How to do the drill
- 1
Stand on the back corner of the base, eyes on the pitcher.
- 2
Primary lead: step right, cross over left, and land in an athletic stance about 2½ steps off.
- 3
Hold on the balls of your feet. If a partner yells "back," get back to the base.
- 4
Secondary lead: when the front leg lifts, shuffle right, left, right so your right foot lands as the pitch arrives.
- 5
Do 10 of each. Count every lead done right: primary on balance, secondary timed with the pitch. Log your total out of 20. A partner can call "ground ball" or "miss" (back to first).
Coaching cues
- Eyes on the pitcher.
- Right foot on the pitch.
- Read it, then go.
What good looks like
A balanced primary lead, eyes on the pitcher, and shuffles that end on your right foot as the pitch arrives.
Safety
Check your league's rules first. In Little League Majors and younger, runners can't leave the base until the pitch reaches the batter, so those players practice only the shuffles and the read. Wear sneakers on grass or dirt, and get back to the base on your feet at home.
Why this drill
Good leads turn singles into first-to-third and wild pitches into free bases. It is about timing more than speed, so every player can get better at it.
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