In today’s breakdown, we’re analyzing Justin Turner’s third base play in the World Series, focusing on his use of the drop step. This technique is crucial for third basemen to effectively field hard-hit balls.
Mastering Third Base with the Drop Step
At third base, adapting to varying ball speeds and bounces is essential. The drop step is a vital skill for creating necessary space to field challenging hits.
Key Takeaways for Third Basemen:
-
Drop Step: Use this to create distance, especially on hard-hit balls.
-
Dictate the Hop: Adjust your feet to field short or long hops, avoiding in-between bounces.
-
React and Adjust: Don’t hesitate to retreat to gain a better angle and more time to make the play.
Remember, dictating the hop is key. By creating distance, you allow yourself more time to react and make a clean play, turning potential errors into successful outs. Footwork is very important when fielding as a third baseman.
Don’t be afraid to retreat, get the right angle, and make the play.
For more tips on improving your baseball skills, visit BaseballSkillsHub.com.