By: Ron Bing, Puritas League, Cleveland, Ohio
The cross over step is one of the most important skills all players need to know, whether they are in Have the players form a circle around you and on your instruction of "Go", have them cross over and Key Points to Observe:
Date: April 16, 1998 at 18:06
the field or on base. It is just as important for an outfielder going after a shot in the gap, as it is for a
shortstop going after a ball hit up the middle. At the younger age groups players can get away with
stolen bases because of poor pitcher mechanics and usually weak catcher arms, but once the pitcher
and catcher are on the same page, proper running mechanics are critical. A bang bang play at
second will be an out or a stolen base depending on many things, but don't use a proper cross over
step and you can forget about it. The cross over should be taught at all ages, because even though
some leagues don't allow leading off, they still need it in the field, or on the delayed steal attempt.
freeze. You can then check each player quickly to see whether they have properly performed the
step, and make corrections where they are needed. Repeat this several times in each direction, then
place a player at each base and home. Have the player at home lead off, then at your command
have him break for first using the cross over step to initiate his move. Have the runner at first do the
same thing after the initial runner finishes, then the runner on second, and then third. After the first
four runners have moved up one base, repeat the drill with each player until he has circled the bases.
1. The player's must have his weight concentrated mainly on the balls of each foot, and be in a well
balanced stance, with no body part touching any other body part (nearly the same position a fielder
is in when in the ready position).
2. Though the runner is planning on breaking for the next base, he cannot give this fact away by
leaning or turning in that direction prior to actually breaking. Two reasons for this: the pit
cher would
see it and could throw behind the runner; and because the runner was leaning too much toward the
right, he would not be in a good position to quickly get back to the bag if the pitcher did throw over
there.
3. The first move in a proper cross over step is actually several movements at the same time. As the
runner begins to cross over with his left leg, his right foot is turning in the direction he is going toward,
and the runner's left arm is thrust forward to help propel him in the direction is going. The runner
should not stand up while making this move, he should stay low. If the runner has his heels on the
ground it will make rotating the right foot more difficult.
4. If the runner were to freeze after making this first step correctly, his left foot would be in front of
his right; both feet pointed toward the base he is running to; left arm pumping forward and the right
arm pulling back; he is facing the base he is running toward; he should still be low and not standing
straight up; his first step should have not been so long or too short as to leave him out of balance;
and his body should be relaxed.
5. This last part is very important. Often times a runner will tighten up as he is running, and you will
see clinched teeth, tight fist, and his shoulders lifted up and his head pulled down into his shoulders.
All of these restrict to some degree the muscles ability to move freely. A smooth runner is a relaxed
runner. As he runs he needs to keep his head from moving up and down or side-to-side; and as he
pumps his arms, he wants them to go forward and backward, not side-to-side. All of the runner's
movements must be toward the base he is running to, anything that goes to either side is
counterproductive. Make sure that as the player leads off he is in a straight line toward the next
base. Many runners lead off by taking several steps toward the outfield, and these steps do not
bring him closer to the ne
xt base.