Running Tips - Turning A Single Into A Double

During an interview, Lou Brock, a prolific base-stealer for the St. Louis Cardinals, once told a reporter that he studied hours of films daily of pitchers as they pitched from their stretch position, explaining he was searching for any small indicator the pitcher did on a consistent basis which signaled he was either throwing to the plate or throwing to first base in a pick off attempt.

The reporter asked why in the world he'd study hundreds of pitchers when he could study 20 - 25 catchers instead. Smiling, Brock replied that he knew the catchers in the major leagues did not get there by having a weak throwing arm, practicing throwing runners out attempting to steal a 1000 times in their career.

However, pitchers on the other hand, concentrated on learning how to throw and control specific pitches, a high priority over practicing pick off moves. Who would you rather try to steal off of? ---Running Tips

Obviously a master thief like Brock, Ricky Henderson and the other greats, could write a book on the subject of base-stealing. Their skills are the comparison between an astronaut and a piper cub pilot. We’ll settle for learning to fly jets.

Stealing is a science all onto itself. We'll give you the in- depth tips, drills and instruction on how to become a Terror to opposing pitchers once you're on base.

Initial Lead - First Base:

Number one rule:

1.Stand on the base until you’re ready to go into your lead. Never wander off the base, even a foot or two!! There’s no reason to put yourself in harm’s way unnecessarily, standing on the base is just as comfortable and a whole lot safer.

Always face the pitcher. This may sound obvious and silly, but I’ve seen players turned toward second base like a sprinter, with their left shoulder facing the picture. I can only assume they’ve mistakenly been taught this will allow them to get to second base quicker, not having to turn the body.

This is Not softball. You are expected to get a leadoff ?

While facing the pitcher you slide step, right foot moving out, followed by the left foot, until you reach your Initial Lead Off point. Never cross one foot over another as you take your lead off. I’ll say it again … never cross your feet. Should you be in the act of crossing your left foot over the right, when the pitcher suddenly twirls and throws to first, you’re incapable of getting back to first base. --- Running Tips

You would be forced to actually complete the step over, with your left foot, which moves you farther away from the base, reposition your feet, reverse your direction, pivot on your foot and push back towards first base.

If you don't get your feet tangled and fall, the additional time required in reversing your direction, a split second is all that's needed, will most likely mean you're OUT.

After properly reaching your lead-off distance, watch the pitcher intently and increase the length, by slide stepping, by a couple of additional feet. Stop there as you focus on the pitcher.

1. It could determine if the pitcher will attempt a pick-off throw.

2. It could provoke a pick-off throw, which will allow you to see the quality of his pick-off move. ( Don’t get lulled into a false sense of security by a ¾ motion pick-off move. Be convinced you saw his best attempt.)--Running Tips

3. It could mean he doesn’t think your lead is that large.

When you determine the pitcher, through the indications of his pitching motions, is throwing to the plate, you immediately take your secondary lead. A Secondary Lead is acquired by quickly using slide steps to increase your lead an additional 3 or 4 feet.

The amount of distance you go in your secondary lead is dependent on such things such as the catcher’s arm strength, if there’s other runners on base and how many outs.

A good secondary lead could enable you may beat the throw to second should there be an infield grounder, be able to break up a double play, advance to third on a hit to the outfield, go to second on a bobbled ball by the catcher. As you see, a good secondary lead can completely change the complexion of a game.

While you’re in the action of taking your lead you follow the baseball, because your focus will change from the pitcher to the catcher. --- Running Tips

Take too large of a lead or lazily walk back to first base and a wily, strong armed catcher will throw you out before you can get back to the base.

The St. Louis Cardinals have a catcher named Yadier Molina who is notorious for throwing behind the runner picking them off first base. Therefore, when you see the catcher catch the ball, don’t hesitate to return to first base quickly as there’s no reason to stand in la la land. You’re not going anywhere so get back to the safety of the base. -- Running Tips

How far do I lead off ? The rule of thumb is 1 step and a dive. To explain.

