BASERUNNING – When you get picked off first base, don’t stop, continue to second base.

With a left-handed pitcher on the mound, the runner on first base breaks for second as soon as he lifts his leg. The pitcher throws over to first and has him picked off. The runner never breaks stride and slides safely into second base.

Where did the defense go wrong? The answer lies in what the baserunner did right.

With a left-handed pitcher on the mound, get into the habit of breaking on first move (as soon as the pitcher lifts his leg) when stealing second base. It's a heightened risk, but it provides the best shot for you to swipe second. Waiting until the left-handed pitcher's stride leg presses towards home plate takes too long.

Obviously with risk comes failure, but you haven't necessarily failed if you break first move and the pitcher throws over to first. You're picked off, but you're not out yet.

When you break and the pitcher throws over to first, don't hesitate. Continue sprinting to second base. Do NOT get into a rundown. The only alteration is to adjust your path and run inside the baseline. This makes the throw and catch very difficult for the first baseman and shortstop. Think about it. The first baseman will step forward to receive the ball from the pitcher. The shortstop breaks to the inside of the base. By running in that throwing lane, you can cause problems with the flight of the throw and also the visibility of the throw (from the shortstop's eyes). This is an extremely tough and troublesome play for the defense to execute.

When taking your slide, target the outside of the base. Because the shortstop will be positioned to take the throw inside the base bag, sliding to the outside may help evade the tag.

Very fast runners sometimes slide into second safe purely based on speed. Any hesitation by the first baseman, a wide or high throw can provide just enough of a window to allow the runner to beat the throw. But even average runners can make it to second by never hesitating and crowding the throwing lane. Don't stop and get in a rundown. You're doing the defense a favor. Run inside the base and make them earn the out.