01 Apr What Is A Crow Hop And When To Use It
Throwing with a crow hop can help you make a stronger, faster and more accurate throw to get the baserunner out. This article explains what is a crow hop and pro tips for using it.
A crow hop is a small jump in the air that helps you get momentum and gather yourself to make the strongest throw possible. You can use it for fly balls and ground balls.
Fielding a ground ball on the run
- When a ground ball is hit your way, you must first field and secure it.
- As you approach it, get your body just to the right of the baseball.
- You are going to field through the baseball with one hand. This is because your balance and body position are better with your throwing hand counterbalancing your glove hand. It will be a lot easier to get a throw off quickly when you are balanced.
- A right hander will time and field the baseball with his left foot forward and the baseball just to the left of his ankle. This will be opposite if you are left handed.
- Watch it all the way into your glove. You must field it before you can throw it. Even if you slow it down a bit to make sure you field the baseball, do it. Fielding the ball is your first priority.
Crow Hop
What is a crow hop? The crow hop is a hop that outfielders use sometimes to gain momentum to add power and distance to their throws.
When should you use a crow hop? The crow hop should be used when there a potential play on a runner at any base.
How do you do a crow hop? (video coming soon) This move is the easiest way to get a lot on your throw in the least amount of time and shortest distance. The crow hop can be done in two steps if your balance is good when fielding the baseball.
- As a right hander, once the baseball is in your glove securely, jump off of your left foot, (which should still be in front of your right foot) in the direction you are already traveling.
- While in the air turn your body to the right to coil up for the throw. You will then land on your right foot and be ready to throw the baseball.
- From this position you will be able to get your whole body into the throw.
If nobody is on base
A ground ball is hit directly at you, there is no rush to get the ball back into the infield. Our responsibility is to field the ball in a conservative way.
When there is a potential play at a base, there is a sense of urgency when fielding. This is not so when no one is on base.
As the baseball gets to you, field it like an infielder. Spread your feet a little wider than shoulder width and field the ball in front of your body. Keep your butt down and even take a knee if you need to, just so the ball doesn’t go in between your legs.
Do what you need to do to smother the baseball.
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