deceptive pickoff play mechanics question

[john5396]

Had this happen last night. NFHS and I am U2 in A with R1.

Right handed F1 in stretch legally steps off and fakes throw to first base. F3 dives and starts "scrambling for the ball". The runner falls for the fake and moves toward second. F1 throws to F3 and they pick off the runner.

My question is how I should have handled my mechanics. I stepped and squared to first with the feint by F1. No I know they have run the fake and the ball is behind me with the pitcher. I chose to stay looking at first because that was where the play was going to happen. Did I help sell the fake by keeping looking to first? Should I have turned back to the pitcher when I realized I had followed the fake? I've always been taught to find the ball, nothing can happen without the ball, but if I had turned back to the pitcher at the wrong moment I would could have been caught with the ball on it's way to first and missed the play.