In baseball, some of the most valuable players are those that are fast runners. Obviously, running quickly between bases is a talent that can mean the difference between winning and losing the game.

If you are agile and fleet-footed, you have a natural advantage that will give you an edge over other players. That said, even slower runners can be excellent at running bases. That’s because there is more to running bases than mere speed. Making the right decision about when and when not to run between bases is a simple but critical step in the game. It is important to know what smart baserunning is. Listening to your coach and being aware of the situation is crucial.

Slower base runners should only run when there is a safe and clear opportunity to do so. Faster runners can rely more on their speed, but even they should ideally wait until there is a good window to run. Again, making the wrong decision can cost you the game, so you need to be aware of your own physical capabilities, have a good sense of the game and know when to take a risk, and when to play it safe!

There are a few golden rules to follow to ensure you will run the bases well. Firstly always stay aware of what signals your coach is sending you. He will notify you if a bunt or a steal is underway, so be sure that everyone knows the signal and that the lines of communication are clear and solid before you even think about leaving the base.

On your own initiative, you need to know exactly where the ball is. This is your and your responsibility only, so locate the baseball’s whereabouts. You never know, the opposition may be trying to set up a decoy play. Lastly, look around you to check where the defense is. Having a good sense of where everyone is will help you anticipate moves. Taking good angles around bases includes touching the side corner with the outside right foot.

An excellent base running drill you might like to try is this one. Position runners at the home plate. In turn, have runners run around first base at a wide angle then turn and slide back into the bag. The runner then rises to his feet and swiftly bolts off to steal second base again sliding into the base. The runner then steals third base duplicating the slide, finally getting up and heading for home. The objective of this drill is to teach runners how to get to their feet quickly and improve agility. It will also improve reaction skills and teaches players best sliding techniques.