This is a drill to teach the right-handed pick off move.  It can be run as a group drill during Station Instruction, or one-on-one with an athlete.  Pick Offs – 1B teaches the fundamental steps to a successful pick off move.

EXECUTION – If operating drill with a group, place a single cone down for each athlete to use as a pitching rubber.  Set up a catch net 30-40 feet away from the cones to catch throws.  Ideally, place the catch net 15-20 feet in front of a fence to stop roller baseballs.

Part I / Pick Off Fundamentals – Slow motion, step-by-step repetitions to teach and feel pick off fundamentals.  Conduct 3-4 repetitions where the athletes move together as a group, holding each movement to truly feel the positions.

• Right – Right foot moves first, turning so that the inside of the ankle points to 1B (catch net).
• Left – Left foot moves second, landing in a straight line between right foot and catch net.
• Throw – Arms have already moved up into the throwing position, then a quick and aggressive throw is let go.

Part II / Repetitions – Gradually speed up the pace of the pick with your verbals and energy.  As speed increases and the movement becomes more of a jumping-action, remind the athletes that the right foot MUST move first.  This is both to avoid a balk but also to build power, momentum, and direction towards first base.

PART III / Assignments – Allow each athlete to lead the group, using verbals to lead each step of the mound progression steps (see drill Mound Progression). 

Straddle –> Step On –> Look In –> Come Set

From this point, athletes are to hold for a specific number of seconds before executing a pick off move at full speed.  Allow each athlete to lead the group and assign a different hold time (seconds holding the baseball).

DC KEYS

1. Slow First – Force the athletes to physically feel what they may already do athletically.  Accountability 101.
2. Verbals – I don’t care how fast you go… gotta be right, left, throw.  “Wings up,” is another good one for the arms.
3. Short Arm Path – Pick offs involve a short throwing motion.  Typically, speeding up the feet will automatically shorten the arm path (from glove to cocked, throwing position).  However, it is always good to remind athletes that a pick off throw is quick and short – thrown from the ear.

CLOSING – Hold times and options.  Once the athletes have been taught proper pick off fundamentals, use any extra time to introduce the variables to holding runners:

• Hold Times – The amount of time measured from coming set… to making a movement.
• Options – Once set, there are only three allowed movements:  1) Pitch home; 2) Step off; and, 3. Pick off
• Assignments – Practice these!

EQUIPMENT LIST