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Discussion Topic: Crossover?
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CoachBill |
09-26-2005 @ 1:23 PM
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I teach a cross over step for the first step in stealing 2B. One of my players had a lesson the other day and came out showing the other players how his instructor had him jab stepping with his right foot first then crossing with his left.
Is this one of those things where there isn't really a right and wrong way to do things?
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stylemismatch |
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09-26-2005 @ 6:40 PM
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I always thought just the crossover step was fastest, but after trying it both ways the 'jab' step feels faster. (Of course these 47 year old knees aren't the quickest any more either).
Just a thought - do an experiment and let some of your players be the guinea pigs. Have them run a set distance, each player alternating between the two methods, with a short rest between runs. Do three times each, and take the average for each player. That'll give at least a sampling of real data instead of merely opinions.
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Bob_Byrd |
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09-27-2005 @ 9:17 AM
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There is (was) a college coach in a small school in Louisiana that in order to compete improved the running game of his team.
He found that everyone has a dominant leg and to utilize that information he had two different first steps in stealing second base. To find the dominant leg in each player have him stand on the edge of first base with both legs. Lift one off the ground and leap out as far as he can with the other. Then reverse legs. One leg will be f*rther out than the other.
If I remember correctly the right leg dominant player used the jab step and the left leg dominant player used the crossover. You will see both styles used in the major leagues.
Bob Byrd
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Memphis |
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09-28-2005 @ 11:34 AM
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Bob,
I'm having a hard time visualizing this "drill" to determine the dominant leg. One leg is in the air and you jump with the other? Huh?
Could you provide a little more detail?
I always figured whichever leg you would prefer to kick a ball with is your dominant leg. But, perhaps that isn't true with regards to running.
David Emerling
Memphis, TN
David Emerling
Memphis, TN
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Bob_Byrd |
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09-29-2005 @ 7:49 AM
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Lift your right leg and leap out as far as you can with your left. Land on your left leg only, keeping the right leg off the ground. Then repeat by lifting the left leg. There will be a slight difference. Use the edge of the base as a starting point.
This coach’s study showed there are quite a few right handed players that are left leg dominant.
Bob Byrd
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stylemismatch |
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09-29-2005 @ 10:34 AM
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The 'dominant leg' theory sounds interesting. Bob, do you have any numbers as far as how much faster the players were when they led with their dominant leg.
Also, I'll bet that in most all cases the dominant leg also happens to be the preferred kicking leg. I know in my case, when I played soccer, there was a huge difference in my shot with my left vs. right foot. And in attempting the test that Bob describes, my right leg comes out on top.
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JimW. |
09-29-2005 @ 10:51 AM
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Very interesting post. I tried this and as it turns out, I'm left leg dominant and I kick with my right leg. I am ambidextrous in many sports though.
JimW.
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CoachBill |
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09-29-2005 @ 11:31 AM
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One thing I have learned by coaching youth football is that young players have little or no explosiveness. Their leg muscles are just not devolped enough at the pre high school age. We have drills to improve this that will probobly cross over to baseball. Being explosive those first two or three steps is probobly more important than with foot you step with first.
This is also where form running before each practice can pay off. We do it.
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stylemismatch |
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09-29-2005 @ 1:33 PM
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CoachBill, could you describe your form-running drills?
thanks
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CoachBill |
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09-29-2005 @ 3:04 PM
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We'va always done the form running recommended here such as high knees, butt kickers, kareoka, sizzor claps, backward running. In foot ball we add frog hops, 10 yard sprints, carrying a player piggy back,
bounding with giant steps, etc.
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