In-Between Hop
Also known as: in-between hop error, nickel hop
The in-between hop is an awkward bounce at shin or knee height. It is too high to pick off the dirt and too low to field out front, a common cause of errors.
Every ground ball offers one of three arrivals. It can be a low, rising ball taken right off the dirt, or a settled bounce that climbs into a comfortable catching height. The third is the awkward middle case that reaches the shins and knees. Neither the scoop nor the chest-high catch fits that middle height, which is why infielders dread it.
It cannot be designed out of the game, so coaching emphasis falls on reacting rather than hoping. A fielder who recognizes the awkward arrival a beat early has two real outs. One is to attack forward and take the ball immediately off the dirt. The other is to drop the chest behind it and smother the bounce. This keeps the ball in front instead of gambling on a clean glove pick. Standing flat-footed and waiting for it to resolve itself is the one choice that never works.
When the bounce catches you between heights, get your chest behind it and let the ball hit you. A ball knocked down in front of you is still a play; a ball that skips under a stabbing glove is not.
The lip where the infield dirt meets the grass is where most of these bounces are manufactured. Track where the previous bounce landed relative to that seam and you will read the awkward arrival half a step earlier than a fielder watching only the ball.
Example
The ball came up right at his knees, and rather than stabbing at it he dropped his chest behind it, kept it in front, and still threw the runner out at first.
Why it matters
This is one of the clearest and most common sources of infield errors on plays that look routine in a box score. Recognizing it early is a trainable read rather than luck.
How it shows up on video
On video, a well-handled awkward bounce shows a late but decisive adjustment — either a forward attack or a controlled body-block — rather than a static glove reach. A mishandled one usually shows the ball deflecting off the top or heel of the glove because the fielder committed to a single technique too early.
Common mistakes
- Committing to a glove-scoop or a standing catch before recognizing that the ball is arriving in the awkward zone
- Freezing instead of taking a late adjustment step to convert the arrival into something catchable
- Trying for a clean pick on a ball better handled by blocking it with the body to keep it in front
Frequently asked questions
Can this bounce always be avoided?
Not entirely — some ground balls arrive at an awkward height regardless of positioning. The goal is recognizing it early enough to choose a technique, not eliminating it.
Is it better to charge or back off?
Charge. Moving forward turns the bounce into something you can pick right off the dirt, which is a trainable technique. Backing up hands the choice to the ball and shrinks your reaction time at the same time.
Related terms
- Short HopA short hop is a ball caught the instant it rises off the dirt. It is usually the most reliable point of the bounce, since the ball has had no room to deviate.
- Reading a HopReading a hop is judging early where a ground ball's bounce will arrive. The fielder can then set footwork and glove angle before the ball gets there, not after.
- First-Step QuicknessFirst-step quickness is how fast a fielder's first move reacts off the bat. It is widely seen as the biggest factor in range, more than sprint speed.
- Fielding FootworkFielding footwork is how a player positions and moves their feet to field a ball cleanly. Good footwork also sets up a strong, accurate throw right away.
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