The slide step is a Catch-22 for some young pitchers. A pitcher might use it to slow a runner down, but it can also take away from sending his good stuff to the plate.

Simply holding the ball is one of the most effective tactics a pitcher can use to slow down a known base-stealer. Any base-stealer will tell you that when a pitcher holds the ball for a good five seconds, it upsets his timing. And, if the runner commits to a move, the pitcher and coaches can read what he’s going to do.

So, hold the ball, check off, step off and change up the timing with which you deliver to home plate to throw off the runner’s rhythm.

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