: Skills & Drills: Offense

Base Running
This is a great skill development area that can be practiced at the end of each warm-up session. Have players ‘run through’ first base. Lead off and steal second before the next base runner, etc… Just like throwing, the baserunner should assume a ‘ready’ position before the next pitch. This includes:

1. Square the body to the batter with the foot on the edge of the bag (for tight bases) or the feet spread shoulder width (loose bases) to begin the ‘push’ with the front foot ready to begin the next sprint.
   
2. Think: What will I do if the ball is hit to… (second, third, left field, etc…)
   
3. Look to the coach. The coach will be giving signals to the batter and the runner instructing them about the next play. This could include a bunt, hit and run, sacrifice fly, etc…
   
4. Watch the ball. Each runner should begin their ‘push’ to the next base as soon as the ball is release, whether contact is made with the ball or not, but should immediately halt their progress when they do not hear contact with the ball.
   
5. Run a flat arc. The player should be taught to round the bag, not make hard left cuts at each bag.

The Skills:
There are 4 basic base running skills that you will want to teach your players. They are:

1. The sprint to first base.
2. How to lead-off the base.
3. How and when to slide.
4. How and when to tag-up.