A complete 6-week framework for teaching kids ages 6–10 to run the bases — from sprinting through first to reading the ball and sliding safely.
6 weeks to build a complete base runner. Starts with the basics at first, ends with full game situations.
Every drill is tagged with which learning styles it targets. Look for the colored chips on each drill card.
The most important base running habit. Run hard through the bag — every single time.
Place one cone at "first base" and a second cone 15 feet past it. Kids sprint from home plate and must touch the first cone at full speed and keep running to the second cone. The second cone is the target — first cone is just on the way.
Focus on which part of the foot hits the bag. Kids often step on top of the base awkwardly — the goal is to hit the front inside corner with the foot closest to the foul line, without breaking stride.
The banana path. Round the bag like you might keep going — because you might.
Draw a banana-shaped chalk curve from home plate toward first base — it bows out into foul territory about halfway and curves back to hit the inside corner of the bag. Kids run the chalk line.
The bow keeps them from making a sharp angle turn at first. Instead they approach in a curve so momentum naturally carries them toward second.
Kids run the banana path at full speed. As they round first, you give a hand signal — arms wide = go to second, hands down = hold at first. They must read and react while still moving at speed.
Know where the ball is before you decide to run. Head up. Eyes working.
Runner on first. Hit or roll the ball to different spots — outfield straight ahead, outfield to the right, to the left. Runner calls "in front!" or "behind!" and runs or holds accordingly. No sprinting yet — just the read and call.
Simulate line drives hit sharply to the infield. Runner on base must wait two seconds before running — gives time to see if the ball is caught (go back) or drops (run hard). Teaches the discipline of reading before reacting.
Tagging up on fly balls. Scoring from third. Reading the base coach.
Runner on third base. Lob a fly ball to the outfield. Runner must: (1) keep one foot on the bag, (2) watch the fielder catch the ball, (3) sprint home the instant the catch is made. Timing the tag-up run correctly is the whole skill.
Runner leads off third. Simulate a wild pitch or passed ball (coach rolls a ball past the "catcher"). Runner must read the ball getting away and break for home immediately — no hesitation.
Safe, controlled, and confident. A kid who slides without fear is a base runner who takes extra bases.
Start seated on the grass. Practice the bent-leg position — one leg straight, one leg bent and tucked under. Arms raised. This is the finish position. Get every kid comfortable in this position before adding the run.
Jog (not sprint) toward a cone or base, then execute the bent-leg slide. Once comfortable at jogging pace, move to 3/4 speed, then full sprint. Never add speed until the position is clean.
Every base running skill in real game context — coaches, reads, decisions, slides.
Batter hits a live pitch (or off a tee). They run the bases as if it's a real game — through first, banana path, read the outfield, decide second or third, slide into the base if it's close. Base coaches give signals. Rotate through the whole team.
A team that runs the bases aggressively and intelligently scores more runs without getting better pitching or hitting. You gave them a weapon that shows up every game.
How each personality type shows up on the base paths — and what actually works.
| Kid Type | Dominant Style | Lead With |
|---|---|---|
| Overthrower | 🤲 Kinesthetic | Put them at the base coach position first. |
| Freezer | 🤲 Kinesthetic | Drill without defense until going feels safe. |
| Copy-Cat | 👁 Visual | Change the scenario every rep — they read, not copy. |
| Question-Asker | 🧠 Logical | Give the probability-based reason for each decision. |
| Goofball | 👂 Auditory | Time them. Fastest banana path = bragging rights. |
| Self-Critic | 🧠 Logical | Reframe outs as data, not failure. Smart outs happen. |
The cheapest guide in the hub. Base running is mostly footwork and instinct — you don't need much.
Sliding shorts (~$15–20) are padded shorts worn under game pants. They reduce friction and provide hip/thigh padding that makes sliding more comfortable for kids who are nervous about it.
Not required, but if you have a kid who refuses to slide after repeated practice, sliding shorts often solve the problem. The padding removes the physical hesitation so the technique can take over.
Smart base runners don't need to be the fastest kids on the team. They just need to know where the ball is before everyone else does.