How much do R1s need to know about LHPs?

Only the poor lefties do this. I am a lefty and it is inexcusable in my book for a varsity level pitcher to fall in this tendency. Drives me crazy!

No matter a slow runner or fast runner, the runner should know everything you know as you never know what might come up.

IF that is to much information for the player than he probably shouldn't be at that level, don't assume it might be to much as you never know what the kid will absorb. Another way to look at it is that could be a future coach you are coaching so teach him right, becuase he might teach the next ricky henderson or ty cobb.

I totally agree with the right arm of zeus. I want my players to learn the game. I want them to be able to effectively teach the game one day if they decide to coach.

I do not want to get off of the subject, but this does bring up a question. Does a steal off of a lefty have to automatically have to be on the first movement, because there are things you can read off of a LHP?

Nicholas25...my answer to your question is "no" because first movement can apply to a rightie as well. I used to run two different steal signs. Normal (which means read the pitcher) and first movement. It gave me a way to differentiate which I expected in a variety of situations.

It's not clear to me why we'd want out players to learn something--and hope that they'll teach it in the future when they become coaches--when the knowledge being imparted is not only irrelevant, but counter-productive in terms of helping a baserunner perform.

A LHP's tendencies of where he looks prior to delivering are irrelevant in terms of helping an R1 time either his sec. lead or jump on a steal.

Here's a compromise: Teach your players about this habit of LHPs. Then tell them: DO NOT use this knowledge. It's interesting but irrelevant, and may contribute to your getting picked off.

(The exception: It could be useful to an R1 who has a greenlight to select the pitch he's stealing on. Personally, as a 3B coach, I select the pitch. Others may differ.)

Freddy,
IMO, possible scenarios that would make the info relevant - If the LHP tendancies are consistent, R1 can get potentially get an early jump (even before first move) or better avoid getting picked, as well as rattle the LHP and opposing team.

A decent varsity LHP should be capable of varying to where this is not the case, but they aren't always decent.

Nicholas,
There are other scenarios where you wouldn't have to go on first move - big leg kick that goes past the plane of the mound, slow catcher POP, tendancies per above, etc. But typically, at HS varsity level, successful straight steal against LHP requires 1st move steal.

I think its very important when your teaching, coaching your players that you teach them why. If your coaching them to do something wether it be stealing a base or fielding a ground ball its important to also teach them why you are telling them to do it a certain way. For instance "Do it like this because thats the way I want you to do it." Vs "Do it like this because ____________ ."

Many times your best coaches are your upper classman. You certainly want them to know why so they can teach it and can coach your younger players. From open backhand to closed backhand. Etc etc etc. Players learn when they know why and what the benefits are from doing something a certain way. If you simply teach them something for the sake of them doing it the way you want it done and do not also teach them why they should do it that way your not coaching them or teaching them properly imo.

quote:

Originally posted by cabbagedad:
If the LHP tendancies are consistent, R1 can get potentially get an early jump (even before first move)

Cabbagedad,
This is a new one for me. It seems high risk vs. a LHP in the set position.

Coach May,
I totally agree about the value of teaching players "why". However, I think you'll agree this value has to balanced against the value of keeping it simple, eliminating gray areas, and paying due respect to Murphy's Law when we ask players to execute certain tactics.

quote:

Cabbagedad,
This is a new one for me. It seems high risk vs. a LHP in the set position.

Freddy,
In your scenario, you are correct. R1 could get back to first earlier but not an early jump. There would have to be a different type of tendancy for R1 to get an early jump.

Lol yes I agree