RAD brought this up in the POP times thread: Do you teach a runner to leave early to get that extra step or two or three? Is it cheating or just trying to gain an edge?
Personally, I've taught kids what the rule says, and had them practice to that. I'll let them know if they are late on their jumps. I also explain to them that they will probably not be called out if the ball is at 7 or 8 o'clock (6 o'clock being at the hip) and may even get away with 9 o'clock when they leave. If they are habitually late, I'll try to get them to leave a hair early so they at least leave on time. In a game there is just too much going on too fast for an umpire to definitely see an out unless it is clear-cut. I don't directly tell them to leave early, but I kind of lift the curtain a little bit so they can see what's available.
Personally, I've taught kids what the rule says, and had them practice to that. I'll let them know if they are late on their jumps. I also explain to them that they will probably not be called out if the ball is at 7 or 8 o'clock (6 o'clock being at the hip) and may even get away with 9 o'clock when they leave. If they are habitually late, I'll try to get them to leave a hair early so they at least leave on time. In a game there is just too much going on too fast for an umpire to definitely see an out unless it is clear-cut. I don't directly tell them to leave early, but I kind of lift the curtain a little bit so they can see what's available.