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Towel-Resisted Starts

Drive against light resistance, then sprint free to train your first three steps.

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

Set up

Your partner holds a towel around your waist from behind.

Core: As written. Aim for smooth form and compare only with your own last time.

Ages
14 and up
Time
10 min
Players
You and a partner
Space
Yard or field
Bring
Towel, partner
Level · skill
Advanced · Base Running

The steps

How it works

  1. Your partner holds a towel around your waist from behind.
  2. Drive forward for 5 steps against light pull.
  3. Your partner lets go; sprint 10 more yards.
  4. Do 6 reps with full rest.

Coaching point

Low and long.

Safety: Warm up first and rest fully between runs. Stop if a muscle feels tight. On hot days drink water and rest in the shade, and stop if you feel dizzy or get a headache. If you hear thunder, go inside. The partner pulls lightly and lets go smoothly.

Make it fun

Play it, don't drill it

Game version

Base-path follow-the-leader: one person leads a movement between the bases and the group copies. Swap the leader each time.

Challenge

Pick a level: Less (slower or smaller), Core (as written), More (one extra twist). Aim for smooth form and compare only with your own last time.

Story

You are a base runner exploring the diamond.

My best

Beat your own count

Aim for smooth form and compare only with your own last time. Only your own number counts: today against last time.

Practice makes progress

Print it now, or save it free

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