Lead (sortie du but)
Also known as: lead primaire, lead, lead en marchant
Le lead (sortie du but) est la distance qu’un coureur prend depuis le coussin avant le lancer — maximiser la distance du lead réduit la distance jusqu’au but suivant tout en gérant le risque de se faire surprendre (pickoff).
Le lead primaire se prend une fois que le lanceur est en position fixe et avant le lancer. Les leads primaires standard sont de 3 à 4 pas chassés ou environ 9 à 12 pieds (2,7-3,7 m) du coussin. Le lead est un compromis entre s’éloigner le plus possible et pouvoir revenir en sécurité sur un tir de pickoff. Les coureurs dotés d’une excellente vivacité du premier pas ou de bonnes lectures du lanceur peuvent prendre des leads plus longs. Au premier but, l’angle du lead compte : prendre le lead en territoire des fausses balles donne un meilleur angle de course vers le deuxième. La qualité du lead primaire prépare tout ce qui suit.
Start with a conservative 8-9 foot primary lead and focus on reading the pitcher's first movement before expanding. This means developing a reliable return mechanism before extending the lead is more valuable than maximum distance from a position you cannot safely hold.
Chart the specific pickoff move time of each pitcher in your scouting data and calibrate your maximum safe lead distance before the game starts rather than testing it reactively during at-bats. This means a pre-calculated maximum lead allows you to take the ideal distance confidently rather than incrementally guessing.
Example
Il a étiré petit à petit son lead primaire jusqu’à 12 pieds (3,7 m) du premier, lisant le haut lever de jambe du gaucher comme un feu vert pour une tentative de vol.
How it shows up on video
On video, lead quality is evaluated by measuring the distance from the lead foot to the bag and the body's weight distribution at the end of the lead shuffle. Common errors include a weight-backward lean at the end of the lead (putting the runner in a return posture rather than a neutral posture that can go either way), a lead that drifts toward second base during the lead shuffle rather than remaining parallel to the baseline (telegraphing steal intent to the pitcher), and feet that are too close together at the end of the lead (reducing the crossover step explosiveness available for the secondary lead or steal break).
Common mistakes
- Leaning toward second base at the end of the primary lead. This telegraphs steal intent to the pitcher and first baseman and invites an immediate pickoff attempt
- Taking the same primary lead distance against all pitchers regardless of pickoff tendency or arm strength. This means a pitcher with a quick move and fast pickoff arm requires a more conservative lead than a pitcher with a slow move and high leg kick
- Crossing the feet during the lead shuffle rather than using a push-and-drag shuffle that keeps the feet parallel — crossed feet sharply reduce return-to-bag speed
- Establishing the primary lead in fair territory directly toward second base rather than in foul territory. This gives up the directional return advantage that foul-territory leads provide on difficult pickoff throws
In SwingVantage Motion Lab
SwingVantage measures lead distance, lead angle relative to the baseline, and body weight distribution at the end of the primary lead. This provides a comprehensive lead profile that can be compared against contextual benchmarks for different pitcher types. The system identifies leads that are either too conservative for the pitcher's pickoff tendency or too aggressive relative to the runner's measured return quickness.
Related terms
- Lead secondaireLe lead secondaire est le mouvement qu’un coureur effectue au moment où le lancer traverse le marbre — un pas en marchant ou un pas chassé qui ajoute de l’élan vers le but suivant à l’instant du contact.
- Départ en vol (jump)Le jump (départ) sur une tentative de vol est la rapidité et la décision avec lesquelles un coureur s’élance vers le but suivant au premier mouvement du lanceur — le plus grand prédicteur du succès d’un vol de but.
- Lecture de course sur les butsUne lecture de course sur les buts est la décision en une fraction de seconde qu’un coureur prend selon ce que fait la balle après le contact — avancer, rester ou reculer.
Related guides & benchmarks
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