Baseball Cutoff and Relay Plays: A Coach's Guide
A cutoff and relay is how your defense turns an outfield hit into an out or, at worst, keeps the runner from taking an extra base. On any ball to the outfield, an infielder lines up between the outfielder and the target base so one long, weak throw becomes two short, accurate ones. Teach the routes, the alignment, and the loud communication, and you will stop giving up two to three free bases every game.
This guide breaks the system down for youth and travel coaches: who goes where, how to line up, the exact steps to drill it, and the mistakes that quietly cost you runs. Diagram it on a board in front of your team and it clicks fast.
What is the difference between a cutoff and a relay?
A cutoff man is the infielder who lines up in the throwing lane to a base and can intercept the throw to redirect it, hold it, or let it travel. A relay is used on deep balls, usually to the gaps or down the lines, where the outfielder cannot reach the target base on one throw. The relay man runs out toward the outfielder, catches the throw, spins, and fires to the base. Same idea, different distance: the cutoff shortens a medium throw, the relay chains two throws together on a long one.
The reason both exist is simple. A young outfielder who tries to throw a runner out at the plate from 250 feet almost always sails it, one-hops it short, or misses the base entirely. Two crisp throws of 130 feet each are faster and far more accurate than one desperate heave, and the cutoff man gives you the option to stop the lead runner from advancing behind the play.
Where should the cutoff man line up?
The cutoff man sets up roughly 45 to 60 feet in front of the base, standing directly in the throwing lane with both hands up as a target. He faces the outfielder, listens for the direction call from the trailing infielder or catcher, and stays ready to cut the ball or let it go. Hands high is the whole trick: it gives the outfielder a clear chest-high aiming point and keeps the throw on a line instead of in the dirt.
Here is a basic single-cut alignment on a base hit to left field with a runner trying to score. The shortstop slides into the lane as the cutoff, and the throw comes home through him.
Dashed line is the throw from the outfielder to the cutoff. Solid arrow is the redirected throw to the base.
How to run the relay on an extra-base hit
On a ball in the gap or down the line, you chain two throws together. Middle infielders handle most relays, and the whole play should feel like one smooth motion. Teach it in this order.
Who covers the cutoff on each type of hit?
Coaches love arguing the details, but a simple, memorable system beats a perfect one your players cannot remember. Here is a clean starting framework for youth and travel teams. Adjust as your players grow, but keep it this simple to install.
Shortstop is the cutoff man. The third baseman covers third behind the runner.
First baseman is the cutoff man. The second baseman covers first or trails the play.
Shortstop is the cutoff on balls to left and center; the pitcher backs up third.
Middle infielder becomes the relay man; the other trails as a double-cut backup.
Second baseman cuts the throw to third and can redirect if the batter rounds first.
Corners cover their bases, pitcher backs up, and the catcher directs the whole play with his voice.
Common mistakes that cost you bases
Most cutoff breakdowns are not about arm strength. They are about routes, hands, and noise. Watch for these in practice and you will fix the majority of the bad throws that let runners advance.
The cutoff man drifts too close to the base, so the outfielder has no room to redirect. Hands stay down, so the throw comes in at the knees. Nobody calls the play, so the ball sails to a base the runner already gave up on. And the outfielder aims at the base instead of the cutoff man's chest, turning a catchable relay into a rally. Drill the target and the voice every single practice.
Custom Pro Baseball or Softball Whiteboard -w Handle
A two-sided field board makes cutoff and relay routes obvious in seconds. Draw the lanes, walk your players through the calls, and wipe it clean for the next situation.
Cutoff and relay FAQ
A cutoff man intercepts a medium throw in the lane to a base. A relay man is used on long throws, catching an outfielder's throw and firing a second throw to the base.
On balls to left or center, the shortstop is the cutoff. On balls to right field, the first baseman is the cutoff.
Roughly 45 to 60 feet in front of the target base, directly in the throwing lane, with both hands raised as a chest-high target.
The trailing infielder or the catcher. They yell the base or "let it go" so the cutoff man reacts instantly instead of turning to look.
The system is identical. The bases are closer, so relays happen a little less, but the alignment, hands up, and loud calls are exactly the same.
On deep gap shots with runners trying for a triple or an inside-the-park run, send two relay men in a short line for a backup throw.
Diagram every cutoff on one board
Players learn routes faster when they can see them. A dry-erase field board lets you draw the lanes, mark the cutoff man, and walk through the calls in the dugout or on the field, then wipe it clean for the next situation. Build yours with your team colors and logo.
