By Abigail Gannaban · Last updated October 30, 2026
Weak outfield throws usually come from the feet, not the arm. The crow hop fixes that by turning a charging outfielder's momentum into the throw: field on the glove side, take two steps, hop the throwing-side foot through, plant and throw. On a ball rebounder you can run the full sequence alone, because the net sends back the ground ball you charge and catches the throw that follows.
What is the crow hop approach drill?
It's an outfield drill that pairs charging a ground ball with crow hop footwork into a throw. Dugout Captain's Outfield Approach drill has fielders run a curved path to a rolling ball, field it with the glove-side foot in front, take two extra steps, then hop to the opposite foot to plant and throw to a receiver or a target net. The library is written for baseball, but the footwork is the same in softball: Coach Kelly Jackson's Outfield Crow Hop lesson teaches it as a way to step toward the target and use the whole body on the throw.
How do you run the crow hop drill alone on a ball rebounder?
Tilt the net forward so your throw comes back as a roller, set cones in a short arc, and repeat the sequence. The setup values are our adaptation of the Approach drill for solo work.
| Setup item | Value | From |
|---|---|---|
| Ball rebounder | The Premier XL (PXL) Multi Sport Ball Rebounder, net tilted forward for ground-ball returns | Our adaptation |
| Start | About 30 to 40 ft from the net, behind a short arc of cones | Our suggestion |
| Sequence | Throw into the net, charge the return around the cones, field glove-side, step, step, crow hop, throw into the net | Dugout Captain (Approach drill); solo loop is ours |
| Footwork cue | Throwing-side foot hops "up and over" the glove-side foot, then the glove-side foot strides to the target | Dugout Captain |
| Reps | Sets of 8, alternating the side you approach from | Our suggestion |
Start with soft throws into the net so the return rolls slowly, then throw harder as the footwork gets smooth.
What should you fix first if the throw stays weak?
Fix where the ball is fielded first, then the hop. Dugout Captain's cue is to field the ball outside the glove-side foot; fielding off the wrong foot sends your momentum sideways. Next, make the hop go forward toward the target, not straight up, so the body moves toward the net. Keep the "step, step" before the hop while learning; it buys time to line up the throw. Once the rhythm is automatic, shorten the steps.
What does the net version train, and what still needs a field?
The net version trains the field-to-throw footwork, the part that adds the body to the throw. It can't give you the full outfield-to-cutoff distance or a cutoff player to hit. Run the crow hop on the rebound net during the week, then take it to the field for long throws to a relay or the plate. All Ball Pro makes steel-frame, multi-sport ball rebounders, also called rebound nets, in St. Louis, Missouri, for softball, baseball, lacrosse, soccer and basketball.
Why use the Premier XL for crow hop throws?
A crow hop throw carries momentum, so it misses wide more often than a standing throw, and the Premier XL's net is 40% wider than the Varsity's. The math: 7' of net width against 5', and 7 ÷ 5 = 1.4. A slightly wide throw still lands in the net and sends back the next roller. If your space is tight, The Varsity Multi Sport Ball Rebounder runs the same drill with a 5' x 5' target.
FAQ
What is a crow hop in softball? A crow hop is a short hop onto the throwing-side foot after fielding, followed by a stride with the glove-side foot toward the target, so the whole body goes into the throw.
Is the crow hop the same in softball and baseball? Yes. The footwork is the same: field glove-side, step, hop the throwing-side foot through, plant and throw.
Can you practice crow hop throws alone? Yes. A ball rebounder returns your throw as a ground ball to charge, so you can field, crow hop and throw back into the net without a partner.
Stronger outfield throws start with the feet, and a rebound net lets you rep the footwork alone. See The Premier XL (PXL) Multi Sport Ball Rebounder.