Rocket Relay

Originally Published in: Practice Perfect Softball

Provided by: Human Kinetics

RELAYS

Most teams use the shortstop as the primary relay person, but the second baseman has relay responsibility when the ball is hit to right field. She has to make throws to third base or home depending on where runners were to start the play. When she is the relay, she should be big and loud. She needs to be a visible target for the right fielder by having both hands up and communicating with the outfielder, letting her know in which direction she is expected to throw the ball (second base or third base). As the ball comes to her, she opens up so that she can use the momentum of the throw and redirect it to the appropriate base. We use Rocket Relay to work on the footwork and communication at every position.

Rocket Relay

Equipment

Softball

Setup

We put an outfielder on one end of the line and a catcher on the other. All potential relay people are in the center (figure 10.6). (We use multiple lines at once.)

Execution

The outfielder begins the drill by throwing the ball behind her that she retrieves and throws to the relay. The relay works on footwork and communication skills and relays the ball to the catcher, who receives and makes a tag. Going back, the catcher acts as if she is receiving a pitch and is throwing to second base on a steal. The relay moves the ball to the outfield, and we go again.