In running bases espically...

Question
In running bases espically rounding 1st base what foot do you hit the bag with and what portion of the bag are you really trying to hit? corners or the middle of the bag  

Answer
The key to rounding a base is to make our turn as clean as possible without slowing down.  We want to get as straight down the baseline as you can.  If you make too wide a turn you end up in the outfield and it only takes time off.  Afterall, the shortest distance between any two points is a straight line.

When rounding the bag the key is to hit the inside corner of the bag.  This will prevent you from slipping on the bag and also gives you a place to push off from (only for bags that are anchored down).  

As far as the left or right foot each coach has a different philosophy.  I used to teach left foot.  My theory was that if you missed the bag, you could always drag your right foot and it would go across the bag, thereby preventing you from having to stop and go back to the bag.  Lately, I have changed my thought process.  Now I teach that it doesn't really matter which foot.  As long as you are going full speed ahead.  

When you teach a particular foot, often kids will slow down and stutter step in order to arrange their feet correctly.  This defeats the purpose as it causes them to slow down.

To summarize, hit the inside corner of the bag with whichever foot happens to be in stride as you reach the bag.  Keep as straight up the line as possible and be sure to run like the wind.

Hope that helps.

Coach Stauffer
Macomb Baseball