| Upon getting to first, you will quickly want to pick-up your third base coach to see if he is giving you any signs. You will want to listen to your first base coach, and watch your third base coach, while still on the bag. Do not take your lead and then look to the third base coach, or you’ll get picked off. Upon getting the steal sign, and the pitcher on the rubber, consider the following:
- Generally you will take a 3 to 3 1/2 step lead.
- Stay low with your hands slightly in out and in front of you.
- If the pitcher quickly throws to first, you’ll want to go back to the back corner of the bag, with your face facing outward to protect your face from errant throws as well as to see if the ball were to get by the first basemen.
- Getting a good jump is critical in the success of a steal attempt.
- Once the pitcher has committed to delivering the pitch, by a movement towards home plate, take off by pivoting the right foot and crossing over with the left leg.
- The runner should throw or ’pump’ their left arm as they cross over.
- After a couple of steps quickly glance towards home to help determine if you have to stop and return home due to a linedrive, pop-up or flyball, or to not slide and round second instead.
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