It's tough, but possible.......
If it's done smoothly, without gaining ground toward home, it's all right.
Carl Childress researched this thoroughly, and got an authoritative opinion from PBUC on this very subject.
The reason you won't see this move very often is that it's extremely difficult to do it legally with any degree of speed. It is usually effective only if the base-runner has been told to break on lift-off, rather than on first movement toward the plate.
As far as the rule citation, this move conforms with all the legal requirements of the pitching rule as long as no "ground is gained" toward home with the leg during the step. Since this move is exactly the opposite of the Left-hander's hang and step to first, it's allowed by rule.
Senior
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