| Many Youth Baseball Coaches often overlook | | | | they are on base to pick up on tendencies. Good |
| base running. The coaches are usually busy | | | | base runners study the pitcher as soon as there |
| enough trying to keep kids focused during | | | | is a base runner. That is your job as a youth |
| practice. Smart base running by all your players | | | | baseball coach, to keep your players focused. |
| regardless of speed or talent will help make your | | | | This technique is for the aggressive style coach |
| team a winner. This article is an advanced article | | | | and player; not everyone will be able to use it. |
| on stealing bases. Be sure to read it, even if you | | | | Most youth baseball pitchers will be prone to |
| players are not stealing bases yet. Keep it filed | | | | some of the following. |
| away with your notes, this is very good stuff. A | | | | - May take a deep breath before delivering to |
| good base running team puts the other team on | | | | plate. |
| notice right away; we came here to play! | | | | - They only try to pick when set |
| Stealing Second Base | | | | - They only throw to base as they come down |
| Too many kids are picked off because they are | | | | to set. |
| looking at their coach give signals while standing | | | | - Pitcher always goes to base on a certain time |
| off of the bag. The Cardinal rule as a base runner | | | | count. |
| when not on the bag is Keep your eye on the ball. | | | | - They only try to pick one time. |
| Instruct your runners to get signs from the | | | | - They will not throw over after being set for |
| coaches with their foot on the bag, always! | | | | more 1 or 2 seconds. |
| Your players should always watch the pitcher | | | | - Only throws over on way up to the set position. |
| when taking a lead. Why? Because they have the | | | | Here is a method can be used at all levels of |
| ball. Coaches have taught that your lead should be | | | | youth baseball that allow stealing. Timing the |
| a body length and a step and this became the | | | | pitcher. It is directly tied to pitcher habits. Say |
| standard. Now this is a good reference point, but | | | | your coach's notice that a pitcher will come set |
| there are plenty of kids out there who have | | | | for the same amount of time on every pitch. |
| never ventured beyond this point! Do this with all | | | | Relay that information to your runner. A |
| your base runners, go with the body length and a | | | | well-coached, focused youth baseball player is |
| step, wait for a pick-off attempt, and evaluate | | | | ready to use this. Hopefully your base runner is |
| your lead. Encourage your slower players to try | | | | storing this information from the dugout. Will your |
| this in practice or scrimmages to show them they | | | | runners get thrown out sometimes? Of course |
| can steal bases too. You may have to tweak | | | | they will. Your players will not improve if they are |
| their lead length, but keep pushing them to get as | | | | not taking risks and trying to reach the next level. |
| big of a lead as their talent allows. Some pitchers | | | | This method used properly, will be successful far |
| have quick moves, while others are rather slow. | | | | more than not. It must be practiced a lot |
| Good base running teams take advantage of | | | | however. Use it at scrimmages to polish it. |
| every opportunity. Show your players how to | | | | Have a sign that allows coaches to relay timing |
| begin watching pitchers right away to find out | | | | information to runners such as tapping the brim of |
| their tendencies. | | | | the cap 2 times to signify pitcher has a two |
| Keep your players taking shuffle steps when | | | | second delay at set position. Coaches can touch |
| leading off at 1st base Your more advanced, | | | | their shoulder to alert runner to watch shoulder of |
| faster players can employ a cross over step with | | | | pitcher. Be creative and have fun with it. |
| left foot behind the right, then 2 shuffle steps. | | | | How to get back to the base. |
| The player should take their lead at the front | | | | When the runner has the stealing on their agenda, |
| edge of the bag. In other words, the runner | | | | the base runner should always be "diving" back to |
| should be as close to the pitcher as possible while | | | | the bag. If your runner can get back standing up, |
| still being even with the base. Pitchers who aren't | | | | then the lead was not big enough. The dive back |
| concerned about the base runner will soon find | | | | is a simple crossover and a headfirst slide to the |
| the base runner no longer on first base! This will | | | | bag. It important to note that when going back to |
| give the perception to the pitcher that your | | | | the bag, the runner isn't actually diving. The goal is |
| runner is closer to bag that they really are. Try it | | | | to get as low as possible as soon as possible to |
| it works! Good base running techniques also train | | | | avoid the tag. Instruct your players to stay low |
| your pitchers what to look for when they are on | | | | and not launch themselves up into the air as they |
| the mound. | | | | get back. This only gives the defense a better |
| Getting a good jump is absolutely the most | | | | target to tag them out with. As soon as the |
| important aspect of stealing a base. If a player | | | | runner gets back, they should get up right away, |
| does not get a good jump, they will be out most | | | | walking up the bag, that is, not breaking contact |
| of the time. Players who are aggressive with their | | | | with the base. Some pitchers are taught to get |
| jumps will have far more success. When you give | | | | the ball and quick pitch if your runner lies on the |
| the steal sign, too many youth base ball players | | | | ground too long. Furthermore, they should always |
| think they have to go on the next pitch. Tell your | | | | be looking for an overthrown ball. |
| players to steal only if they get a good jump. | | | | When your runner is not "diving" back to the bag, |
| Here are several options to getting a good jump | | | | their movement should be a crossover, followed |
| no matter what your player's speed or talent | | | | by a step to the left side of the bag. The runner |
| level. | | | | should continue their momentum and open the |
| For right-handed pitchers only, focus on their feet. | | | | shoulder out towards the right field foul line. |
| This is a basic technique used in stealing second | | | | Always be on the look out for an overthrown ball. |
| base. Pitchers have three options once they are in | | | | Here is an advanced base-running tip for your |
| the set position. They can pitch, pick, or step off. | | | | heads up players who really want to make |
| When the pitcher delivers to the plate, the first | | | | something happen. Oftentimes, a pitcher will make |
| part to move will be the left heel. When a pitcher | | | | a lazy lob pick to first base. When your smart, |
| is not going home with the ball, the first part to | | | | well-coached base runner realizes that the pitcher |
| move will be his right heel. A well-coached base | | | | is making this sort of pick, teach your base |
| runner is able to focus on both feet. They must | | | | runner go straight to the bag, in front of the first |
| learn to react instantly. Left foot go, right foot | | | | baseman and pop up tall to obstruct the 1st |
| back. Good pitchers will have ways to disguise | | | | baseman's vision and create an overthrow. Your |
| this. So start studying your opposing pitcher from | | | | runner should use a cross over step so they |
| the 1st pitch. | | | | have their back to the pitcher to protect their |
| Look at the front shoulder. | | | | face, and make it far easier to see an over |
| Another basic tactic to show your players is to | | | | throw. |
| watch the front shoulder. When a pitcher delivers | | | | Get your youth baseball team moving on the |
| to the plate, the front shoulder will "close" | | | | bases with these tips. This good way to |
| towards third base. If they are not going home, it | | | | jump-starts your offense and gets some |
| will open towards first. Well-coached youth | | | | excitement going for your players. You might get |
| baseball pitchers will have tricks to disguise this. | | | | thrown out once in awhile, don't let slow you |
| Possible pitcher tendencies to look for. | | | | down. If you practice, and plan your running game |
| The tendencies listed below, as well as numerous | | | | using some of these tips, your youth baseball |
| others, are things a youth base runner should look | | | | team can't help but get better. Thanks for your |
| for. Remember to tell your players that | | | | time. |
| well-coached runners does not have to wait until | | | | |