time to track it down. The goal is to hit fly balls deep enough that a runner would need to tag up to advance.
  1. Runner Prepares to Tag Up:
  • The runner on each base starts in a ready position, watching the ball and preparing to tag up as soon as the outfielder catches it.
  • When the outfielder makes the catch, the runner must wait until the moment of the catch before taking off to the next base.
  1. Fielders Throw to Bases:
  • The outfielder’s goal is to catch the ball and make an accurate throw to the infield, trying to beat the runner advancing to the next base.
  • The infielders cover the bases and try to tag the runner if the throw arrives in time.
  1. Rotate Positions:
  • Rotate players between the bases, outfield, and infield positions, ensuring everyone practices both tagging up and fielding responsibilities.

Why You Run This Drill:

The Tag-Up Drill is essential for teaching young players the importance of tagging up and understanding the rules around advancing on fly balls. Tagging up is a vital base-running skill that requires quick thinking, proper timing, and understanding of game strategy. This drill teaches players to stay alert, wait for the catch, and anticipate the throw to advance safely.

Key Skills Developed:

  • Base-Running Awareness: Players learn when to advance and how to judge the right moment to tag up based on the fly ball’s depth and fielder positioning.
  • Game Strategy: The drill emphasizes the importance of timing and decision-making, helping players understand how to gain an extra base safely.
  • Throwing Accuracy: Fielders work on catching fly balls and making strong, accurate throws to the infield.

Coaching Notes & FAQs:

Coaching Tips:

  • Emphasize Patience: Teach runners to wait until the ball is caught before taking off. Rushing can lead to easy outs, so make sure they understand the importance of timing.
  • Clear Communication: Encourage fielders to call out when they have the ball, and remind runners to listen to the coach for signals to advance.
  • Stay Safe and Have Fun: This drill should be both instructional and fun. Praise players for good decisions and hustle, even if they don’t always beat the throw.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  1. What should I do if the runner leaves the base too early?
  • Remind them that they must stay on the base until the outfielder catches the ball. If this keeps happening, slow down the drill to focus on timing and show them how to wait for the catch.
  1. Can this drill be adjusted for different skill levels?
  • Absolutely! For more advanced players, add in specific scenarios (e.g., tagging from third with one out) to encourage quick, strategic decision-making. For beginners, start with shorter throws and simpler tags until they’re comfortable.
  1. How often should this drill be practiced?
  • The Tag-Up Drill is beneficial to run once a week as part of a comprehensive practice that covers both fielding and base-running. Consistent repetition will help players become comfortable with this strategy.

The Tag-Up Drill is a fun and educational way to introduce young players to the basics of tagging up and running the bases effectively. By simulating real game scenarios, this drill prepares them for the decisions they’ll face in games and builds their confidence on the field.