Thread: Pro Step or Crow Hop?

Coaches-

As we are running our summer camps/clinics, I was hoping to get your input on which one, the Pro Step or the Crow Hop, you all are teaching in the OF and why? Pros/Cons to each would be helpful, and any specific anecdotal evidence to support your claims always welcome.

Our program models both but leaves it to the player to decide which one is more comfortable/suitable; I have a tendency to lean towards pushing the Pro Step, but many of my players have excellent crow hops too.

In addition, I'm wondering if field dimensions and/or playing surfaces should have any bearing on the decision to teach one over the other. Our home field is 220 down lines and 230 down CF, turf with an all-dirt IF, and lots of foul territory room. Hence, the balls get to you quickly but the running paths are equally fast. But we do play at several fields that are natural grass and much smaller than ours too.

During our spring break trip to TN this year, I found a combination of both being used by outfielders. Trinity Christian and Daniel Boone, both out of TN, had some girls who could really Pro Step out of the OF...it was very impressive. Appeared to get rid of the ball faster than what a crow hop would've allowed.

Let me know what you think when you have a chance, and thanks in advance.

Originally Posted by Screwball

Teach both and the let the player use whatever the player prefers as a natural step.

What do you call the old-school one I saw in an Alabama video? Not really a crop hop, was more like a flying bicycle step! I remember the pro baseball players doing that when I was a kid.

Yes, I think my coach called that the "running skip" when I was a little kid. That's what we have been doing up to this point, letting them decide what's most comfortable. Thanks for the reply.

What exactly is the "Pro Step"? I googled but all I saw were videos (can't view).

I like learning new things...

I personally like the "Drive Step" (is that the same thing as pro-step?) Seems like the crow hop gets the weight going up instead of going toward the target. We teach both but put more time into the drive step.

Originally Posted by GunnerShotgun

What exactly is the "Pro Step"? I googled but all I saw were videos (can't view).

I like learning new things...

Look under Softball Fielding - Model Fielding - Post number 9.