Equipment Needed
- One base
- One ball
Keep practice balls on hand
A bucket of practice baseballs keeps secondary-lead reps moving through a full round at the base.
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- Runners line up at a base with a coach simulating a pitcher's delivery.
- A partner at the base can flash the pickoff move.
Instructions
- The runner takes a primary lead off the base, staying balanced and ready to dive back.
- As the coach begins the delivery motion, the runner shuffles into a secondary lead, timed to be moving (not still) at release.
- If the coach flashes a pickoff instead of delivering, the runner must get back safely.
- Rotate runners through several reps, mixing pickoffs and deliveries unpredictably.
Coaching Points
- Never be standing flat-footed at the moment of release - always be moving into the secondary lead.
- Stay low and balanced so the first step in either direction is quick.
- Know the count and situation - the secondary lead adjusts based on outs and score.
Variation
Add a batted-ball read once the timing is consistent, having the runner react to a ground ball versus a fly ball.