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Pickoff Move to First

Learn a quick, legal step-off move to keep the runner close.

By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026

Set up

Come set in the stretch and look at the runner.

Core: Medium. Keep your usual number of throws and compare only your own accuracy.

Ages
14 and up
Time
12 min
Players
Just you
Space
Yard or field
Bring
Glove, baseballs, first baseman, base
Level · skill
Advanced · Arm Strength

The steps

How it works

  1. Come set in the stretch and look at the runner.
  2. Step directly toward first and throw chest-high to the first baseman.
  3. Mix in a hold and a step-off so the runner cannot read you.
  4. Make 10 throws; they count toward your daily throws.

Coaching point

Step to the bag, quick and firm.

Safety: Warm up first, count your throws and stop if your shoulder or elbow hurts. Follow your league throw limits. Learn your league balk rules with a coach.

Make it fun

Play it, don't drill it

Game version

Target-throw game: throw at a target from a set distance and let the pair keep one total. Keep to your usual number of throws.

Challenge

Pick a distance: Less (short), Core (medium), More (a step back). Keep your usual number of throws and compare only your own accuracy.

Story

You are a catcher throwing to second base, one accurate throw at a time.

My best

Beat your own count

Keep your usual number of throws and compare only your own accuracy. Only your own number counts: today against last time.

Practice makes progress

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