Open hand and open glove pickoff

The manner in which professional players ask for a pickoff attempt at 2nd base is extending their arm in the direction of 2nd base. If they're the 2B it's an open bare hand. If it's the SS, it's an open glove as they approach the bag.

The pitcher, when he sees daylight(space between the runner and the infielder), turns and fires to the awaiting infielder.

The pickoff play is predicated on the ability of the pitcher to spin glove side and throw to the bag for the awaiting infielder. The play needs good timing and understanding of when to use this move.

The middle infielder should ask for this type of pickoff in one of two spots. The first time that the pickoff would be appropriate is when the runner is attempting to steal 2nd base. Primarily, this comes with 1 out as the man on 2nd attempts to reach 3rd base with 1 out. The primary lead might get a little too big and the runner become very vulnerable at 2nd base.

A second time that this pickoff would be appropriate is with a man on 2nd and a bunt situtaion. Often times the runner at 2nd is trying to get a larger lead so he can advance on the bunted ball. This advantage that he is trying to gain can be exploited with this pickoff. Typically it follows the wheel play. After the runner on 2nd sees the wheel, the defense uses the pickoff play at 2nd base. The shortstop breaks to 3rd ane the 2B breaks to the bag and the pitcher turns and fires to the bag for a pickoff attempt.

This play needs a major caveat. That caveat is in amateur baseball sometimes it's very difficult for a pitcher to be accurate with this throw. If a pitcher can't turn and throw to the bag, then it shouldn't be utilized.