Baserunning Drill: Home to First
By · CommentsBaserunning 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:
- Players form a line just behind home plate and toward the third base line.
- Player 1 sets up in the batter’s box based on which side of the plate they hit from.
- On the coaches go command the player will simulate a swing and run hard down the first base line, running through first base.
- 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.
- Once through the based the player should break down directly on the foul line by chopping their steps until they slow down.
- Once slowed down, they will turn to their right and walk back to the base.
- 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.
Running to and Through First Base
By · CommentsRunning to and Through First Base
Getting started with a baserunning series starts at teaching you players how to break from home plate quickly once contact has been made with the baseball. It’s important that all players run hard from home to first every time regardless of where the ball is hit.
A well-coached team stands out when their players run out ground balls, fly outs and pop-ups at full speed.
Teach your players that slow hit ground balls and high chops can turn into a base hit when players run full speed through first base. Additionally, this will put a lot of pressure on the defense to cleanly field the ball and rush their throw adding to the possibility of a force error and giving the runner an infield hit.
Keep in mind that when players run out ground balls with runners on first base they are rarely doubled up at the youth baseball level. It’s just too difficult for the defense to turn most double plays when the runners are running full speed. This will obviously vary by age group and skill level, but it’s important point to share with your players.
Fundamentals of Running
- Players should plan to run at full speed each and every time they come to the plate. One they contact the ball teach them to explode out of the batter’s box with a couple of quick small powerful steps.
- They should keep their weight leaning forward toward first base at all times.
- Teach them to pump their arms straight forward and back to the side of their body and not side to side. The side to side action will only slow them down and is not an efficient way to run.
- They should be taught to put maximum pressure to the ground as they run. The more powerful the push off the ground the fast they will go.
- Players should run on the balls of their feet.
- Players should increase their stride as they go down the line toward first base.
- As they reach first base the players should be taught to hit the front part of the base as that’s the closest distance to ensure they are safe. Don’t have your players landing in the middle of the base as this split second could be the difference in being out or safe.
- As the player reaches first base and powers through it they should be taught to look over their right shoulder to see where the ball is and determine if there was an overthrow. This will be a key point, if you want your players taking advantage of defensive errors. Today’s youth leagues have fences that are close to first base basically giving the runner very little time to take the extra base. Looking to the right as they go through first base gives them an advantage when an errant throw has occurred. Very important for players to know the location of the ball.
- Remember good baserunning starts with players being aggressive, alert, confident and observant to what is happening at all times.
In our next post we will provide you with a drill you can use to help your players work on the skills presented here.
Good luck and remember to keep teaching good quality fundamentals and focus on player development.
Importance of Good Baserunning
By · CommentsImportance of Good Baserunning
Veteran coaches know that baserunning is extremely important to the success of their team. This is clearly overlooked at the recreational league level as you will see new coaches work hard on hitting and fielding but spend little time teaching good baserunning skills. Don’t be that coach or dad.
While having a team that can hit for average and power is great but trust me that will not always be the case. If you have a team with quality pitching and good defense, you will find that great baserunning can help make up for less than terrific hitting. You team can win games with only a few key hits if your players know how to effectively run the bases.
Our baserunning series will teach new coaches how to run the bases correctly and hopefully provide more seasoned coaches with something they have not thought about.
Our baserunning series will start tomorrow and run through the next couple of weeks. Remember, if you have any questions along the way please email us and we will do our best to help you out.
Stance Summary
By · CommentsStance Summary:
As a coach I have no doubt the best way to start a young hitter off is with a square stance. It will help them become balanced quickly with limited effort and will give them the best chance to put a level swing on the baseball.
Now, you will have players that try to immolate what Major League players are doing but I would encourage you to take a firm stance (pardon the pun) on this subject and encourage them to start with the square stance. It will make it much easier to teach them a correct fundamental swing.
I do caution you against making major stance changes with players that have been playing the game a number of years and otherwise have a good fundamentally sound swing. The stance change on this type of player could harm their hitting ability and really makes no sense to do so you as the coach will need to be the judge.
Remember the stance is important but it’s not critical and variations are common. If the player has a great swing and usually hits the ball well leave their stance alone.
The Square Stance
By · CommentsThe Square Stance
A square stance, shown in the above picture means the players feet are equal distance from the plate and on a straight line to the pitcher. The toes should be pointed toward home plate or turned in very slightly. You want to make sure the toes never point outward when the player takes his stance. Make sure the knees are bent slightly to help with balance.
It’s best for the player to have his feet about shoulder width apart but that’s not a hard and fast rule. It really comes down to player preference and what will keep them balanced throughout the swing so if you see a player loosing their balance try a slightly wider stance and see if that corrects it.
We really believe the square stance will allow the player to see the pitcher’s release point with both eyes and put them in the best fundamental position when they drive toward the baseball.
Key Stance Coaching Points
By · CommentsKey Stance Coaching Points:
- As you have read above there are many different types of stances but the three most common ones are the square, open and closed stance.
- We feel the square stance is the best start for most young baseball players but regardless of what stance is used it’s important to make sure the player is comfortable and balanced when standing at the plate.
- Balance is extremely important as the player cannot put a level swing on the baseball without being well balanced at the plate. This starts by taking a square stance and being comfortable when getting into the batter’s box.
- A square stance is one where the feet are parallel to home plate with good balance and slightly bent knees. Knees should be inside the feet with the toes turned slightly in. The stride should be directly toward the pitcher.
Ok, you want to use an open or closed stance. Here are some guidelines, but remember we don’t recommend it as it can cause other swing problems. These stances are typically used by older players to make up for swing imperfections.
- The open stance is one where the front foot closest to the pitcher is out away from the plate. Toes on the front foot are not pointed to pitcher but more of a 45 degree angle. Stride should be back to parallel directly toward pitcher and should not remain open. Doing so will limit power and make it very difficult to handle an outside pitch.
- The closed stance where the back foot is out away from home plate. Toes on the front foot are not pointed to pitcher but more of a 45 degree angle. Stride should be back to parallel every time.
Batter’s Box Setup Position
By · CommentsBatter’s Box Setup Position
The average player playing against average competition should setup with their front foot closest to the pitcher placed at the point where the plate breaks back to its tip. We call this the middle of the box position.
As you get older and play against better caliber players it’s a good idea to adjust your setup location based on the type of pitcher you are facing. Here is a guideline to follow.
- Deep in the box – setup here when you are facing a tough pitcher that throws very hard and you need the extra time to catch up to the fast ball. Standing here against a breaking pitch or pitcher makes you deal with the entire break of the ball. Not a good place to be if you are facing a primary breaking pitcher.
- Up in the box – setup here when you are facing a breaking pitcher that throws softly. This will allow you to hit the ball before the majority of the break.
- Middle of the box – best place to setup for a young and average hitter.
