Reading Hops: The Anatomy Of A Ground Ball

Short Summary

1. Coach Rizz emphasizes the importance of young infielders developing the skill to read and judge ground balls effectively.
2. Even skilled infielders can make errors if they misjudge how to field a ground ball.
3. Rizz breaks down the anatomy of a ground ball into three parts: the bounce, the upward movement, and the downward movement.
4. He advises players to avoid fielding the ball while it is moving up, as this is when errors often occur.
5. Instead, he suggests focusing on the “short hop,” which is easier to field when the ball is moving down.
6. By anticipating where the ball will land, players can position themselves to catch it effectively.
7. Rizz mentions techniques to handle misjudged hops and stresses that great infielders have excellent footwork.
8. Good footwork allows infielders to consistently field easy hops and reduce errors.
9. He encourages viewers to practice this skill to simplify their game.
10. The overall message is to improve ground ball fielding through anticipation and proper technique.