What are some of your pointers on getting a slow base runner to building some speed?
Building a better base runner
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ArkFastpitch
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- Sep 20, 2013
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Teach them to be explosive out of the hole. The first 6-10 steps are the most important. Make sure they come out of the hole with a good forward lean and head down. When I was still coaching, I would have my girls get into a sprinters stance and explode from the bag just to get a feel for how hard they should be driving off the bag. Next I would look at overall running thechnique. Obviously you want them on the balls of their feet with the knees hips and shoulders as close to being inline as possible. The upper body should be calm and relaxed with the hands open alternating between the ears and pockets. Lastly remind them to BREATHE!!! You would be surprised at how many kids hold their breath when they run.
- Aug 8, 2010
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Teach aggressiveness. Also teach them to keep their shoulders square to 2B or 3B on their leads until they read the end result of the pitch. A lot of runners will take their leads the normal distance and turn and square up to home plate. They come to a stop too quick and have to take off again on a pitch in the dirt, etc. I teach younger runners (10U and faster 12U) to do a rolling lead (stay square to 2nd and don't come to a stop) and read the pitch. If it hits the dirt, or they can tell it will hit the dirt, keep rolling and take 2B. If the young catcher can field that pitch in the dirt and still throw them out, more power to her. Of course as the catchers get older you have to be more careful but a proper rolling lead can easily beat a snap throw to first if they break to 2B on the snap.
ArkFastpitch
Dont' I know you?
- Sep 20, 2013
- 351
- 18
I am always surprised how many runners do not watch the ball. Always watch the ball, if the defense makes a mistake do not hesitate go. Do not wait for the coach to say anything.
I sure would be nice if this thread would take off like and aggressive base-runner!!! We ran into a team who put new meaning to aggressive base-running. My players decided they were going to be lazy, so when we ran into this team, they made us pay DEARLY with their short game and aggressive base-running.
DS runs indoor track in the winter. He always did distance, because he is good at it, but a couple years ago he started doing sprint events, too. He knows that he's not going to win, but at least with practice he will get faster than he was.
Teach then fundamentals of running... See too many girls run flat footed, with no arm movement, and hands fisted.... They never were taught the right techniques for sprinting. Ive seen very few girls who have the right technique and are slow... For those diet would be a more appropriate method to gain speed
- Aug 1, 2014
- 24
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The jump or start, just like baseball reading the pitcher and a good jump turned my slower girls this year into base stealers. I'll teach to go from first right before the ball disappears behind the pitcher this is early but few umps can se the release and runner at the same time and few girls can actually leave the base before it leaves the pitchers hand. If that doesn't work let a big dog chase the whole team they'll learn not to be the slowest (kidding)
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