The "Auburn hop", a leap toward
more effective, efficient fielding?
The Auburn Tigers started it, which is why it’s now dubbed the “Auburn hop”.
It’s a way of getting set to make a play on the ball. It is a short jump, a small leap, a hop straight up into the air by an infielder before every pitch.
Among the Wesley Wolverines, it is practiced by freshman #1 MI Bianca Newsom (Edison, NJ) on every fastpitch hurled.
Advocates say it’s based on science.
Dr. Wendi Meimar, Auburn’s director of the sports biomechanics laboratory, claims the “Auburn hop” takes out slack in the muscle.
“So that when the muscle fires for them (i.e., defensive players) to move in a more aggressive, purposeful ballistic motion, it is more effective,” she says.
The videos below explore this unique approach to fastpitch fielding.
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| Wesley Wolverine freshman #1 MI Bianca Newsom (Edison, NJ). |