Leads and Secondary Leads at First

Foundation · Free lesson

about 40–50 minutes

Base running Lesson 2: Leads and Secondary Leads at First

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Level: Foundation (HS and up) · Time: about 40–50 minutes · Need: a base, a partner as pitcher or catcher, cones or tape to mark lead distance

Goal: Take a safe primary lead and an aggressive secondary lead from first base.
Why it matters: Every extra foot of lead is less distance to second. A good primary lead keeps you safe on pickoffs, and a strong secondary lead lets you take an extra base on hits, wild pitches and passed balls.

1. Watch first (about 14 min total)

Video	Channel	Length	Why we chose it
[How to Take a Lead at 1st Base \	2 Absolutes EVERY baseball player needs to know](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPi9ITSvmE8)	Pro Baseball Insider	6:05	Two things every player must do when leading off first, from pro instructors.
Great Baserunners Take Their Primary Leads Like THIS!	Figure It Out Baseball	4:53	How great base runners take their primary lead.
Here's How To Take Your Secondary Lead Like An ELITE Baserunner	Figure It Out Baseball	2:43	Secondary leads like an elite base runner.

2. Do this: drills, sets and reps

Drill	How	Sets × reps	Cue
A. Primary lead set	Step off with the left foot first (no crossing feet). Get to your lead distance (about one step and a dive back), athletic stance.	3 × 6 reps	“Eyes on the pitcher the whole time.”
B. Secondary shuffle reps	As the pitcher delivers, shuffle twice toward second and land on your right foot as the ball crosses the plate.	3 × 6 reps	“Two shuffles, land as the ball hits the zone.”
C. Dive-back drill	Partner throws over. Cross over and dive back to the outfield side of the bag (or step back on a slow move).	2 × 6 reps	“Low, fast, to the back corner.”
D. Read-the-catcher reps	After the secondary, read the catcher: block, ball in the dirt, or throw-behind. React.	2 × 8 reps	“Read, then go or get back.”

3. Common mistakes and fixes

Mistake	What you see	Fix
Crossing the feet	Off balance on a pickoff	Shuffle step out, no crossovers.
Too big a lead	Picked off	Mark a safe lead with tape and build from there.
Flat-footed secondary	No jump on balls in the dirt	Land on your right foot ready to go.
Eyes off the pitcher	Slow reaction to pickoffs	Watch the pitcher until the ball is delivered.

4. How to measure progress

Lead distance: Measure your safe lead (feet). Goal: add one step without getting picked off in practice.
Secondary timing: Film 5. Do you land as the ball reaches the plate? Goal: 4 of 5.
Pickoff safe rate: Safe on pickoff throws out of 10. Goal: 10 of 10.
Move on to Lesson 3 when: you hit all three goals.

5. At-home version

Primary and secondary lead footwork in a yard with a towel as first base.
Dive-back reps on grass.
Watch MLB runners at first and copy their secondary timing.

Challenge: Add one step to your lead in practice without getting picked off.

Videos