Crow hop vs step behind

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NBECoach

Learning everyday
Aug 9, 2018
408
63
Crow hop has the fielder in the air going up for a second or so whereas the step behind has continuous motion towards the target. To me that is quicker. MLB outfielders use it more and more.
 
Apr 20, 2018
4,581
113
SoCal
Crow hop is outdated for 12u older. It is a nice move to learn at younger ages but in the real world most throws are under 160 ft. which is a strong toss/quick footwork for the better players.
 
Jun 6, 2016
2,714
113
Chicago
DD was taught in travel ball to crow hop for throwing from the outfield, and has been doing it for four years. HS HC is telling the team to do the step behind technique, Outfield Crow Hop vs. Step Behind Technique! (WHICH IS BETTER?). HC keeps on saying how they do it in the MLB. Is step behind a thing in softball now?

I was sold on the Step Behind (which the person I learned it from called the "pro step"), however, the person in the video you posted actually does it wrong. You want to field the ball with the glove side foot behind (should be timed with the throwing side foot landing).

Antonelli demonstrates basically it how I learned it here (except I was taught to field the ball a little closer to the center of the body, which has the added benefit of making the ball less likely to bounce to the wall if it takes a funny hop):

It's not just that the step behind is quicker, but I think it does a better job of keeping a player balanced, moving in the right direction, and getting the weight on the right foot (RH thrower) to start the throw without taking extra steps.
 

Chris Delorit

Member
Apr 24, 2016
343
28
Green Bay, WI
As an infielder, Matt is probably naturally going to gravitate toward his traditional footwork.

As an infielder and outfielder in both sports, my preference was the crow hop on long throws where momentum was required and runner was in motion. I found it superior for linear power and a more direct ball track. Developing an efficient & effective crow hop requires a dedicated commitment to practice time.

The cross behind worked fine for some of the shorter throws ... i.e. off of directional angles or where runners weren't in motion.

Where the cross behind has the potential to be counterproductive with younger, inexperienced players in the OF would be in tripping through the footwork and tailing ball paths.

Great footwork = building block of dynamic skills.

Chris
 
May 17, 2012
2,804
113
I wonder what Kobata would say about the "Step Behind" (probably wouldn't like it). No need to open those hips...
 
Oct 14, 2016
77
33
I agree with Chris. I have my outfielders do both, but it is situational dependent.

Momentum in your throw from the outfield is paramount for many obvious reasons. A ball in the air, we use a slide-step(behind or in front) hop and a ball on the ground, we use the crow-hop.

My theory is that the crow-hop is a great way to bring the body vertical (fix posture, get feet underneath) right before the throw, which aids in building that momentum toward the base throwing to. This, I believe is optimal for balls in front.

Again, these are all situational. Ground ball carries my CF toward first base and she needs to gun it to third, we won't crow hop, we will step behind to turn our body and shuffle for momentum build and assist in accuracy.

As stated above, footwork is an essential fundamental.
 
Oct 4, 2018
4,611
113
I use the step-behind in disc golf and raquetball (the serve). Always did crow hop for baseball. Hmm...
 

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