Tip for leads off first base

When it comes to base running, where a runner takes his lead is just as important as how far off the bag he goes.  The base path is the three foot area between each base and different runners stand in different places on that path.  When runners take leads off first or second base, some stay forward on the infield side of the path and some are one the back or outside side of the base path.  Which one is better?  For this post, I’ll concentrate on the leads at first base and give my thoughts as to what that answer is.  

A lead off first base should put the runner in a position to do three important things.  

1. Get back to the bag quickly to avoid getting picked off by the pitcher or catcher.
2. Put the runner in a good position to either steal second base or just reach it quickly on a batted ball.
3. Enable the runner to round second base and go to at least third base quickly and efficiently.

Keeping those three goals in mind, the best place for a runner to take a lead off first base is on the line extending from the back of the first base bag to the back of the second base bag.

Let’s go back to the three goals and see why.

Diving back to first.

Running line to second.

Running 1st to 3rd

As players get older and move up in levels, these little things become more important and, if done, can allow runners to keep up with the faster paced game.  As many coaches know, the best runners are not always the fastest ones.  They are the runners that take the best leads and the best angles around the bases and do all the other little things that good base runners do.