Best Baserunning Drills
One of the most overlooked aspects of a player’s game is baserunning. This doesn’t necessarily mean speed or base-stealing ability. Good baserunning is knowing when to take an extra base, not running into an avoidable double play, tagging up on a medium-deep flyball, and much more. There are many great drills to improve your players’ baserunning abilities. Here are a few of my favorites.
No Defense Drill
In this drill, all players will be running the bases. Nobody is playing defense and the coach is hitting self-toss. Start with runners on first and second base. Everyone else lines up behind home plate and runs one at a time as the ball is hit. One coach stands in front of the plate hitting balls and one coach is at third base.
All balls hit should be considered base hits, whether they are in the air or on the ground. The “batter” will run hard through first base on a ground ball and round first base on an outfield hit. The runner on first base will run straight to second base on an infield hit as if to break up a double play. On an outfield hit, he will round second base and look for a sign from his third base coach. The coach will tell him whether to stay at second or continue to third. Runners on third base will tag up on fly balls, advancing to home once the ball hits the ground. The coach will give them instructions on what to do on ground balls, for example, “go home on any ground ball except back to the pitcher.”
The goal for this drill is to keep things moving fast, forcing runners to make quick decisions. It’s also a great drill for conditioning.
Relay Race
This drill is great to teach runners how to find the best angle to take when rounding bases. You will split your team into two squads. One lines up at home plate, and the other lines up at second base. The first runner on each team holds a baseball. On the command GO, the two first runners begin running around the bases. Once they have rounded all of the bases, they hand the ball to the next runner in their line. The first team with all runners finished wins.
To add a little more challenge to this drill, use tennis balls and allow the runner to throw the ball to the next runner in line after they have rounded their last base. Example: Once you round third base, you can throw the ball home. Don’t throw too early, or they will miss it and waste time chasing down the ball.
Runners should focus on taking the best line around the bases and hitting the inside of the base with their right foot.
Pitch Trajectory Drill
This drill helps runners anticipate pitches in the dirt and get a better jump advancing to the next base. Have your infield play normal positions, no outfield needed. Have all of your catchers gear up and rotate every few pitches. The coach will pitch, no batters are needed. Everyone else will be runners.
As the coach pitches, runners will watch the trajectory of the pitch to see if they can anticipate the ball hitting the ground in front of the catcher (wild pitch). The coach will throw every couple of pitches in the dirt. Each runner should be reading the trajectory of the pitch and adjusting their secondary lead. If the ball looks like it will go in the dirt, take a more aggressive secondary lead. If there’s a runner on first, he should attempt to steal second base if he thinks the ball will be in the dirt. Runners on second and third should take an aggressive lead and watch to see if they can advance on a wild pitch.
This drill also gives catchers a great chance to work on blocking pitches in the dirt. Catchers will get tired quickly doing this drill, so make sure to switch them out frequently.
This drill works equally well even in youth leagues where leading off base isn’t allowed. The trajectory drill teaches the runners to get a better jump off of the base and to pay attention to the pitches in the dirt. Even though wild pitches happen frequently in youth leagues, most runners are still unprepared for them.
Shallow Fly Ball Drill
This drill is all about tagging up from third base. For this drill, you need two left fielders, two third basemen, two shortstops, and one catcher. Everyone else grabs a helmet and is a runner. Start with a runner on third base. The coach will hit shallow pop-ups and soft line drives to left field. The runner will move back to third base and decide if the ball will be caught and if it’s deep enough for him to score. The next fielders and runner should be ready to start as soon as the play is over to keep the drill moving.
Try not to critique each play after it happens as this will slow down the drill. Rather, give general observations after the entire drill has been completed by everyone.
This drill also gives outfielders and infielders a chance to practice calling for the ball and calling each other off.
Conclusion
Baserunning skills are just like any other skill in baseball. Some players have an inborn ability, but most have to work hard to improve their ability. Working on these drills with your players helps them hone their baserunning skills so that hopefully they are never caught flat-footed on the basepaths.
Contact All Fields Baseball to upgrade your baseball and softball skills.
