Pickoff Moves for Pitchers

Summary: Off rubber baseball pitches, more commonly known as pickoff moves, are those pitches made when the pitcher steps off the rubber to throw out a base runner at first, second, or third base. A pickoff move is only legal if the pitcher steps off the rubber before trying to throw a base runner out. Additionally, it is an illegal move if the pitcher's forward momentum is toward home plate when he attempts a pickoff move. If the pitcher is on the rubber or if his forward momentum is toward home, or both, the move is illegal and is referred to as a "balk".

This may all be old "news" to you as a new pitcher, and you may be wondering, "I know what a pickoff move is, but how do I do it?" Well you have come to the right place to learn how to pickoff a base runner at first, second, or even third base. Our expert pitching coach and former professional pitcher can show you, in these free online videos, pickoff moves that will teach you how to pickoff a base runner.

In this free video series on pitching techniques, learn off rubber baseball pitches and pickoff moves from expert pitching coach and former professional baseball player Mike Lumley. Mike will teach you how to hold runners on base to weaken their legs and make them susceptible to a pickoff move, when to pickoff a base runner, footwork for a first base pickoff move, and how to pickoff a runner at first base. He will also demonstrate pickoff moves to second and third base. He will teach you a spin move and an inside pickoff move to throw out a runner at second base. Learn also three different pickoff moves to third base, one which flirts with balk but is still legal and will fake out the runner on third.