What should a base stealer focus on?

What does a base stealer look at when getting his lead? The most important element to being a good base stealer is being relaxed. No one can go at their fastest speed when they are tense. Therefore, whatever they look at needs to promote a relaxed feel. Usually a general focus is much better than a very specific focus for relaxation.

Runners should have a general soft focus on the front shoulder "area" of a right handed pitcher. This will allow the runner to see a broader area and move quickly when the pitcher goes to the plate.

Another very important reason to focus on the front shoulder is the 1st and 3rd move where the pitcher can fake to 3rd base. If the runner is focused on the lower half of a pitchers body, he is extremely vulnerable to the move. At the high school level, many times they have fallen victim to this play for the simple fact that the runner assumed he was going home when he lifted his leg to fake to 3rd. Having a soft focus isn't a guarantee that you won't fall for this move but it certainly helps.

Another reason why a soft focus on the shoulder is the preferred area is the pitchers posssible "balk move." Pitchers can intentionally try and deceive the base runner by using an illegal but seldom called balk move. The pitcher simply twitches his front foot up and then down and spins to 1st base. Once the front heal moves up he should be committed to go home but the little twitch can aid the pitcher in his attempted pickoff.

The best way to eliminate the "balk move" and the fake to 3rd move is to focus on the front left shoulder. Furthermore, it simply promotes a more relaxed feel.