Base running for 12u

What is the best advice for teaching base-running? How do you set up good team base-running practices? Has anybody found any great DVDs, videos, books that would help me out?

My work turned off this site so I need to use my phone, I will try to answer better later but here is a good thread to get this started.

http://www.discussfastpitch.com/coaching-softball/17831-when-start-your-lead-off-2.html

Baserunning is instinct. Let the kids play the game. It starts at 1st. You're stealing on the first pitch (the batter IS NOT swinging) until you have a catcher and a SS that can get you out. Then, at 2B, on the first mistake on a pitch, whether it be a bounced pitch or a dropped ball, they are gone to third. At third, they have to take a running lead and they don't pull up until it's caught. If it gets past the catcher, it's the kid's decision if they can make it home or not. If they wait for you to say "GO!", they waited too long. This starts at 10U when most leagues allow the steal of home. Do not control your runners. Let them make the snap decision. Especially at third. Remember, let them play the game and make them make the decision. This will make them better when they are older and when the pitchers are faster and the catchers are better. All you can do as a coach at 10U and 12U is to remind the kid..if they are running into an out at home, turn around and come back. More times than not, the catcher will throw the ball into the dirt or into LF. LEt the kids play and make them make those snap decisions.

Base running requires practice just like everything else. Problem is that most kids, especially younger ones, get tired long before they get better. I like to do my base running drills using only 50-60% of the baseline. Set up cones as a starting point about 40' from first base. Then have the girls run through bad and round the bag from there. After all you are mostly concerned with running through the bag, and proper rounding of the bag right? So, limit your practice closer to those areas. Plus, you get a lot more reps in before they get tired.

I have also started doing a lot of my base running practice at the beginning of practice. This way I can kill two birds with one stone while getting a skill and cardio warm up at the same time. Especially good during daylight savings when daylight during the week is at a premium.

We practice from about 30' for running through 1st and breaking down, rounding and getting back, and rounding and going 2.

For leading off and stealing on the pitch, just line them up down 1st base line, you can have the whole team working at once.

To help develop the "instinct" for breaking on bobbled or dropped or bad pitches, we play the "watch and take advantage" drill: runner on 1st, coaches pitching and catching. Pitcher throws and catcher either catches, drops, or lets the ball get by. Base runner takes a lead on the pitch and then decides for herself to get back or to take advantage of a mistake and go.

I think that teaching proper base running is one of the quickest ways to add runs to your game. Here's what I've done at the 12U level:

(1) Make two lines on the right side of home plate facing 1st base. I place an "extra" first base about 20 feet to the right of the actual first base. Since the competition gets the girls "jacked up", I start both girls at the same time. One set of girls will run all of the bases from first to home as fast as they can rounding the bases properly. The other set of girls will run to the "extra" first base as if they are running out an infield ground ball. They will run full speed thru the bag and then stop within five steps and check for an overthrow to see if they should advance. I have coaches strewn about the infield to ensure the girls are running as fast as they can and are properly running the bases. I have each girl do each line twice.

(2) I put 2 "extra" bases about ten feet behind 1st, 2nd and 3rd. I then make a line at each of the three first bases. A coach usually simulates the pitcher. Three girls go at the same time getting a lead. They are supposed to explode off the base as if they were stealing and get the quickest lead they can timing themselves to the pitcher. Then they actually steal the base but I don't make them slide. Then the original three girls start from 2nd base and lead off and steal from them while the next set of girls does the same from first base. This is very efficient since when the bases are full you have nine girls at the same time practicing their lead offs and steals.

I know that I am not the best at explanations so if you have any questions, please let me know.

teamM said:

What is the best advice for teaching base-running? How do you set up good team base-running practices? Has anybody found any great DVDs, videos, books that would help me out?

Click to expand...

In addition to the advice already given, here are some things I practice:

Base hit to the outfield:Running to first, you're rounding into a shuffle (if it's hit to rf then back is to third base line) - if bobble then go.

Less-than-two-out fly balls (assuming ball hit to regular depth, catchable ball): At 1b you're always off the base as much as possible (without the fielder being able to throw you out if she catches it - at 1b, this also goes for infield balls). At 3b you're always tagging up. At 2b you're tagging if to rf, off as much as possible anywhere else.

Lead offs at third in foul territory.

On third, Less-than-two-out Infield hits - runner is running unless hit to third baseman or pitcher (this depends on the defense so it's situational, i.e., if 3b is back for some reason they're also gone - or if the defense is in, not super likely without a force, they'll tend to hold up).

I practice this will all my girls, but in game situations I will hold up some of my slower girls.

Also, with some of my faster girls I will teach them that, when on base if I give a steal and bunt sign to be thinking two bases (that is, thinking to pick me up - I won't be yelling and tipping off everyone).

Another thing I teach (but have a rule book handy), is when running through first turn left then come back - don't turn right, and certainly don't veer right.

This is a great thread! Lots of ideas!

Tagging up is one of the things that just confuses the heck out of young players along with understanding force situations. What I will do for teaching tagging up is set up 4 bases about 20-25' apart. I put a runner on each base. I will stand in the middle of the bases and throw a ball up in the air. Before throwing the ball I give them the outs and what base they are on. They get their lead off or tag up depending on what base they are on and the outs. Then I will either catch the ball, drop it or let it hit ground untouched. The runners have to make their decision based upon what happens to the ball.

It's great because you can set up two or three sets of bases at the same time with a coach in each set. The kids get plenty of reps and you're not over-taxing them physically so they can concentrate and learn. We will rotate coaches among the groups changing up things. It's great to see when all four of them are doing the correct thing at the same time without the hesitation of thinking it out first or watching the girl in front of her.

One more common mistake to practice avoiding: returning to the base after a lead off, casually walking with eyes off the ball.