The Best Examples of Base Running Drills for Youth Baseball Players

Game-Like Examples of Base Running Drills for Youth Baseball Players

Let’s start with what you really came for: clear, game-ready examples of base running drills for youth baseball players that you can run with almost any age group.

1. Home-to-First “Burst and Breakthrough” Drill

This is the first example of a base running drill I use with every new team, from 7-year-olds up through middle school.

Set your players at home plate with bats in hand. One at a time, they:

• Take a realistic swing (no ball needed at first).
• Drop the bat safely in a designated box or chalked rectangle.
• Sprint through first base, focusing on running through the bag and not slowing down early.

Key coaching points:

• First 3–5 steps are hard and explosive.
• Run in a straight line, no drifting into foul territory.
• Eyes up and past the bag, not down at the base.

To make this more game-like, add a coach at first base calling out either “Stay!” or “Turn!” after contact. When they hear “Turn,” players run through the bag and then break down into a controlled stop, turning into foul territory to look for an overthrow. This is one of the best examples of a base running drill that teaches both speed and decision-making in a single rep.

2. Banana Route Rounds: Turning First the Right Way

Young players love to cut the corner at first base, which actually slows them down. This drill gives them a visual and a feel for a proper “banana” route.

Lay down cones or throw a few gloves in a gentle arc starting a few feet before first base and extending a few feet past it in fair territory. Players start at home, simulate a hit into the outfield, and run a rounded path through the cones.

Coaching cues:

• Start straight out of the box, then gradually angle toward the inside corner of the base.
• Hit the front inside corner of the bag with the right foot.
• Lean slightly into the turn, like a sprinter on a curve.

Run this drill from both sides of the plate if you have righties and lefties. Over time, this becomes one of the most important examples of base running drills for youth baseball players because it directly turns singles into doubles.

3. First-to-Third Read Drill

Here’s a real example of a game situation that kids mess up all the time: runner on first, ball hit to the outfield, and the runner has no idea whether to stop at second or push to third.

Set it up like this:

• Runner starts at first base.
• Coach or player hits or tosses balls into different spots in the outfield (left, center, right).
• The runner’s job is to read the ball and decide: aggressive turn and hold at second, or go hard to third.

You can start by pre-calling the decision ("You’re going to third no matter what") just to teach the path. Later, let them decide on their own, and use that as a teaching moment.

Points to emphasize:

• Touch the inside corner of second base with the right foot.
• Peek at the third base coach mid-way between first and second.
• Run hard until you’re stopped, not the other way around.

This drill is one of the best examples of base running drills for youth baseball players because it blends conditioning with real baseball IQ.

4. Leadoff and Steal Timing Drill

As players get into kid pitch and beyond, they need to learn how to take a lead and time a steal. This example of a base running drill is simple but powerful.

Setup:

• Pitcher (or coach) on the mound.
• Catcher behind the plate.
• Runner at first base.

The runner:

• Takes a standard lead (start small with younger kids).
• Tries to time their first step with the pitcher’s first movement home.
• Sprints to second on the steal signal.

Rotate players through pitcher, catcher, and runner so everyone understands the full picture. To keep things safe and age-appropriate, adjust the size of the lead and whether or not you allow full-speed tags.

Why this matters: Studies of youth sports participation from organizations like the Aspen Institute’s Project Play (https://www.aspenprojectplay.org) show kids stay more engaged when drills feel like real game action. This drill delivers that game feel while teaching mechanics and timing.

5. “Freeze on Line Drive” Reaction Drill

Base running isn’t just about speed; it’s about not running into outs. One of the most painful mistakes: getting doubled off on a line drive.

For this drill:

• Put a runner on first and/or second.
• Coach stands at home and hits or throws line drives and soft liners to infielders.
• On contact, runners practice freezing, then either returning or advancing based on what happens.

You don’t need full-speed throws at first. Start by exaggerating the freeze: yell “Freeze!” on contact and have players show you a wide, athletic base with knees bent and weight ready to move either way.

This is a great example of a base running drill that builds instincts. Over time, you can mix in ground balls and fly balls so players learn different reactions.

6. Relay Race Base Paths

Kids love competition. Use that energy.

Split your team into two or three groups. Each group lines up at home plate. On your signal, the first runner in each line runs all the way around the bases and tags the next runner’s hand at home.

Variations include:

• Everyone runs home-to-home.
• Everyone runs first-to-third only.
• Everyone runs second-to-home.

This is one of the simplest examples of base running drills for youth baseball players, but it’s incredibly effective for teaching:

• How to hit every base without missing one.
• Running full speed for more than 90 feet.
• Staying in the base path and not drifting.

You can mix in teaching points between races, but keep it fun and fast-paced.

7. Situational “Live Reads” Scrimmage

Once your players know the basics, you want drills that look almost exactly like a real game. This is where a situational scrimmage becomes one of the best examples of base running drills you can run.

How it works:

• Put runners at different bases (e.g., first and third, bases loaded, runner on second only).
• Coach tosses or lightly hits the ball into play.
• Everyone plays it out live: defense fields, runners react, coaches give signals.

After each play, pause briefly to talk through decisions:

• Should the runner at third have tagged or gone halfway?
• Did the runner at first get a good secondary lead?
• Was the trail runner watching the lead runner and the coach?

