Taking your lead is very important, and knowing when and how to do it can save you from getting picked off.
You should always wait for the pitcher to step on the rubber before taking your lead off, if you do this there are certain rules he must follow in order to throw over. After the pitcher gets on the rubber, the baserunner should have his left foot on the bag and they should have their body square with home plate. The way I teach leading off is, cross over, shuffle, shuffle. This does two things, it gets you the same distance away from the bag every time you take your lead and it also gets you there without having to glance bag at the bad causing you to take your eyes off the pitcher and giving him a good opportunity to pick you off. Always keep your eyes on the pitcher, and your first step is your left foot crossing over your right foot, when your left foot comes down your right foot steps toward second base. Again you are square with home plate and all you have to do now is take two shuffles toward second base and you are officially in your lead. Now get ready for the ball in the dirt.
