A runner who touches the outside of the base wastes steps. The right path is a curve through the inside front corner of each bag. This is the most basic base-running detail and the one that teams skip.
What you need: A diamond setup with bases or cones at home, first, second, and third.
Setup: Standard diamond. 60-foot bases (or your league distance).
How to run it:
- Walk through the path slowly with the kid. Show them: touch the inside corner of first as you round, second as you round, third as you round.
- Have them walk the path 3 times. Touching every corner.
- Now jog the path. 2 reps.
- Last 2 reps: full speed home to home. They should touch each inside corner.
- After the last rep, ask them: “Did you touch every corner?” Most kids will say yes when they didn’t. Watch the next time.
What to watch: The angle they take into each base. Are they swinging wide? A wide turn adds steps. The path should curve through the inside corner like a race car taking the inside line.
If they’re struggling: Walk through the path again. Use chalk to mark the path on the dirt.
If they’ve got it: Add a stopwatch. Time their full lap and aim for a faster time each round.