Running the Bases

More important than the positions that your defense has on the bases and in the fields is the ability to run bases properly.  If you are unable to slide into the win, then it will be difficult to win any other way.  When you are thinking about the fundamentals of base running and how to coach some of the techniques, you can keep some basic ideas in mind. 

The first thing you will want to teach those that are running bases is that they will need to stay alert while they are running.  It is better to be safe than sorry when they are going from one position to another.  This will first mean that there will need to be training on how to keep an eye on where the ball is.  There will also need to be signals that are given to the base runners while they are on the field by other players.  This will help to keep the entire player's safe when they are moving from base to base. 

When you are coaching bases, you will not only want to teach the players how to move from base to base, and how to communicate with the other players about the position, but you will also want to practice techniques for moving forward faster.  One of the things to teach is how to steal bases.  The best way to do this is to show players how to observe the best time to do this.  If no one is paying attention to your position on the field and you know that the ball is far enough away, you can easily move into second or third base without getting caught. 

For those players that are risking a run, you will also want to coach abilities to slide.  For beginning, make sure that your players don't try to dive into a base, especially head first.  Instead, you will want to show them techniques for picking up their feet at the right pace and leaning into a slide by using their leg power.  Over time, they will be able to make a smooth transition into a slide. 

If you are coaching the running part of baseball, you want to make sure that everyone is clear about the movements from base to base.  The main key to having good base runners is making sure that all of the players are aggressive in moving to the next base and know when to look for opportunities to get to the next destination.  By doing this, you will have the ability to continue completing to home plate.