I tell runners to get lead as far as 3rd baseman is playing off bag. Once pitcher goes through windup process, runner is to take secondary walking lead. I expect him to brake for home if the ball gets past catcher. If catcher catches, runner loops back to third in fair territory (eliminating clear line to throw from catcher to third base.)
Hey Coach3, glad to have you aboard.
You may want to read the earlier posts in this thread. If you use the method you describe with less than 2 out (which was the original question), your runner will be stuck on a firm grounder straight back to 3b or within a step left or right. Unless I am missing what you are describing, the extra walking secondary creates the extra space that allows 3b to make the play on your R3. That's one of the things that initiated my OP... the young kids coming up into our program were all inclined to make that mistake. We don't want to lose our guy in scoring position here. Certainly open to differing opinions, though.