To get back to first base you will:

1. Pivot on your left foot which will turn your hips and body towards first base.

2. You will bring your right foot over your left as if turning to run.

3. You will push off your right foot as soon as it is firmly planted and dive head first back to the base.

***Caveat*** Always reach for the rear of the outfield side of the base when diving back, preferably with your left hand, right if not, as this takes away a quick tag of the right shoulder, because it’s tucked in under and trailing the left shoulder, and it’s the furthest distance away from a swipe tag by the first baseman.

If you find you got back to first base in plenty of time to avoid the tag, and the pitcher’s pick off move was genuine and not just a lazy “I see you” type move, increase your lead-off accordingly.

You have established how large of a lead-off you can take and still return to first base safely, now we need to learn the tactics of actually stealing second base.--- Running Tips

You’ve probably heard Sports Commentators remark “He stole that base off the Pitcher.” What do they mean? Simply that means the runner, got such a good jump off the pitcher, by the time the catcher received the ball it was impossible for him to throw the runner out.

Catchers, especially in older more skilled levels, for the most part have very strong and accurate throwing arms. To attempt to steal second base by out running a catcher’s throw is pure folly, as it’s physically impossible to run faster than a thrown ball. --- Running Tips

So how do you steal a base? You shorten the distance you have to travel to the base … while the distance the catcher must throw remains the same, and there‘s only one way to accomplish that, by getting a good lead off and an excellent jump off the pitcher as he delivers the ball.

In order to get a good jump off the pitcher you must know when to begin your move to second base, as committing too early will most likely result in your being tagged out, either diving back to the base or caught in a run down.

You must know the instant the pitcher is legally committed to continue his movement to the plate, the split second in which, if he hesitates or throws over to first base, it’s a balk and you’re awarded second base uncontested.--- Running Tips

One such method is to watch the pitcher’s lead foot. (We’ll only be examining right handed pitchers, as a lefty is a whole other ball game.)

When the pitcher comes set in his stretch windup, he must come to a brief Complete Stop before continuing to pitch. At this point your focus should be entirely on the pitcher’s lead foot; his left foot pointing away from you.

****This is the Key indicator you will use to determine when and if you break for second base.****

I’ve had players tell me they become so intensely focused on the foot that everything else going on around them seems to be happening in slow motion. That may be taking things to the extreme. --- Running Tips

Once the foot rises the pitcher is committed to continue towards home plate. To stop or alter his delivery after the front foot rises constitutes a balk, and a balk is as good as a stolen base because you end up safely on second base and in scoring position. Should the Front Foot begin to Turn Toward You or Goes Backwards, the pitcher is throwing to first base.

The pitcher must turn his hips towards first base in order to throw with velocity, which means his left foot will turn towards the base, or the pitcher will step Backwards while turning his hips and foot.

There’s actually only two things you must remember. Foot goes UP …You take off to second base. Foot begins to Turn Towards you or Backwards …. You dive back to first base immediately.--- Running Tips

It may sound quite simplistic and I guess technically it is, but the speed in which a pitcher with a good pick off move can deliver the ball to the first baseman suddenly makes the simple, quite a bit more complicated.

Focus too much to the point you become semi-mesmerized and you won’t be able to react in time to get back to the base safely. You must remain focused, yet alert through out your entire initial lead and into your secondary lead. --- Running Tips

The Front Foot method is one of several examples of indicators we’ll examine in order to enhance our base stealing abilities.

Front Foot Drill:

Have a player or coach act as the pitcher while another player becomes the base runner. The drill is intended to teach runners the split second reaction time to the pitcher’s commitment home, but can also be used to practice initial and secondary lead offs.

You as the coach should stand behind the base runner to verify if he chooses correctly as to when to go forward to second or return to 1st base and that the pitcher is not committing a balk.

Have the pitcher try to surprise the runners by either going home or showing a pick off move. Have them mix it up and even step off the rubber to simulate actual playing conditions.

How To Run Wild On the Basepaths:

Running Tips back to Stolen Bases

Delayed Steal

Tips, Drills, Exercises and Strategies To Master The Basepaths:

Speed Ladder

Speed and Agility Drills

Increase Running Speed

Improve Running Speed

Becoming A Better Base Runner

Speed Training

Speed Workout

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