Infielders need to know how to "give ground"

So many times when we work with our infielders we teach them how to field the routine ground ball. We teach them how to field the backhand and the charge ball. But, what about the "give ground" ball?

The give ground ball is the ball where you drop step(Righties with their left foot) and lower your eyes to get a better hop.

You're playing an infield position and the ball is hit to you. You don't have to charge it and you don't need to go either way to field it. It is literally right at you. You're always trying to get the good hop. As you see it progressing towards you, you realize you're going to get an in between hop. What to do?

Drop step and give some ground to get the hop at the top of the hop rather than the middle of the hop.

A very important point to giving ground is that when you give ground you must also work very quick with your feet to move in the direction of your target after giving ground. Maybe that is why little league teams never practice this ball- not enough arm strength to record the out anyway. But, if the arm strength is there, infielders should practice this ball repeatedly as it simply allows them to get a better hop on the routine ground ball.

Watch some high level games and you will invariably see the "give ground" ball. Don't dismiss it because arm strength might be a factor.