Share a simple plan
Before the pitch, the hitter, runner and base coach should know the sign and the likely next decision. A sign is useful only if everyone understands it.
Learn first
Learn the skill
Read these ideas, then try the situations below. Practice with a coach when a movement is new.
Quiz Mode: try each answer before checking the explanation.
Coach View: use the answers and teaching notes to guide practice.
Coach safely from the box
A base coach starts inside the coach's box and leaves only as the governing rule permits for a play at that base. A player serving as base coach wears a protective helmet. Give a voice or hand signal; do not push, hold or touch a runner to help them advance or return, because physical assistance can put the runner out.
Coach one decision at a time
A base coach watches the ball and fielders, then gives an early, clear stop or go call. A runner also watches the ball and must not wait until a throw is already arriving to decide.
See example: A clear base-coach decision
Match contact to the situation
With a runner at third, talk through a ground ball, a caught fly and a ball through the infield. The number of outs changes whether the runner can advance safely.
Finish the live play
On a possible uncaught third strike, check the outs and first-base occupancy. Do not leave the field or assume the ball is dead until the play is over.
Practice it here
Rehearse a runner's lead, the hitter's sign and the base coach's early call as one sequence. On an uncaught third strike, check outs and first base before acting.
Situation 01
Make the sign clear
The batter and runner both look for the coach's signal before play resumes. A player who missed it uses the agreed reset request.
- 1 Home to first
- 2 First to second
- 3 Second to third
- 4 Third to home
Coach answer: Asking for the sign again through the team's routine Ask for a sign again through the team's routine rather than guessing and sending teammates different messages.
Coaching Points
Rehearse the reset request as part of the signs, not as a failure.
Common Mistakes
A missed sign can create a safety and coordination problem.
Alternative Considerations
Keep early-season sign sets small; add complexity only when understood.
Coaching tip
Situation 02
Coordinate a live lead
Intermediate allows a runner to lead before the pitch. The base coach helps the runner choose a manageable lead and stay aware of a legal throw over.
Coach answer: Balance and a controlled return while reading the pitcher A live Intermediate lead is legal, but the runner must be balanced and ready to return on a legal throw.
Coaching Points
Start with a smaller, repeatable lead and rehearse return footwork.
Common Mistakes
Field size alone does not determine a safe lead for every player.
Alternative Considerations
The coach can reduce the lead for a new runner without mislabeling it as a national prohibition.
Related rule or safety source: Leaving a base Balk
Situation 03
Give a runner one decision
A third-base coach sees the ball, relay and runner approaching. The coach uses the team's agreed stop or send signal clearly and early.
Coach answer: A visible, timely decision the runner can follow An early, visible stop or go call gives the runner time to act before a throw reaches the base.
Coaching Points
Practice communication with a jogging runner before adding a live relay.
Common Mistakes
Conflicting voice and hand signals make the decision harder.
Alternative Considerations
Aggressiveness depends on score, outs and player readiness; it is not a universal send rule.
Coaching tip
Situation 04
Name the contact-play plan
Before a situational rep, the coach tells the runner whether to read the ball first or act on a specific contact cue. Everyone repeats the instruction.
Coach answer: Name the cue, the safe fallback and who communicates it A contact play needs one cue, a safe fallback and a person who gives the call. The runner can then react consistently.
Coaching Points
Walk the scenario and then ask what changes on a line drive or a missed sign.
Common Mistakes
A slogan is not a complete base-running decision.
Alternative Considerations
Do not run a high-risk team play until the simpler read is reliable.
Coaching tip
Situation 05
Run the uncaught-third situation
First base is empty with one out. Strike three is not caught. The batter must recognize that the play may continue.
Coach answer: Recognize eligibility to try for first and follow the play With first empty or two outs, an uncaught third strike can let the batter try for first; it is not an automatic award.
Coaching Points
Teach the outs and first-base check before a live catching drill.
Common Mistakes
Eligible to attempt first is not the same as being awarded first.
Alternative Considerations
With first occupied and fewer than two outs, the answer changes.
Related rule or safety source: Third Strike
Situation 06
Follow the practice instruction
At a coached station, the hitter may practice a committed bunt or a normal swing. The coach does not use a fake bunt followed by a full swing in this station; the actual game rule must be checked separately.
Coach answer: Follow the station instruction and ask which rule applies before a game Follow the coached station instruction. Before a game, ask which written batting rule applies to this division.
Coaching Points
Explain the station choice plainly before the first rep.
Common Mistakes
A practice boundary is not proof of a universal game penalty.
Alternative Considerations
The actual league may adopt restrictions; the adult checks those before play.
Related rule or safety source: Eligibility
Finish line
You reached the end of Lesson 5 of 8: Team Offense & Base Coaching
Go on to lesson 6, or return to the 50/70 Dugout. Review any part from the Sections menu.
Connect learning and practice
Practice this skill
Explain a count decision or a coach-selected team situation.
Read the complete setup, equipment and stop instructions before activity. A missed question never prescribes extra throwing.