In 8U coach pitch, young players often run from base to base without considering taking extra bases. This is often from playing t-ball where base runners can only advance one base at a time. Here are a couple of drills designed to encourage more aggressive and intelligent base running. These drills help players think beyond the next base and develop baseball IQ.
Key Base Running Drills & Tips
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Home-First-Second Drill: Position players at home, first, and second base. When the ball is hit, clap your hands. The player at home sprints to first, the player at first sprints to third, and the player at second sprints home. This drill encourages players to run two bases, teaching them to be aggressive.
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Reading the Coach: Emphasize the importance of watching the third base coach for signals. Coaches should use clear cues to indicate whether to continue running, stop, or slide. This helps players react to real-time instructions and make quick decisions.
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Outfield Awareness Drill: Set up players at first base and instruct them to run based on where the ball is hit. If the ball takes the outfielder away from third base, the runner goes for third. This drill teaches players to read the outfield and make smart decisions based on the play’s development.
Encourage players to run with their eyes up, read the game, and understand situations. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes; it’s part of learning. Create game-like scenarios in practice to simulate pressure and decision-making.
For more tips on improving your baseball skills, visit BaseballSkillsHub.com.