Baserunning Drill: Tag Up Drill (Baseball & Softball)
Teaches the timing and technique for tagging up on fly balls. Focus on leaving the instant the ball is caught, not a moment before.
How to Run This Drill
- Set up at second or third base - these are the most common tag-up situations in games.
- Runner starts with one foot touching the base, body facing the outfielder who will catch the fly ball.
- Coach or player in the outfield throws the ball high into the air to simulate a fly ball.
- While the ball is in the air, the runner keeps one foot on the base and watches the ball. Get into an athletic stance, ready to explode.
- The instant the ball hits the outfielder's glove, the runner pushes off and sprints to the next base.
- Practice the timing repeatedly - the goal is to leave at the exact moment of the catch, not before (illegal) or after (too slow).
Coaching Points
- Keep one foot on the base while the ball is in the air
- Get in an athletic stance ready to explode
- Leave the instant the ball is caught - not before
- Push off hard and sprint - dont jog
- Going halfway on fly balls often prevents advancement - commit to tagging
Quick Actions
At a Glance
Categories
Baserunning
Focus Areas
ReadsTechnique
Age Groups
11-1213-1415-1617-1818+7-89-10
Players
1-12 players
Difficulty
intermediate
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