I attended the Rangers vs. Red Sox game last Monday and the Rangers vs. Tigers game last night and noticed something interesting with both of the visiting infielderss...

All of the Red Sox/Tigers infielders not only walked into their ready positions as the pitcher was in his delivery (which is what I have taught for years) but each also hopped (literally both feet off of the ground) an instant before the ball got to the plate. The Red Sox infielders hops were fairly high and, at least in my opinion, almost exaggerated. The Tigers hop was much smaller, but definitely still there. The Rangers infielders did not do this.

With that lead-in, what do you teach (and what age/level to you coach) and why? Thanks.

What you describe sounds similar to a tennis player's approach.

I have taught the walking approach and the walk/hop approach at all levels (youth to college) depending on what is comfortable to the fielder.

Exactly what I was thinking redbird. I always tell my guys it's a comfort thing and do the one they think is most comfortable to them. The whole point of doing this is to be moving at the point you need to move. You got to be moving in order to move.

Lower levels you will probably find that the step step ready (or hop) would be easier to teach but I'm assuming on that one.

What about glove position when getting ready for the pitch as an infielder. I heard an announcer talk about a player having to change from a "palms up" ready position to more of a palms turned toward each other position. The announcer, an ex-MLB player, said that starting like that would help the player's lateral movement. Any ideas on this?

quote:

Originally posted by coachvrska:
I attended the Rangers vs. Red Sox game last Monday and the Rangers vs. Tigers game last night and noticed something interesting with both of the visiting infielderss...

All of the Red Sox/Tigers infielders not only walked into their ready positions as the pitcher was in his delivery (which is what I have taught for years) but each also hopped (literally both feet off of the ground) an instant before the ball got to the plate. The Red Sox infielders hops were fairly high and, at least in my opinion, almost exaggerated. The Tigers hop was much smaller, but definitely still there. The Rangers infielders did not do this.

With that lead-in, what do you teach (and what age/level to you coach) and why? Thanks.

What you are seeing is a separation of feet.
By separating their feet the infielders (much like a tennis player receiving serve)are overcoming inertia.

An object at rest tends to stay at rest, and an object in motion tends to stay in motion. ie. they will be quicker to move right or left.

If they were to walk into it only, and lets say they go "right left right....with no separation" they will be strong to the right and weak to the left. and vice versa

Perry Hill (current Pirates Inf coach) former Detroit Tigers INF coordinator, former Florida Marlins Inf Coach, and friends of Craig Shipley (who works for the Red Sox)......Perry is the widely known as the best infield coach on the planet......From this man is where the separation of feet came from......

I am sure you are seeing the influence of Perry Hill when you saw the Tigers & Red Sox infielders and their preparation prior to the ball entering the hitting zone.....

Perry Hill's Instrucional DVD (Ultimate Infield) is the BEST, AND MOST SIMPLE INFIELD INSTRUCTIONAL DVD THERE IS......Uncomplicated and to the point......the more you watch it the more you understand how important everything he teaches is.