Infielder's Internal Clock - aka various times to run to first

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I'm working on my daughter's internal clock so she knows when she has time to make a normal play or if she has to "rush". On a normal play you field, get your body set and make a nice crisp throw to first. To do that you have xx amount of seconds "depending". On a rushed play the player is faster than normal, you have taken up some time coming in on the ball, going left or right, and all that "non can of corn" play stuff. And naturally if you know a player is fast you adjust and such.

So....

I keep hearing that if someone is a sub 2.8 (seconds) from batters box to first then you are a great candidate for a slapper. Is that true? Assume for a moment it is. With that in mind we started out using 3.5 seconds. I would hit a routine grounder to 3B and would start counting. She would field the ball and using good form throw over to first before that 3.5 seconds is up. Then we would speed things up a bit and work on reducing what "routine" is for her and all that "getting better" stuff.

Which leads to....
What are some good values to use for an internal clock? Would you stick with 3.5 seconds for "generic normal" and improve from there?

 

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We use three seconds in practice.

 

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Agree with Carol. Its a three second game. Start counting from the crack of the bat, you need to be able to release the ball before the three count.

 

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Release the ball before three or it hits the 1B's glove before 3?

 

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Also, thanks for the input so far.

 

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3 seconds for us too, max

 

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Super, thanks.

 

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My oldest who is 15U and a sophomore runs from home to 1st in 2.91 now and a slapper. I use that time to get my 12U dd faster when fielding a ball. I tell her 2.5 as soon as it hits the bat to get the ball to first. Sometimes I drive the ball hard, sometimes soft and I use a fast count too.

 

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I'm not going to rush the count because I want her to have an accurate clock and know when she has to actually rush and take chances or when she can make a solid play. As time moves on I'll reduce from 3 seconds to a lower value but each time I'll be as accurate with her as I know how.

 

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We've all seen the kid with eyes on the runner instead of the ball, and they boot the ball in the process. I think "3 seconds" is an abstract thought to many young kids - they REALLY don't know how long that is. But adults know from experience. I sometimes think if you over emphasize this "3-second rule" you'll get a kid thinking too much about a stopwatch and not enough on the task at hand - efficient fielding and throwing.

Honestly, I think a simple focus on efficiency - no wasted motions - quickness out of the glove and good snap throws goes a long way in reducing that time. Develop good habits doing everything correctly - and QUICKLY, and the rest will take care of itself. As they get older, the "internal clock" will become second nature. The ONLY way to get there is with thousands of different speed grounders followed by well executed fielding and throws.

 

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Quit trying to put so much thought into these kids head, Field the ball and throw the girl out, you will get much better results.....

 

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Honestly, I think a simple focus on efficiency - no wasted motions - quickness out of the glove and good snap throws goes a long way in reducing that time. Develop good habits doing everything correctly - and QUICKLY, and the rest will take care of itself. As they get older, the "internal clock" will become second nature. The ONLY way to get there is with thousands of different speed grounders followed by well executed fielding and throws.

That's what I'm doing. As I'm doing a quick 1 1000, 2 1000, I'm looking at her footwork, how hard she charges, and the throw. We stop, talk, and go back at it. Sometimes, I have my dd run while I hit. I tell her if she can get her out, she is fine at 12U. Advantages of having a track star as an older dd.