This kind of drill lines up well with current youth coaching recommendations from groups like USA Baseball (https://www.usabaseball.com), which encourage “small-sided games” and decision-based reps rather than long, isolated conditioning.

8. “Beat the Ball” Home-to-Second Challenge

This drill is part sprint training, part fun challenge.

Setup:

• Runner at home plate.
• Fielder at second base.
• Coach with a ball at home or on the mound.

On your signal, the runner sprints from home to second, touching first on the way. A coach or another player throws the ball to second at a pre-set time (for younger kids, throw it later; for older kids, earlier). The runner’s job is to beat the ball.

You can:

• Time the runner with a stopwatch and track improvement.
• Adjust how early you throw the ball to keep it competitive.

This is a great real example of how to sneak conditioning into practice while keeping kids locked in and motivated.

How to Organize These Examples of Base Running Drills for Youth Baseball Players

Having a bunch of drills is great. Knowing how to use them in a 60–90 minute practice is even better.

Here’s a simple way to plug these examples of base running drills for youth baseball players into your weekly routine:

Early Season (Teaching Phase)

• Focus on mechanics: home-to-first burst, banana routes, leadoffs.
• Use slower-paced explanation and lots of demonstration.
• Keep distances shorter for younger players.

Mid-Season (Game IQ Phase)

• Add in situational drills: first-to-third reads, freeze on line drive, live reads scrimmage.
• Start tracking small stats in practice (e.g., how many clean home-to-first sprints, how many correct reads).

Late Season (Competition Phase)

• Emphasize speed and decision-making under pressure: relay races, beat-the-ball challenges, timed steals.
• Mix drills into scrimmages instead of long, isolated sessions.

If you’re working with younger age groups, remember the CDC’s guidance on youth physical activity: kids need regular movement, but also appropriate rest and variety to avoid overuse injuries (see https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/children/index.htm). Rotate drills and keep total high-intensity running within reason.

Coaching Tips to Get More from These Drill Examples

Even the best examples of base running drills for youth baseball players won’t work if kids are checked out or confused. A few small coaching habits make a big difference:

Keep Instructions Short
Explain the drill in 20–30 seconds, then start. Add teaching points between reps instead of giving a long speech up front.

Use Visual Cues
Cones, chalk lines, or extra bases help kids see the path you want. Especially on banana routes and first-to-third drills, visual markers are your best friend.

Praise Effort and Smart Decisions
Don’t only praise the fastest kid. Call out the player who made the right read on a fly ball or who froze perfectly on a line drive. This builds baseball IQ, not just speed.

Mix in Education on Hydration and Recovery
Base running is high-intensity work. Briefly remind players to drink water and listen to their bodies. Resources like Mayo Clinic’s youth sports hydration tips (https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/tween-and-teen-health/in-depth/sports-nutrition/art-20048871) can guide parents and older players.

Age-Appropriate Adjustments for These Drill Examples

The same examples of base running drills for youth baseball players don’t look identical at 8U and 14U. Adjusting difficulty keeps everyone challenged but not overwhelmed.

For 7–9 Year Olds

• Shorten distances where possible (start some drills halfway between bases).
• Focus heavily on running straight, touching the base, and stopping safely.
• Use more races and games, fewer technical terms.

For 10–12 Year Olds

• Introduce leadoffs, secondary leads, and basic steal timing.
• Add more situational reads (tagging up, line-drive freezes).
• Expect better focus, but keep reps short and active.

For 13–14 Year Olds

• Run full-distance, game-speed drills.
• Add more advanced reads (infield in vs. back, two-out reads, late-inning situations).
• Hold players accountable for mental mistakes, but always explain the “why.”

Frequently Asked Questions About Base Running Drills

What are some good examples of base running drills for youth baseball players at the beginner level?

For beginners, start with home-to-first burst drills, banana route turns around first, and simple relay races around the bases. These examples of drills teach basic speed, direction, and how to touch each base without overloading kids with strategy.

Can you give an example of a drill that teaches kids when to tag up?

A simple tag-up drill is a great example of a base running drill with a clear purpose. Put a runner on third, have a coach hit or toss fly balls to the outfield, and teach the runner to go back to the bag, watch the catch, then explode home on your signal. Gradually remove the signal and let them decide when to go.

How often should I run these base running drill examples in practice?

For most youth teams, 10–20 minutes of focused base running work in each practice is plenty. Rotate through different examples of base running drills for youth baseball players across the week so kids see variety without feeling like they’re just running laps.

Are these examples of drills safe for all ages?

Yes, with adjustments. For younger players, shorten distances, reduce the number of all-out sprints, and avoid high-speed collisions by limiting live tags. For older players, you can add more live action but still follow general youth safety guidance, like that shared by the National Institutes of Health on overuse and youth sports (https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/sports-injuries).

Do I need special equipment for these base running drill examples?

No. Most of these examples of base running drills for youth baseball players only require a field, bases, a few balls, and maybe some cones or extra gloves for visual markers. The real value comes from clear coaching and consistent reps, not fancy gear.

If you build your practices around these real examples of base running drills for youth baseball players, you’ll see cleaner paths, smarter decisions, and a lot fewer outs on the bases. Even better, your players will start to view base running as a chance to be aggressive and creative—not just a punishment for missing the cutoff man.