Secondary lead

Looking for advice on how to stand on the bag and timing your secondary lead. Baseball guy that's trying to learn fastpitch.

Front foot on bag, using it like a starting block. Eyes on pitcher’s feet. When her stride foot heel comes off the ground to start moving forward, you start moving your back foot to run. The timing should be very close for your foot to leave the bag at the same time as the ball leaving her hand. Maybe not exact and might need a little adjustment, but very close.


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Here's some great information from Austin Wasserman. As usual, there's a lot of science here but also a great breakdown of the best methods for softball base stealing.

Softball Base Stealing

And technically it's not a secondary lead ... just called taking a lead in softball - at least in my neck of the woods if you say secondary lead it's a dead giveaway of a baseball guy coming over from the dark side


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This is one area where I just can't totally get on board with the "softball way," (either version) mostly because it completely ignores how much of a disadvantage runners are on any line drives caught in the infield (or in trying to get back on a pick-off attempt from a catcher) since their back is to the base. I also think there's a tendency to stop momentum toward the next base (they get a better jump off, but then stop because they're not really going to go) that doesn't exist with a baseball start.

But it's certainly quicker if you're straight stealing. Unfortunately, that's usually where these discussions begin and end. People just want to know which way is going to get a runner, sprinting full speed, from one base to the next the fastest. That is, of course, just a small part of base running, and I've yet to be convinced that it's actually better when all factors are considered (and it's abundantly clear that 99% of people are not considering all factors).

I know what your saying but most runners will get in a more 'traditional' stance where they can go backwards or forward if they are not stealing, after the sprinter start.

Need to look at some college footage but true for our Team.

I am not sure if it is necessary to teach a player that is not going anywhere the sprinter start, shuffle off the base is fine.

Mocoso said:

And technically it's not a secondary lead ... just called taking a lead in softball - at least in my neck of the woods if you say secondary lead it's a dead giveaway of a baseball guy coming over from the dark side


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I'm afraid they already know. LOL

Younger ages I have put spray paint on the dirt in practice, you need to get here. Learned you get ided for buying spray paint.

quincy said:

Younger ages I have put spray paint on the dirt in practice, you need to get here. Learned you get ided for buying spray paint.

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in our 10U, 3B coach simply scuffs a line and says the same thing - you need to be here.

MightyMO said:

Here's some great information from Austin Wasserman. As usual, there's a lot of science here but also a great breakdown of the best methods for softball base stealing.

Softball Base Stealing

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I picked this up about a month ago. Pretty good research, Austin does. Love his throwing workouts.