🧠 BASEBALL IQ & GAME SITUATIONS

Ages 10-12
This is the thinking layer for 12U. The mechanics live in the other drill cards — this sheet is about knowing what to do before the ball is hit. Run these as walk-throughs first (no live ball, just "where's the play?"), then add a ball and runners. The single biggest 12U upgrade is the pre-pitch routine below: every player counting the outs and knowing their play before every pitch.
Know Your Job (Pre-Pitch Routine) 6-8 min
Equipment
Full defense on the field, bases, runners (cones or players)
Setup & Execution
Put the defense out with a base/out situation. Before each pitch, walk the team through three questions out loud: How many outs? Where are the runners? Where's my play if it comes to me? Then roll/hit a ball and see if everyone executes the play they just called. This is the habit that separates a 12U team that "thinks" from one that reacts.
The Three Questions
  • Outs? Hold up fingers - everyone says it together
  • Runners? Where's the lead runner, and is there a force?
  • My play? "Ground ball to me, I go to ___. Fly ball, I ___."
  • Middle infielders signal who's covering on a steal (open mouth / closed mouth behind the glove)
  • Make it automatic - call it every pitch in practice and they'll do it in games
Key Phrase
"Outs, runners, my play — every pitch, before the pitch."
Runner on 3rd, Less Than 2 Outs 8-10 min
Equipment
Infield, a runner on third, balls
Setup & Execution
The defining run-prevention situation. Set the infield depth and rep the decision on a ground ball: do we hold the run and take the out at first, or play the infield in and try to get the runner at home? Hit grounders to every position and have them execute the called depth. Add a fly ball so outfielders practice the throw home and runners practice tagging.
The Read
  • Decide the depth BEFORE the pitch and tell the whole infield: "in" or "back"
  • Infield back = concede the run, get the sure out at first (good early, or when you're up runs)
  • Infield in = cut off the run at home (use late or in a tight game) - but it lets more balls through
  • Corners and middle must all play the SAME depth - mixed signals lose the play
  • On a fly ball: outfielder catches and throws home through the cutoff; corner/relay lines it up
Pro Tip
At 12U, "infield in" early in a game often costs more runs than it saves - balls that would be routine outs sneak through. Play the percentages: take the out and the run early, pinch in only when one run decides the game.
Two Outs, Runner on First 6-8 min
Equipment
Infield, runner on first, balls
Setup & Execution
Two outs changes the math: any force gets you out of the inning, so take the easiest one. Rep grounders to each position and have fielders take the sure force - usually first base, or second if it's right there. No need to turn two; no need to chase the lead runner. Teach them to know the count of outs so they don't make a hard throw they don't need.
The Read
  • Two outs + a force anywhere = take the easiest out to end the inning
  • Don't try to turn two when one ends it - the simple out is the safe out
  • Slow roller or deep in the hole? Go to the bag that's a sure thing, even if it's first
  • Outfield: with two outs, catch it and you're done - no risky throws, just secure it
  • Everyone says "two outs, one and done" so nobody overthinks the play
Skills Focus
Force-play awareness Sure out Out count
Bases Loaded / Force at Every Base 8-10 min
Equipment
Full infield, catcher gear, runners on all bases, balls
Setup & Execution
With the bases loaded there's a force at every base, including home. Rep the priorities: with fewer than two outs and the ball hit sharply, the play is often home-to-first for two; with the run-prevention priority, the catcher takes the force at the plate. Hit balls to each position and have them call and execute the play. Reset the out count between reps so they re-read it.
The Read
  • Force is live at every base - including home, where the catcher just needs a foot on the plate
  • Sharp grounder, <2 outs: a 2-3 (home then first) double play kills the rally - call it pre-pitch
  • Slow roller or must-stop-the-run: get the force at home from the corner/pitcher
  • Middle of the field: take the sure double play (6-4-3 / 4-6-3) if it's there, otherwise one sure out
  • Catcher quarterbacks it - loud call of where the lead force is going
Pro Tip
Keep it simple under pressure: pick the team's default ("we go home with less than two outs on anything hit hard") and rep it until it's reflex. A confident, simple play beats a fancy one the kids second-guess.
Cutoffs & Relays — Who Lines It Up 10-12 min
Equipment
Full field, outfielders + infielders, balls, runners
Setup & Execution
Extends the Relay/Cutoff Basics drill into full-team team defense. Hit balls to the gaps and down the lines and rep who the cutoff man is for each throw and where the trail runner is going. The cutoff man lines up between the outfielder and the target base; an infielder (often the one not taking the cut) directs him with a loud "cut" or "let it go." Run it live with runners so the throw decision is real.
The Read
  • Ball to LF/CF going to third: shortstop is the cutoff. Ball to RF/CF going to third: SS still lines it up
  • Throw going home: first baseman (corner) is the cutoff on most fields at 12U
  • Cutoff man: get in a straight line, hands up high, give a big chest target
  • A teammate yells the call: "Cut home!", "Cut two!", or "Let it go!"
  • Hit the cutoff man - a single accurate relay beats a long airmailed throw every time
Skills Focus
Cutoff alignment Communication Team defense
Live Situations Scrimmage 15-20 min
Equipment
Full field, two small groups, catcher gear, balls
Setup & Execution
The capstone. Put a defense on the field and a few runners/hitters up. The coach sets the situation ("runners on first and second, one out") and either hits a fungo or lets a batter put it in play. Freeze after the play and review: did everyone do their job? Rotate hitters into the field. This rehearses everything — pre-pitch routine, leads, cutoffs, force plays — at game speed.
Coaching Points
  • Call the situation OUT LOUD before each rep so everyone re-reads outs and runners
  • Freeze and ask "where should you have been?" after any blown play - teach in the moment
  • Reward the right decision even when the execution misses - you're building the read
  • Keep it moving - lots of reps, short teaching points, don't lecture
  • This is where rec and travel diverge: travel reps it more and faster, rec keeps it lighter and positive
Pro Tip
Ten minutes of live situations at the end of practice teaches more game IQ than an hour of isolated drills. Make it the standard close to your 12U practices.
Baseball IQ & Game Situations