Know when you may leave
Before every pitch, know this division's lead and steal rule. A rule for another division can change the entire play.
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.
Read the ball first
On a ground ball, look at its direction and the coach's signal. On a fly, see whether it is caught. If it is caught, retouch your original base before advancing. If it drops, read the live ball and the coach before moving.
See example: Running through first
See example: Waiting on a fly-ball read
Move with control
Take a secondary move only when it is legal and manageable. Round a base while looking at the next play, then return promptly when the defense has the ball.
Practice a rundown
When caught between bases, keep your eyes on the ball, choose a base and run decisively. Do not turn away from a throw you cannot see.
Practice it here
Stay attached until the delivered pitch reaches the batter, then take a controlled secondary move. On a caught fly, touch the original base before advancing.
Situation 01
Stay within this runner rule
You are on first in AAA with the pitcher on the plate holding the ball and the catcher ready.
- 1 Home to first
- 2 First to second
- 3 Second to third
- 4 Third to home
Coach answer: No pre-pitch lead; wait until the pitch reaches the batter AAA does not permit a pre-pitch lead. Wait until the delivered pitch reaches the batter.
Coaching Points
Repeat the national timing and the applicable local conditions separately.
Common Mistakes
Rule 7.13 still requires waiting until the delivered pitch reaches the batter.
Alternative Considerations
The umpire handles an actual early-departure play under the rule; a quiz does not replace that decision.
Related rule or safety source: Leaving a base
Situation 02
Read a permitted advance
In AAA, you read the ball after the pitch reaches the batter and listen to the coach's agreed cue.
Coach answer: Read the ball after legal departure timing, then choose advance or return Watch the ball and the legal timing before committing. Guessing at a pitcher's first motion can send you into a tag.
Coaching Points
Legal timing and a sound read are both needed; permission is not an instruction to run every time.
Common Mistakes
Do not convert an unrestricted-lead drill into a Minor first-move cue.
Alternative Considerations
Practice at a jog with clear stop and return signals.
Related rule or safety source: Leaving a base
Situation 03
Check the next movement
An AAA runner waits until the pitch reaches the batter, then takes a controlled secondary lead.
Coach answer: Keep balance for a legal advance or return Stay balanced enough to advance when the ball gets away or return when the defense has a play.
Coaching Points
A secondary lead is not permission to leave early on the next pitch.
Common Mistakes
Similar words can describe different play conditions.
Alternative Considerations
Have the runner name the original play before discussing an overthrow.
Related rule or safety source: Leaving a base
Situation 04
Read an actual catch
An AAA infield fly is declared and then caught. The call puts the batter out, but it does not kill the ball or cancel the retouch duties that come with a catch.
Coach answer: The catch still creates retouch responsibilities If a fly is caught, retouch your original base before advancing. The infield-fly call does not cancel a real catch.
Coaching Points
Watch the catch and use the base coach's agreed signal.
Common Mistakes
A caught ball still requires retouch before an AAA runner advances.
Alternative Considerations
Walk through the dropped version separately instead of treating it as the caught version.
Related rule or safety source: Infield fly
Situation 05
Read the coach on a batted ball
On a batted-ball base-running rehearsal, find the coach early, touch the base and stay aware of the ball.
Coach answer: A clear stop or continue signal and a controlled turn A controlled turn keeps the next base in view while giving you time to follow the coach's stop or continue call.
Coaching Points
Start at a jog and add speed only after the signal is understood.
Common Mistakes
A fast turn without a read may create a bad decision.
Alternative Considerations
The coach adjusts the drill to field conditions and player readiness.
Coaching tip
Situation 06
Return under control
After a legally timed movement, you need to return to your base. Little League Rule 7.08(a)(4) makes a head-first slide while advancing an out, and the ball stays live. A head-first return to a base is permitted. SLVLL does not require a slide on every play. Practice a controlled return without contact.
Coach answer: A controlled return with safe spacing Return with your eyes on the ball and room to slide or stop safely. Do not drift farther while the defense controls it.
Coaching Points
Little League makes an advancing head-first slide an out with a live ball; returning head-first is permitted but never compulsory.
Common Mistakes
There is no universal must-slide rule.
Alternative Considerations
Begin without a live tag and follow the adult's conservative technique.
Related rule or safety source: Safety Safety Leaving a base
Finish line
You reached the end of Lesson 6 of 8: Base Running & Base Stealing
Go on to lesson 7, or return to the AAA Dugout. Review any part from the Sections menu.
Connect learning and practice
Practice this skill
Run through first or discuss a caught-fly retouch, using the actual runner rules.
Read the complete setup, equipment and stop instructions before activity. A missed question never prescribes extra throwing.