How to teach baserunning to kids.

Baserunning is the skill most kids learn by accident. They hit the ball and just go. A few simple habits, practiced in a backyard or an empty field, turn hustle into smart bases.

Run through first base, every time

This is the first rule, and young players miss it all the time. Many kids slow down or jump onto the bag, which costs them steps.

1. Drop the bat: let it go, don't throw it.
2. Run in your lane: stay on the outside of the line on the way to first. Check your league's rules for the running lane.
3. Hit the front of the bag: step on the near edge, not the middle.
4. Run past it: keep running a few steps, then slow down and look right toward foul territory.

What to look for: chin level, eyes on the bag, arms pumping, full speed all the way. The biggest mistake is watching the ball off the bat. That costs steps, and following the ball is the coach's job. The second biggest is slowing down at the bag. Run through it, not to it.

Set up a cone a few steps past first. The game: touch the bag and run all the way to the cone. Five runs, with a walk back in between. Use a safe, flat surface and check for holes first.

Teach one more habit here: after crossing first, peek to the right. If the ball got past the first baseman, the coach may send them to second. Running through and looking up becomes one smooth habit with practice.

Turning at first on a hit to the outfield

When the ball goes through to the outfield, a runner should turn toward second instead of running straight through.

• Banana curve: a few steps before first, swing out a little to the right, then curve in.
• Touch the inside corner: hit the inside of the bag with either foot, whichever comes naturally.
• Find the ball: take a few steps toward second and look for the ball.
• Decide: keep going if the coach waves, or come back to first.

Draw the curve with chalk or a line of cones. Have your child run it slowly first, then at game speed. Call "single!" or "through!" before each run so they practice both choices.

Look for a smooth curve, not a sharp corner. If your child runs wide into the outfield grass or has to stop and turn, start the curve a step or two earlier. Speed through the turn comes from the shape, not from running harder.

Listen to the base coaches

Young runners can't see everything behind them. That is the base coach's job. Teach your child to look and listen at the right moments.

• Running to first: listen to the first-base coach. Eyes on the bag.
• Rounding toward second and third: pick up the third-base coach.
• Simple signals: arms waving means go, hands up means stop, pointing down means slide if your league allows it.

Play Coach Says: you stand where a base coach would and give signals while your child runs. If they follow the signal, they get a point. Mix in a surprise "stop" to keep them sharp.

Sliding needs a safe surface and a coach's supervision. Don't teach headfirst slides to young kids.

Tag-ups and force outs, made simple

These two rules confuse a lot of young players. Keep them to one sentence each.

Quiz them in the car or at dinner. "Runner on first, ground ball. Do you have to run?" Short questions build fast answers on the field.

Two more rules are worth the car quiz:

• Two outs, run on contact: with two outs, run hard the second the ball is hit.
• Never pass the runner ahead of you: passing a teammate on the bases is an out.
• Stay on the base until it's time to go: check your league's rules on leaving early.

Base-running games and league rules

Games make the reps fun. Keep each one to a few minutes, with water and rest in between.

1. Beat the throw: your child runs to first while you count out loud. Can they beat their best count?
2. Single or double: call a hit; they run through first or round it and decide.
3. Freeze tag-up: toss a ball in the air. If you catch it, they tag up. If it drops, they go.
4. Around the horn: run all four bases, touching each one on the inside corner.

Here is a sample 15-minute base-running session for the backyard or an empty field:

After about two weeks, look for a kid who runs through first every time without being told. After about six weeks, look for turns and reads on their own, and fast answers on force and tag-up questions. That is a smart baserunner.

Leading off and stealing rules change a lot by league and age, and softball rules differ from baseball. Check your league's rules before you teach leads or steals.

The free Baserunning Intro Course covers these habits in seven short lessons. When your child is ready for more, Smart Baserunner ($49) is our 16-session Level 2 program on reads, turns, tag-ups and league-legal decisions.

What to do this week

Set up a cone past first base and do five run-throughs and five banana turns. Then play Coach Says and ask two tag-up questions at dinner.