In-Between Hop
Also known as: in-between hop error, nickel hop
The in-between hop is the awkward bounce that arrives at a fielder's shin or knee height rather than as a clean short hop or a rising long hop — the hardest hop to field and a common source of errors.
Every ground ball's bounce pattern gives a fielder either a low, rising short hop, a settled and predictable long hop, or — in the worst case — a bounce that arrives right in the uncomfortable zone between the two, too high to pick cleanly off the ground and too low to catch comfortably in front of the body. This in-between hop is notoriously the hardest to field, since neither a scoop nor a chest-high catch technique is naturally suited to the ball's height.
Because the in-between hop cannot always be avoided, infielders are coached to react to it rather than get fooled into standing flat-footed hoping it resolves itself: adjusting the feet at the last instant to convert it into either a short hop (attacking forward) or a controlled body-block (using the chest to smother the ball and keep it in front rather than trying for a clean glove pick). Recognizing an in-between hop early — often just before the final bounce — gives a fielder the fraction of a second needed to make that adjustment instead of getting caught in between.
Example
The ball hit the in-between hop right in front of him, and rather than trying to glove it cleanly, he smartly blocked it with his chest to keep it in front and still made the play at first.
Why it matters
The in-between hop is one of the clearest, most common sources of infield errors on routine-looking plays, and recognizing it early is a trainable read rather than pure luck.
How it shows up on video
On video, an in-between hop that is handled well shows a late adjustment — either a forward attack to beat the hop or a controlled body-block — rather than a static glove attempt; a mishandled in-between hop typically 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 too early, before recognizing that the hop is arriving in the awkward in-between zone
- Freezing rather than making a late adjustment step to convert the hop into a more manageable short hop
- 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 the in-between hop always be avoided?
Not entirely — some ground balls will always arrive at an awkward height regardless of positioning. The goal is recognizing it early enough to adjust, not eliminating it completely.
Related terms
- Short HopA short hop is fielding a ground ball immediately after it bounces, catching it just as it leaves the dirt — often considered the cleanest hop to field because the ball is rising predictably.
- Reading a HopReading a hop is the skill of judging early where a ground ball's bounce will arrive — as a short hop, an in-between hop, or a long hop — so the fielder can adjust footwork and glove angle before it reaches them.
- First-Step QuicknessFirst-step quickness is how fast a fielder's first movement reacts to a batted ball off the bat — widely considered the single biggest determinant of defensive range, more important than straight-line sprint speed.
- Fielding FootworkFielding footwork is how a player positions and moves their feet to field a ball cleanly and immediately set up a strong, accurate throw.
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