Kids stop at first base. That’s the mistake. The cue is Eyes, Drive, Touch, Brake. Run through, not to. This habit saves a tenth of a second.

What you need: Three bases or cones set up. Open space. 10 kids or rotation groups.

Setup: Kids line up at home plate. First base at 60 feet (regulation).

How to run it:

  1. Cue: Eyes, Drive, Touch, Brake.
  2. Kid sprints from home toward first. Eyes stay on the bag.
  3. They Drive their legs all the way through the base.
  4. They Touch the base with their foot.
  5. After the touch, they Brake (slow down) in a straight line past the bag.
  6. Do 5 reps. Walk back to home. No timing, just form.

What to watch: Do they slow down as they approach the base? Or run full speed through? Full speed through is the goal.

If they’re struggling: Shorten the distance to 40 feet. Have them walk through first first, then jog, then sprint.

If they’ve got it: Add a coach at first base who yells “GO” as they’re running. Build the habit of not looking at the coach.