Stealing Second Base off a Right Handed Pitcher

• Heel - Steal when the pitcher lifts his front heel.

• Shoulder Lean - Watch the pitcher's shoulders. Once his shoulders lean towards the plate, break for second base.

• Tempo - Most pitchers will get into a rhythm and will come set for the same amount of time before delivering a pitch. If the pitcher falls into a pattern, use it against him and time your steal jump to his tempo.

Stealing Second Base off a Left Handed Pitcher

• Power Go - Steal on first movement. Go the moment the pitcher lifts his front leg.

• Book Head - Some lefties get into the habit of always looking toward the plate when they pick and looking at the runner when they are going home. If the pitcher falls into this pattern, when the pitcher raises his leg while looking at us, we run. When the pitcher’s head is looking at the plate as he raises his leg, we anticipate a pick.

• Book Leg - Some lefties do different things when they lift their leg to pick versus when they pitch. We will pick out the differences and exploit them. For example, a lot of lefties keep their front leg open when they pick and close it when they go to the plate. Off this pitcher, once we see the lead leg start to close off, we can steal because he cannot pick without balking from that position.

Fake Break

• Take a little bit shorter primary lead than usual.

• This is a special secondary lead designed to create movement in the infield and open up holes for our hitters.

• After the pitcher commits to the plate, square to second base on your first step like you are stealing then square back up to the plate on your second step.

Delay Steal

• Get your normal primary lead.

• When the pitcher goes to the plate, take two really big shuffles towards second.

• Stay tall and loose and go foot to foot when taking your shuffles.

• Break for second base after the second shuffle and beat the middle infielder to the bag.

Stealing Third Base

• Give and Take - When the pitcher is looking toward the plate, continue to gain ground with small balanced steps. When the pitcher looks at you, hold out your left arm and take a small jab step back towards the bag and hold your position. As the pitcher turns his head back towards home, start to gain towards third base again and then break to steal when he goes to the plate.

• Work Ahead - Aggressive catchers like to throw behind runners so we will use this against them. Get a slightly extended primary lead and get a very aggressive secondary lead. When the catcher throws to second base, break for third.