Outfield crow hop throws

Setup

1. Make two lines about 40 m apart, facing each other: throwers at one end, receivers at the other.
2. Mark a one-hop target zone with four cones about 8 m in front of the receivers.
3. The coach stands beside the throwers' line with the bucket, ready to roll balls out.
4. Warm the arms up with partner throwing before anyone throws long.

How it runs

1. The coach rolls a ball out toward the first thrower, who charges it and fields it on the glove side in stride.
2. The thrower crow hops and throws through the target zone so the ball reaches the receiver on one hop.
3. The receiver catches at the chest and rolls or throws the ball back to the coach.
4. The thrower jogs to the back of the line. After eight throws each, swap the lines.
5. Progress to fly balls: the coach throws a short fly, and the thrower catches it moving forward and crow hops into the throw.

Coaching points

• Field the ball in stride beside the glove foot, so you are already moving toward the target.
• Crow hop: the throwing-side foot steps across in front, then a short hop forward, shoulders closed to the target.
• Glove arm points at the target, then pull it in as you throw over the top.
• Aim low. A throw on one hop through the cut-off height is faster and easier to handle than a high rainbow.
• Follow through toward the target and keep moving forward.

Common mistakes

• Stopping to field the ball, then starting the throw from a standstill.
• Hopping straight up instead of forward, which wastes the momentum.
• Throwing sidearm, so the ball tails away from the target.
• Throwing high and long instead of low and on a line.