Equipment Needed
- Balls
- Bases
Keep practice balls on hand
A bucket of practice baseballs keeps pickoff-read reps moving through a full round at each base.
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- A runner takes a lead off first base; a pitcher works from the stretch, mixing pickoff moves and pitches to the plate.
- A coach observes and gives feedback on the runner's read.
Instructions
- The runner takes a controlled secondary lead, watching the pitcher's first move closely.
- If the pitcher's move indicates a pitch to the plate, the runner breaks toward second on the read.
- If the pitcher's move indicates a pickoff throw, the runner gets back safely.
- Repeat with the pitcher varying pickoff moves and deliveries unpredictably.
Coaching Points
- Every pitcher has a subtle "tell" in their move — the goal of this drill is training the runner to find and trust it.
- A controlled, balanced lead is what allows a quick read-and-react; an off-balance lead limits options in both directions.
- It's fine to get picked off during this drill — that's useful information for refining the read, not just a failure.
- This is an advanced, high-value skill; give it dedicated repetition rather than treating it as incidental to other baserunning work.
Variation
Add a defense and catcher for a fully live stealing situation, or have the runner call out their read before breaking to check accuracy.