One of the most dominant skills in softball is SPEED. Aggressive, powerful base runners can transform into heroes. A split second of a step can change the entire outcome of a game. Speed wins games.

The gift to be dominating on the bases is arguably one of the most desirable talents a player can possess. In fact one of the most common skills that are learned is to become faster. The million dollar question is “How do we make a player faster?”

Some players have pure genetics on their side. They are born fast. The other 95% of the world’s population must learn how to run faster. With that being said the good news is that you can learn to run faster. There are a few major components to becoming a faster softball player. These skills are a combination of; correct running mechanics, aggressive leg drive, first step quickness, stride length and speed of stride, and power development.

If this sounds like a foreign language to you don’t worry, your job is not to be a speed coach but my job is, so let me explain it in a way that anyone can understand.

Players need to be very aware of their running form. Here’s some easy DO’s and DON’Ts of running;

DO;

-Be aware of stride length. Players should feel like they are reaching forward with every stride, driving hard through the stride and pulling through.

-Drive forward with your body. That means LEAN forward. Imagine a sprinter breaking through the tape at the finish line, that’s what I mean by leaning forward.

-Have an aggressive, quick first step. Your first step in your run should be hard and deliberate.

-Your arm swing should drive forward and back, not side to side. Keep your arms close to the side of your body

DON’T

-Pop up. Do not stand upright when you run.

-Take a lazy first few steps. Remember games are won or lost on a matter of a step or two. Each step should be fast.

-Run like your walking on hot coals. This basically means your knee drive is straight up and down, forcing you to stand up, rather than driving forward.

Now that you have some simple rule’s on running, let’s work on one the most desired skills in softball; your speed from home to first.

A player’s time from home to first is a significant tool in your speed development. It is also vital to a softball player’s game. It plays such an important role in your game that every college coach will want to know what your time is. Your job is to develop your speed out of the box by integrating the running tools provided you within this article. Remember your key points; drive hard through your first stride out of the box, lean forward into your run, stride long and fast and do not pop up.

Here are some time guidelines for desirable times to first base; 3.0 is average, 2.9-2.8 is great, 2.7 and below is awesome.

Your goal is to be awesome.