Fielding and footwork

I teach feet and shoulders should be square except on one play - IF in and a play at the plate. In that situation, I like the right foot back slightly (R toes even with L heel). This allows a quicker transfer on a shorter throw.

I don't like one foot more offset than another because any bad hops will deflect the ball toward the open side. I would rather any bad hops deflected right in front.

Played IF and work with college IFs now.

quote:

Originally posted by Ryno23:
I was taught (and have taught) that the basic fielding position involves moving into the ball with the last two steps being...right, left, and then field. At this point, the feet are in a heel-toe relationship with the throwing hand-side foot back (left foot in front).
Watching a new DVD the other day the coach was explaining the feet needed to be in the opposite position from what I explained above. This would allow more freedom of the the glove arm/elbow and make the fielding motion easier.
I just want to make life easier for my infielders and don't want to be "in the back of the cave" if there is a better way to get it done.

What do you guys teach and why?

Just curious as to what dvd and coach it is? thanks.

"The Art of the Infield: Three Step Approach For the Complete Infielder" by Bo Durkac.

It's very good.

Thanks for the info. I have been meaning to get that DVD, but wanted to be sure this is what he taught.

I have seen many coaches in the past year going to this style. Not sure if it is new or not, but I have seen the coach at San Diego State and Iowa teaching some of the same things.

I also helped a AA infielder get ready for spring training this winter and he was also doing this same type of footwork.

Just curious. Does Coach Durkac teach fielding using mainly the one handed approach? This is another thing I have been seeing taught a lot lately. This is seen especially on balls slightly to a players right. Instead of getting in front using two hands, the player is instructed to use a backhand play (right foot out front), field in the middle of body, and then shuffle and throw to first.

I live right down the road from Championship Productions, so I am going to have to stop in there and take a look at this DVD. I am interested to see the content.

Yes, if I am clear on what you mean. He stresses that many IF get in trouble with the old "get your body in front" or "take off the chest" style. In other words, that philosophy/method is not the way the elite player fields. They move up, back, and laterally to get good hops.
When he breaks down and fields the ball inside the framework of his body, he funnels it into his belt. Which could be another topic in itself. As you probably know, a lot of coaches are going to more of an "aggressive hands" approach by pushing through the ball somewhat. But I digress...

He demonstrates a great deal in the video, which is helpful.

Any IF has to have good footwork to be successful. Getting good hops, reading hops, etc. is part of being a good fielder.

The backhand you mention is the V cut or declared backhand. This is on the ball the you COULD get around but it would take your momentum more towards 3B than 1B. By using better footwork, you create momentum towards 1B.

There is not some great new method to fielding GBs. What I have found is a lot of coaches will try to reinvent the wheel in order to get the next promotion or sell another video. I am not saying this about Bo but I have seen it increasingly in the last 7-10 years, especially from assistant coaches.

A lot of infielders at higher levels field with their left foot back. I believe it allows your hands to be softer and does free your hands up. I believe that the "old" style of left foot forward blocks off your body and makes your hands hard.

You come in on the ball. Right step plant. Left Plant. Left foot should be back slightly.

As Mr. Bob Williams told me.

"You field with your left ear"

KT