What should a runner look for while leading off and preparing to steal?

In the windup position, the first movement by the pitcher with his non-pivot foot commits him to pitch. The only pickoff move he can attempt from the windup is to step off with the pivot foot first, then make the pickoff throw. In the stretch, a right handed pitcher must pick his pivot foot heel up to make a pickoff throw. In the set position, stare at the right handed pitcher's pivot foot heel, the first movement you see from there determines if you can go or not. If the heel stays down with the first movement you see, he's going to the plate, if it lifts up, he's coming at you.

For lefties, try this: first lead, get out further than your normal lead, but with no intention of advancing, this is called a "one-way" lead. You know you are only going one-way here, back to the bag, he can't pick you off with that thinking. After his unsuccessful attempt at picking you off, dust yourself off and take a much shorter lead, he will assume he has scared you into staying close to the bag, the first movement you see TAKE OFF. You have successfully set the pitcher up using his own cockiness in his pickoff move against him. We have used these methods many times in High School... it works!