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Pick-offs and slide step
Pitchers
MediumAbout 10 minPitchers, 1B
Holding runners. A quick slide step gets the ball home faster, and pick-off moves keep leads short.
Set up
Pitcher, catcher with a stopwatch, a runner at first.
You need: Stopwatch, base
Steps
- Five slide steps to the plate, timed from first movement to catch
- Five pick-off moves to first
- Five mixed, where the runner reads and goes
Coaching points
- Aim for 1.3 seconds or quicker to the plate
- Vary how long you hold the set
- Same look to the runner every time
Common mistake. Slide step so rushed that the ball sails high.
Adjust it
EasierSlide step only, no runner.
HarderAdd pick-offs to second with the shortstop.
