Sports Product Review

While coaching baseball and softball, I have used a tennis illustration many times with my teams to explain getting ready for each pitch. I show them how players look as they prepare to return a serve. How they hop from one foot to the other on the balls of their feet. What I’m trying to teach them is what every coach knows, which is that when bodies are at rest it is difficult to overcome inertia. In other words, if you’re standing still – flat-footed, you will not be able to react and move as quickly as you would if you already had some momentum created by movement. This is why tennis players bounce and baseball infielders “step-step” each time the pitcher releases the ball.

So, as a coach or parent, you can preach it all you want, but when it’s hot, the game or match is dragging on, and players are tired, they tend to get lazy and stand flat-footed. So rather then having to constantly monitor and bark, “On your toes!” the folks at 2-Hop (www.2-hop.com) invented a device that buzzes that instruction to you.

The Quick Step Trainer is a buzzing system in your shoe that alerts you when your weight and position are incorrect. Simply slip these rubberized heel inserts into shoes or cleats and go out and practice. Anytime your feet rest in the wrong, flat-footed position for more than two seconds, a slight buzzing sensation alerts you that you need to get up on the balls of your feet.

My oldest son has grown a lot recently, has big feet and he tends to run and play the field flat-footed. So when 2-Hop sent us a pair to try I was excited. We went down to the field and he reluctantly inserted the devices, and then went out to play short. After a dozen or so ground balls I asked him how they felt. He yelled back, “Annoying.” I had to laugh.

I don’t mind him being annoyed if he learns to stay on his toes. He has gotten to the point where he doesn’t listen to me much anymore anyway. But that’s fine. I don’t have to tell him to get off his heels. The Quick Step Trainer does it for me.

Source: Quick Step Trainer