Base runners who understand spacing and angles beat runners who are confused about where to go. This drill turns that into a game so kids remember it.
Equipment needed: Four cones, two bases (or bags), a stopwatch or timer on your phone.
Setup: Set up a diamond at 45 feet per side using cones at home and first base. Mark “halfway” between home and first with a cone at the 22-foot line. You stand at first base.
How to run it:
- Line the kids up at home plate in pairs.
- The first pair races to first base: one runs the baseline (the chalk line), one runs a wider angle around it.
- Call out who wins each rep. The runner on the baseline will almost always win. Now they see it.
- Next rep: they switch which runner takes which path.
- Do 4 rounds so each kid runs the baseline twice and the angle twice. They’ll feel the difference in their legs.
What to look for: The straight line beats the curve. Some kids will still try to run the wide angle because they think base running means “running to the side.” It doesn’t.
If they’re struggling: Move the start line closer to first. The race is shorter so they finish before they get tired.
If they’ve got it: Add a second leg. After they touch first, they round and head for second. Now they have to think about the angle into the next base, not just the line to the first one.