An ORIGIN program
ORIGIN Defense.
Team defense, a program of the game pillar.
Nine players, one defense.
ORIGIN Defense is every player in the field, the pitcher and catcher included.
Cutoffs and relays, bunt coverages, first and third, pickoffs and rundowns, and the talk that keeps a ball from falling. The pitcher fields her position and backs up the throw. The catcher covers the plate and calls where the ball goes. Battery teaches them to pitch and catch. Defense teaches all nine to defend.
The right base.
The ball goes where the out is.
On a ball driven deep, the throw is not always to the lead runner. Players learn to read the runners, hit the cutoff, and hold the trail runner to the base she earned. Footwork, a clean exchange and an accurate throw, repeated until they hold under pressure.
What it’s built on.
For players
Know where to be before the pitch. Every player learns her position, the job of every position around her, and where the ball goes next.
For coaches
Positions taught in progressions and team defense taught as one system, so every coverage has one answer, from the circle to the fence.
At practice
Ground balls, fly balls and bunts with a purpose, throws to a target, and team defense run until it talks.
On game day
Nine players moving as one. The ball finds a glove, the throw finds the right base, and the next play is already understood.
The whole secret. Every ball has an owner.
Own the ball.