Rounding First — Banana Route

Your job today

On a base hit, swing out in a little banana curve so you can round first hard and hit the inside corner. Then look at the ball — if they bobble it, you go.

What good looks like: Smooth banana route, inside corner, and the right read on every rep.

Why it matters: Rounding first the right way lets you grab an extra base when the defense slips. Smart runners score more runs.

How it works

Baserunning-read drill from the Elkhorn 7U-10U plan. Runner drops the bat, takes a curved 'banana' route (three steps out, three steps in) to hit the inside corner of first, chest to the infield, and reads the play. Coach simulates a fielding shortstop or a bobble to teach the read for advancing.

Reps / rounds

6 reps

Rest between sets

30s

Space needed

infield

Coaches

1-2

Equipment

• bases
• 5 baseballs

Setup

1. Runner at home
2. Coach positioned as shortstop with a ball

Run the drill

1. Runner takes the banana route toward first
2. Hits the inside corner of the bag
3. Reads the coach: fielded cleanly (return) or bobbled (advance)

Scoring

Track % correct reads (percent). On-track when at or above 70.

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