Take a Lead from First Base

We teach our players a defensive and offensive leadoff from first base.  The defensive lead off is used to learn about the pitcher’s move toward first base.  The offensive leadoff is designed to put the player in a good position to steal along with improving hit-and-run and bunt-and-run fundamentals.

We will cover the defensive leadoff in today’s post and the offensive one tomorrow.

Defensive Leadoff

As we said above this type of lead off is used to gain information on the move the pitcher has toward first base.  This information is not only for the baserunner but all players in the dugout should be watching closely to gain critical information that can be used later in the game.  This type of leadoff is usually done when the first player reaches first base at the beginning of a game.  The idea behind the leadoff is to take an extra long lead in order to draw a throw from the pitcher.  It’s important to remember this is not about trying to steal second base so the baserunner should establish a large lead while positioning their body in a way that their weight is leaning back toward first base.  This position should ensure the player doesn’t get picked off on a throw over to first base. 

It’s important for the entire team to be watching this move so they can determine just how large of a lead is possible on the particular pitcher. 

Some key points to watch for:

• How high does the pitcher pick his foot up during his delivery?
• Does the pitcher release the ball quickly or is there a slight delay?
• Watch how quick his move is to first base?  Can he quickly move and get the ball out of his glove?  How fast or slow is that?
• How many times does the pitcher try to throw to first base?  Does he get overly concerned about the baserunner or does he show little interest in him? 

The answers you come up with on this will determine the right size lead you can get away with on the particular pitcher.

The defensive leadoff should be used with the first few runners you have at the beginning of games to gain the information needed on the pitchers move. 

Also, remember when a pitching change is made you should attempt to gain the same information.

In our next post we will discuss the offensive lead off.

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Baserunning Drill: Rounding First and Thinking Second

In our last post we discussed the fundamentals of making the turn at first base for you or your players.  Below is a drill that will help you or your team become better at this important baserunning skill.

Drill Purpose:  Drill is designed to teach your players how to make the turn at first base while gaining a step towards taking an extra base.

Skill Level:  All Levels

Equipment:  Baseball field or throw down bases set at a distance of the bases your players play on.

Setup Procedure:

1. Players form a line just behind home plate and toward the third base line.
2. Player 1 sets up in the batter’s box based on which side of the plate they hit from.
3. You can do the drill with live fielding with a coach hitting balls to the outfields with one player covering second base or you could just have the kids simulate the swing and run on coaches command.  Either way if effective but we will discuss below how to set it up with defensive players making the plays.
4. Assign 3 or 4 players to the outfield positions depending on your league rules and age group.  Younger age groups have 4 outfielders.
5. Assign 1 player to cover second base.
6. Coach should step away from home plate down the 3^rd base line to hit baseballs to the outfielders.
7. Setup a series of cones starting about 15 feet before 1^st base to show the path the players should take when making their turn.
8. Setup another cone about 15 feet past first base, toward 2^nd which is where the players should run to prior to making the go to 2^nd or return to first decision.
9. Now that Player 1 is set up in the batter’s box, the coach will hit the baseball to an outfielder.  When the ball is hit the baserunner will start their run.
10. The runner should pick the ball up about 15 to 20 feet from home plate and react to how the defensive player plays the ball.
11. The runner should make the turn using the cones as a guide.
12. If the outfielder misplays the ball or is slow at getting the ball in the baserunner should attempt to take second base. 
13. Should the defender make a clean play on the ball the baserunner should make a hard turn to the cone that was set up and then backpedal to first base.

Key Coaching Points:

• The players should be at full speed when making their turn.
• The players should be picking the ball up and learning to make a go or no go decision in their own mind.  Especially, the older the players get.
• Make sure your players are picking the ball up and watching it through the entire drill.
• Make sure they are making a full turn and going all the way out to the cone which is about 1/3 of the way toward 2^nd base.
• Give the players an aggressive mindset when it comes to baserunning.  This will put the most amount of pressure on the defense.
• Should the player make the decision to return to first base make sure they stop at the cone and backpedal back to the base.  You don’t want them to turn their back to ball.

