Baseball drill
Crow hop ring drill
Two rings or flat markers on the ground set the path for an outfielder's crow hop, so the hop goes out toward the target instead of up in the air, and the player follows through after the throw. It builds a strong, low crow hop for throws to the infield.
At a glance
- Sport
- Baseball and Softball
- Skill
- Outfield
- Ages
- 10U to High school
- Players
- 1 to 4 per station, plus a partner or net to throw to
- Time
- About 10 minutes
- Level
- Intermediate
- Equipment
- 2 agility rings or flat markers, Gloves, Balls, A partner or throwing net
- Indoors
- Yes
The crow hop is how an outfielder turns momentum into a long, strong throw. The common mistake is hopping up into the air, which looks busy and wastes all that energy. A good crow hop goes out, toward the target, and the body keeps moving that way after the ball is gone.
Rings or flat markers on the ground make the path clear: the player has to land in them, which only works if the hop goes forward. The drill fits in a gym or on any patch of grass, and players can work in small groups with one partner or a net to throw to.
Setup
- Lay two rings or flat markers on the ground in a line toward the throwing target, about a stride apart.
- The player stands a few feet behind the first ring with a ball in the glove.
- A partner or a net stands at the target. Outdoors, start at a comfortable throwing distance.
How to run it
- The player starts as if they have just fielded the ball, glove side forward.
- A right-handed thrower pushes off and hops forward so the left foot lands in the first ring (left-handers use the right foot).
- The player pushes out again and lands in the second ring, still moving toward the target.
- From the second ring, the player plants the back foot, steps toward the target and throws.
- The player follows the throw, taking a few steps toward the target after the release. Then the next player goes.
Coaching points
- Hop out, not up. The rings are there to show the difference.
- Keep the hops quick and low so momentum builds.
- Eyes on the target through the footwork.
- Follow the throw. Stopping short after the release means the body put on the brakes.
Common mistakes
- Hopping high, which wastes energy and delays the throw.
- Stopping between the last hop and the throw.
- Throwing all arm, with the legs doing little.
- Planting and stopping right after the release.
Printable drill card
Take this drill to the field: the setup, steps, coaching points and equipment on one card, with the video's address to find it again. Free, no account needed.
Print the drill cardSmaller: half page or quarter page (PDF).
By age
10U
Put the rings closer together and work on the rhythm of the hop before adding a hard throw.
12U
Ask for speed through the rings and no pause before the throw.
14U and up
Space the rings out to make players cover more ground, and lengthen the throw toward a cutoff or a base.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do outfielders crow hop?
It gets the body moving toward the target before the throw, so the legs add power and the ball carries farther. A good crow hop goes forward and low, not up in the air.
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