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
Give one clear sign to the hitter and runner. Ask the coach which lead choice applies, then practice an early stop or go call without touching the runner.
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
Agree on the runner's rule
In this practice, the coach says runners may lead before the pitch. Other Mustang leagues may make runners wait; ask which rule your team uses.
Coach answer: The applicable departure rule and a lead the runner can control Ask which Mustang departure option applies, then take only a lead you can control.
Coaching Points
Have the runner repeat the rule and the return cue before adding a live pitcher.
Common Mistakes
Familiar PONY branding does not erase Mustang's national menu of local options.
Alternative Considerations
For a more restricted Mustang option, teach its timing at the affected base rather than practicing an illegal early departure.
Related rule or safety source: Leaving a base Leaving a base
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
React to an uncaught third strike
First base is empty with one out. Strike three is not caught. In this PONY division, an uncaught third strike lets the batter try for first when first base is empty or there are two outs.
Coach answer: There is a permitted attempt to reach first, not an automatic award Check the outs, first base and the governing local instruction before deciding what follows this pitch.
Coaching Points
Make the first-base and outs check part of a short batter/catcher scenario.
Common Mistakes
Do not teach a younger-division exemption as if it applied to this division.
Alternative Considerations
Change the setup to occupied first with fewer than two outs and ask why the result changes.
Related rule or safety source: Third Strike
Situation 06
Follow the station instruction
At this academy's bunt station, the coach asks players to choose a committed bunt or a normal swing, not a fake bunt followed by a full swing. The actual game rule is checked separately.
Coach answer: Follow the station instruction and ask which game rule applies before play Follow the coached station instruction. Before a game, ask which written batting rule applies to this division.
Coaching Points
Explain the station's conservative boundary without attaching an unsupported penalty.
Common Mistakes
A coaching preference is not a national rule.
Alternative Considerations
Follow an actual adopted restriction where it applies; do not infer one from another league.
Coaching tip
Finish line
You reached the end of Lesson 5 of 8: Team Offense & Base Coaching
Go on to lesson 6, or return to the Mustang 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.