BASEBALL DRILL – The Turn at Second

SKILL LEVEL: All Levels

DRILL TYPE:  Baserunning

PURPOSE: This drill is designed to teach the player to make a turn at 2^nd and pick up the 3^rd base coach.

EQUIPMENT:  None

PLAYERS:  Any number of players

TIME: 10 minutes

SETUP PROCEDURE:

1. Set your players behind a cone just to the right of 1^st base.
2. One player at a time takes a turn starting at 1^st base.
3. On command, the player will run from 1^st to 3^rd making a turn at second.  Coach starts timer on go command.
4. Player runs hard toward 2^nd, making a turn and finishing at 3^rd.
5. Coach stops timer when player reaches 3^rd base.
6. Repeat until all players have a turn.
7. Record timing results as you go.

KEY COACHING POINTS:

• Coach aggressive base running.
• Ensure the players do not slow down when making the turn at second.
• Coach them to pick up the 3^rd base coach just before making the turn at second to get in the habit of knowing whether to go or stay at 2^nd.  This is especially needed if the ball is hit behind the runner and he cannot see where the ball is.
• Ensure the players run hard all the way to 3^rd base breaking down with chop steps just before the base and coming to a stop on top of the base.  They cannot carry too much momentum to the base which could make them run through and off the base.  The chop step breakdown will still allow for full speed running but will slow the player just enough to stop on top of the base.