Throwing... The Key To Defensive Baseball - Part I

Importance of Throwing

1. It is the single most important defensive skill.
2. Throwing errors are two base or more errors.
3. If an infielder doesn't field the ball cleanly the runner gets one base - but, if the infielder fields the ball and then overthrows any base the runner usually gets two bases.
4. Failure to throw the ball accurately to the relay man or cutoff man results in the runners advancing an extra base.
5. Inaccurate throws result in a breakdown of the team alignment system.
6. There is no known method of giving a player a great arm; but, if your players have an understanding of the mechanics of throwing and drills are practiced daily to implement these mechanics, a coach should come close to developing each player to his fullest throwing potential.
7. Successful coaching of throwing uses a variety of word pictures.

Mechanics

Grip

1. Foundation for good throwing.
2. Grip the ball with the index and middle fingers across the seams where the seams are the widest. This grip allows for a four-seam rotation giving optimum friction, carry, and a true hop.
3. The thumb should be under the ball, not resting on the side of the ball.
4. Thumb acts as a "runway" or a "launching pad" for the throw.
5. Ring finger rests against the side of the ball.
6. Finger tips and thumb should be in contact with seams.
7. Grip can be compared to a triangle - index and middle fingers form the base while the thumb forms the vertex angle.
8. Spreading the index and middle fingers slightly, will provide a stable axis - helping to eliminate tailing of the ball on long throws.
9. Spread the index and middle finger on the ball so that their width is approximately that of the width of the opposite index finger.
10. This can be obtained by placing the index finger of the glove hand between the fingers of the throwing hand.
11. Do not grip the ball too tightly or spread the fingers too wide this impedes flexibility.
12. Do not "choke" the ball off by burying it too deeply in the hand.
13. If hand size does not permit the two-finger grip, allow younger players to grip the ball with three fingers.
14. Conscientious practice, while playing catch, will enable the player to find the seams and establish a correct grip every time.

Directional Side

1. The directional side is the glove side of the body, which includes the shoulder, elbow, hand, hip, knee, and foot.
2. Directional side has two main considerations - the shoulder and the stride.

Shoulder

1. In correct throwing position the front shoulder is closed and pointed at the target.
2. You know that the shoulder is in correct throwing position when the glove is elevated and extended it points directly toward the target.
3. Player must be conscious of front shoulder and feel that he is throwing over it.

Stride Lateral Control

1. Stride gives us LATERAL CONTROL of the throw.
2. Draw a line from the pivot foot to the target - striding foot should land slightly to the left of this line (RHT) not on it, when making the throw - reverse is true for left-handed thrower.
3. Most common fault is stepping across the imaginary line to the target (throwing across the body) when making a throw.
4. Stride gives lateral control of throw, therefore; stride foot should land in the same relationship to target on every throw.
5. To see if players stride is correct - have the player stride and hold position, then elevate glove and see if glove stills points at original target - if it does stride is correct.

Coaching Key - Directional Side (shoulder/stride) should go directly toward the target.

Release - Vertical Control of Throw

1. Players must understand that the ball is released off the tips of the index and middle fingers, thus imparting backspin rotation upon the ball.
2. To prevent a slider or screwball effect the ball must be released with equal pressure on the index and middle fingers.
3. To achieve maximum rotation on the ball, the wrist must be supple and drive downward as the ball is released.
4. Vertical control is determined by the release point:
   • Too early - throw is high.
   • Too late - throw is low.
5. To find the correct release point... Throw your hand at the target.

Arm Action

1. Correct arm action utilizes the full arm.
2. Shoulder, elbow, and hand inscribe a circle.
3. Elbow should be shoulder high in most case.
4. To assure proper arm action the hand should be on top of the ball - Fingers on top of the ball, not under it, at time of release.
5. Reinforce the follwing to correct or imiprove arm action.
6. "Turn the thumb in". By turning the thumb of the throwing hand slightly inward, the hand and fingers are forced "on top of the ball".
7. Make a perfect circle with the ball.

Coaching Key - DOWN, AROUND, (Hand on Top of the Ball).

Rhythm

1. Mechanics are no good without throwing rhythm - do not throw flat-footed.
2. To achieve throwing rhythm.

For beginners - RHT.

• Catch ball in center of body.
• Step toward target with left foot (RHT)
• Close: Bring the heel of the right foot forward and along side middle of left foot.
• Step toward target and throw.
• Set grip and bring directional side into alignment during "close" phase!

Coaching Key - STEP, CLOSE, STEP or STEP, HOP, STEP to generate throwing rhythm.

More advanced - RHT.

• Simultaneously catch the ball and transfer weight to pivot foot - get to your right foot (RHT).
• Take throwing steps as catch is made - play through the ball.

Coaching Key - Very Important Coaching Key - While the rhythm step is being taken "two" important things happen.

1. During the rhythm step - "Set your Grip".
2. During the rhythm step - Get "Directional side" into proper throwing position.

Follow Through

To complete the throw, a proper follow through is necessary. This can be achieved by having the body end up square to the receiver. That is, both shoulders and both hips should be facing directly toward the player receiving the throw.

Throwing

Rules For Playing

1. Same partners every day - SS/2B, 1B/3B.
2. Knees flexed, weight on balls of feet.
3. Two hands - thumb to thumb.
4. Chest high throws.
5. Center on the ball.

Warm-up Arm(Optimal warm-up time approximately 10 minutes)

Warm-up period should be approximately 10 minutes once the players are in shape and weather is decent-longer warm-up period may be necessary earlier in the season. Check next months column for throwing drills.

NEXT MONTH - THROWING DRILLS Part II

If you have any questions on throwing or any other aspect of baseball please email your questions to Coach Dunn.