The following drills are part of our daily practice program to help our players improve their running game. We spend a little time (10-15 minutes) on one or more of these drills each day.
Basic Leads
Goal: Understanding basic knowledge of the lead.
Process: Keep it simple. 4-step lead at each base (right-left-right- left-turn). Add a step at 2b and 3b, depending on the defensive player, if you can. Teach-demonstrate-practice.
Time: Five minutes at each base
Going Back to 1B
Goal: Diving back into 1B on pickoff attempt
Process: Teach how you want them to go back into the bag. Partner up. One player gets a lead, their partner stands on line (use the outfield grass foul line). Runner dives back into bag (partners foot is the base) do this several times. Make corrections. Rotate partners
Time: 10 minutes
Going Back to 2B
Goal: Teach player that he can keep his lead if the SS or 2B stands on the bag.
Process: Teach lead. Have 2B hold runner at bag. Have pitcher turn for pick off to 2b. Baserunner should get back safely. Use multiple runners.
Time: 10 minutes
Going Back to 3B
Goal: Teach player that he can keep his lead if the 3B stands on the bag.
Process: Teach lead. Have 3B hold runner at bag. Have pitcher turn for pick off to 3B. Baserunner should get back safely. Use multiple runners. Teach player to keep his eyes on the pitcher until he commits to home with the pitch.
Time: 10 minutes
Dirt Ball Reads
Goal: Teach players to become aggressive by reading the ball before and after it is blocked.
Process: Need pitcher / coach & catcher in full gear. Divide players up evenly at each base. Pitcher throws random balls into the dirt (fb or cb). Base runners do not have a runner in front of them. They see the ball, and go. We teach runner at 1B to go automatically if the ball hits in front of the plate. 2B & 3B runners must start first, then read the ball & catcher Two or three runners at a time at each base.
Time: 3-5 minutes at each base then rotate.