The purpose of delayed steal is to develop the base runners ability to master the timing required to undertake a delayed steal.
The equipment would include the basic items, baseballs, batting helmets and catchers in gear. The setup involves having a complete infield with a couple of catchers in gear. The coach or any other pitcher can pitch. As for the rest of the team, they will be positioned with helmets on to run the bases. No hitter required.
The Execution of this drill involves having three lines at first base with the 1st runner at the first line and the other two lines spaced out behind.
The runners are required to take their normal lead off first base. When the pitcher begins the delivery the runner will take their normal secondary lead. The main task is to make the entire game look like a normal secondary lead. Often players alert the opposing team by using a strategy of being much more aggressive on the secondary lead. This specific drill is a timing play that the player calls on based on watching the opposing team. So it is important that they don’t alert the player in the opposing team that they are running by being more aggressive than normal.
After the pitch crosses home plate, the player has the option to take 1 more shuffle step and then they can take off for second base. So the focus is on timing the player has to give the catcher and to the other players a split second to start doing the routine thing, before taking off.
A good reinforcement for the players is having the three lines of player go at once and for the coach that the timing is correct. They should be able to finish their secondary lead at the same time and go at the same time.
When the players run to second, the coach should have them stay there and when the entire team is there, he should have them perform the same drill from second base.
