Q+A: Better Range in the Infield
Q: “What can help me improve my range in the middle infield?” - Vinnie Bowles
TRAINER ANSWERS: It’s all about leg strength. In the infield, you get two, maybe three steps to knock down a grounder, so your legs have to be powerful and quick. So in terms of conditioning, you want to mimic those movements:
Lunges, especially if you can step sideways into a lunge. Box step-ups work great if you can add a little extra weight. Lateral bounding means taking super-giant sideways steps. Running the 20-yard shuttle will help you burst sideways powerfully (plus the extra practice won’t hurt your SPARQ Rating). In terms of technique, pay attention to your defensive position. As the game wears on, bad players will simply bend at the waist. Good players get into an athletic, defensive position where their hips, knees and ankles are bent into a quarter squat.
March 11th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
1.One of the drills that we do here at the company is resisted lateral movements using the Sparq Shaw 360 players fields ground balls in real situations but with resistance.
2.5 star drill:
player stands at their natural position then breaks to the hole then back and then behind second and back then foreward and back the to the left and back then to the right. drill should be done wiht out stopping until complete and returns to start. This drill can be done with resistance.
All of our drills are desined to be functional for baseball. If any one has questions or wants more drills let us know. These drills are part of our D.R.A.F.T.(TM) program.
Ike Guerrero
Owner/Head Instructor
.400Company Baseball(TM)