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Baserunning:  Fundamentals of making the turn at first

1. The player should explode out of the batter’s box just as they did when trying to beat out an infield hit.
2. As the player approaches first base they should start to move outside the baseline slightly (about 5 feet or so) and begin their turn around first about 20 feet from the base.
3. The player should make the turn and contact the inside portion of the base closest to the pitcher’s mound while pulling their left arm down hard and shifting their weight slightly to the left to help facilitate an accurate turn.
4. The player should push off the edge of the base and be at full speed as they turn around first. Without being at top speed here it’s unlikely for the player to be able to advance to second should there be a late or errant throw.
5. As the player leans to the left and contacts the base they should be looking to pick up the ball.  For a player to be thinking about going to second they must locate the baseball to ensure they know what is happening in the field.  If the defense gives them the opportunity they are in a position to take the extra base.  If not they chop step to a stop and return to first base.

Our next post will give you a drill you can use to work the baserunning fundamental of making a turn at first.

Talk to you then.

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Baserunning: Making the turn at first and getting to second

Teach your players to develop a “get to second” mindset when the ball is hit to the outfield regardless of where it’s hit. They should be thinking second base on base hits, fly outs and when the defense makes an error. You never know when an outfielder will bobble the ball or make a slow play on it giving the runner time to take the extra base. One thing is for sure if the runner isn’t thinking second base you can be assured they will not be in a position to take it should the defense make an error.

Well coached teams teach their players to think about taking an extra base and this applies not just going to second but also when players are going from first to second, thinking third and going from second to third, thinking home.

Tomorrows post will walk you through the actual fundamentals of making the turn at first and will include good coaching points for you to use with your players. 

Until then, may all your baseball dreams come true.

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Baserunning Drill:  Home to First

To continue our series on baserunning we will now add a drill you can use to work on getting out of the batter’s box and running through first base.  This drill, when done correctly will improve the skills of every level player.

Drill Purpose:  Drill is designed to teach your players how to run through first base.

Skill Level:  All Levels

Equipment:  Baseball field or throw down bases set at a distance of the bases your players play on.

Setup Procedure:

1. Players form a line just behind home plate and toward the third base line.
2. Player 1 sets up in the batter’s box based on which side of the plate they hit from.
3. On the coaches go command the player will simulate a swing and run hard down the first base line, running through first base.
4. As they run through the base the player should turn their head to the right in order to develop a habit of checking for overthrown balls. 
5. Once through the based the player should break down directly on the foul line by chopping their steps until they slow down.
6. Once slowed down, they will turn to their right and walk back to the base.
7. Then have the players jog around the drill back to the line formed behind home plate.

Key Coaching Points:

• The player should make a full simulated swing just like in a real game.  With older players you can have them use a regular bat.
• After the swing, the player should take a couple of powerful short steps out of the batter’s box.
• The more power they push off with the faster they should be able to go.
• Make sure they are running directly down the line as going to wide will only lengthen the run making them easier outs.
• The player should be able to get up to full speed with the stride getting longer as they run down the line.
• The player should always hit the front of the base as that’s the closest point to being safe.
• You must make sure your players get in the habit of looking over their right shoulder for over thrown balls as that will help them jump out toward advancing to second.
• Don’t let your players run through first base and them turn out toward the fence.  I know you see young players doing what we call the banana peel and turning way out toward the fence to avoid going toward second.  This is fine for very young players but is not correct fundamentals for older players.
• If you are 9 years of age and older you should really learn to run straight through the based directly down the foul line and chop step to a slow you down.  You should basically come to a stop straddling the foul line and looking over your right shoulder.

If you work this drill at the beginning of every practice you can use it as a good warm up to get you started. 

Good Luck

In our next post we will cover the fundamentals of making the turn at first and thinking about getting to second base.

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