Baserunning - reading the pitcher

The feet are the first things that have to move in order to avoid a balk. So start there. I have taught runners to read the right heel on a rh pitcher as he must lift his heel to move off the rubber. This is with advanced players, HS and above. Some will teach the glove side knee or foot as this will move in unison with the foot on the rubber. The runners focus will be of utmost importance as some just don't get a clear focus, they get nervous or tight and they are slow to move back. Have your runners hang their arms loosely toward the ground and their feet wide enough so that they can move quickly. Some runners will read certain parts of the pitcher better than other parts, so don't be afraid to experiment. Different pitchers will also move differently or look differently. Forget the head and shoulders, feet and legs move first. On a lefty, the pitcher has to come over on a nice 45 degree angle with glove side foot/leg he or could be guilty of a balk. I suggest a 12 yr old learning should stay closer to the bag until they learn to read a lefty. I sure others will pitch in some good advice here. Good luck.

Good post, Coachric.

I imagine at that age with a lefty the shoulders ought to be the easiest read, if not the whole body.

I've got to admit, I've taught the same way at the younger ages 12-13U. "Watch the feet" was my advice against a RHP, because they have to move early if he's coming to first. A lefty, not as easy because of the 45 degree angle that they area allowed. We'd usually shorten up a step or two with a lefty on the mound.

quote:

Originally posted by YHF:
Working with 12u kids on baserunning under OBR. We've had a couple kids picked off this past weekend and so it's once again a point of emphasis.

I'd like to get some ideas from the group here on how you teach your kids to...

1. get their lead
2. read the pitcher's move (shoulders? feet? etc.)

Thanks.

Lead = heels on the bag...right, left, shuffle, shuffle. Walk slowly...when you shuffle, left foot replaces the right foot...slowly.

This leads puts you exactly a step and a dive back to the bag...no need to look back.

We always watch the pitchers heels or the back of his knees.

Thanks guys. Additional thoughts are still welcome.

Get them in a routine. Same thing each time. On bag watching for sign from 3rd BC. Pitch comes ready take large shuffle two step lead (primary) once pitcher comes set take secondary lead - off another full shuffle step. Never take eyes off Pitch, never cross over other leg, and with shuffle primary and secondary leads they will always know how far away they are. This puts them out one dive back to the bag. Faster kids will learn how to take a larger secondary and slower shorter.

Let some of your kids coach first and talk with them about watching pitchers and have them tell everyone when they get back to the dug out what they saw and what was the key move for each pitcher. They all are different and if they see more pitchers and don't have to worry about base running they will see things they might not otherwise. Make it a game for the kids and they will have fun with it and learn.

Be patient as it just takes some time.

When you're working with kids this young, you have to remember that you're teaching them much of this stuff for the first time, or they've only recently learned it, and maybe not the right way.

When I work with younger players, generally 13/14 year olds, I make a point of coaching first base myself to work with them on getting a solid routine down. I have them stand on the base with both heels on the base, then get their signs. If they didn't check the positioning of the outfielders before getting signs, they have to check were the outfielders are playing before taking their primary lead. We have them lead off with 'right, left, right, shuffle, shuffle.' This is a bit farther than some people prefer, but we've found that many young players STILL don't have a very big lead at this point. We also generally have them taking a 'one way' lead at this point. With this, they're just a step and dive to the back corner of the bag. Remember to coach the player to look away at a 45 degree angle when he contacts the bag diving back to protect his face from the ball, but also to look for an overthrow so that he can quickly get up and advance to second.

There seems to be some confusion about primary/secondary leads. A primary lead is whatever lead the runner it taking while the pitcher has the ball, including his shuffle steps. Once the pitcher begins his move toward the plate, the runner should then make a couple more quick shuffles further toward second, which is his secondary lead. As the runner shuffles into his secondary, he should be reading pitch trajectory for a ball in the dirt that he can advance on, they have to learn to anticipate this on every pitch.

quote:

Originally posted by redbird5:

quote:

Originally posted by YHF:
Working with 12u kids on baserunning under OBR. We've had a couple kids picked off this past weekend and so it's once again a point of emphasis.

I'd like to get some ideas from the group here on how you teach your kids to...

1. get their lead
2. read the pitcher's move (shoulders? feet? etc.)

Thanks.

Lead = heels on the bag...right, left, shuffle, shuffle. Walk slowly...when you shuffle, left foot replaces the right foot...slowly.

This leads puts you exactly a step and a dive back to the bag...no need to look back.

We always watch the pitchers heels or the back of his knees.

This is nearly IDENTICAL to what I was taught. We were always a step and a dive back to the base so there was no need to ever look at the base. It's not going anywhere..

RHP we focused on the back heel. It tells you everything you need to know. LHP is a little more difficult.

06CD gives some good advice on the secondary lead. In addition to reading for a ball in the dirt, the runner must be balanced at the end of the secondary so that he can come back to the bag in case of a catcher pick throw to the bag.

Run some drills in practice. Have the kids take what they think is their primary lead. If you have a coach with a good pick move, put him the mound. Have him make some pick attempts. The kids will get a better feel for how far their primary lead should/can be.

when we do our warmups (form running), we practice this. Heels on the line, DO NOT take a step off the bag until the pitcher is on the rubber. Then right, left, pivot, shuffle shuffle (while watching the pitcher). As others said, its a cross-over and dive back to the bag.

I act as the pitcher during these warmups. When I'm set, I'll do all kinds of stuff like throwing my head up and down, trying to get them to jump. If I step off or do a jump pivot, they have to dive back, even though its just warmups on the outfield grass. Do this every practice and game.

Sometimes, when I come set, I'll yell "Freeze" and check each of their leads. Some will take baby steps off the base, some will take giant steps.

Also, if they don't have a steal sign, they should never get picked off. If they're not stealing, they don't have to rush the secondary lead. They should have their left foot open a bit towards first base so its easier to get back.

also, have them read pitches in the dirt, so they can get a good jump and get to second. almost like a delayed steal. some guys are just more instinctive than others, but it can be taught.

quote:

They should have their left foot open a bit towards first base so its easier to get back.

We teach to have the right foot about a half a foot-length behind the left . That way when you go to steal, you move your left foot crossing over before your right foot moves. If they are even or your right foot is forward, you have to move it first while gaining no ground.

work on getting the maximum lead possible first, this takes practice over and over. Have your pitchers throw to the plate or work on their pickoffs as in a game and catchers try to throw them out, a fun practice session. I asked my son about reading the pitcher, he has not been thrown out in 2 years of hs and summer,fall ball and is not fast or slow, right in the middle, and he says it is just an instinct, somehow he knows when the pitcher is going home and often steals standing up. I don't know if it can be taught.