Catcher throwing from their knees

I'm no catching expert but don't see why this would be required given that the vast majority of high level catchers do it standing up. One thing this site drills into me all the time is don't reinvent the wheel look at the very best and copy.

I think a snap throw down to first for a pick off would be the obvious exception, third is closer so the extra time from standing up is not really that big of a waste since the distance is shorter and a good throw gets there faster than second plus going to third you also have to worry about clearing the batter so I don't think you would need it for third either.

If you can't find many video of high level catchers doing it, maybe its because they don't do it very often.

I really like this site but sometimes I wonder why I post anything on here. I'm pretty sure when I posted I asked if anyone has video of this. Not once did I ask if it was the right thing to teach.

I wonder how many people don't actually post anything on this site because of the way some react on here.

Thank you very much to those that actually helped...

Thank you very much to those that actually helped...

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Catching - YouTube

Bandits - I used to get very frustrated too. Just have to learn to sift through the drama, extreme opinions, and know-it-alls. And even then, a lot of these "my way is better than yours" wars that people get into can still produce some unbelievable lessons and insight as to what some brilliant people think. Best 3 pieces of advice I can give you on here. Be ready for BRUTAL HONESTY, cause you're gonna get it. Don't ever try to step into a conversation with some of the veterans on here that post ALL THE TIME where you're not 100% sure you know EXACTLY what you're talking about. And finally, don't talk too much about people that are not members on this site. They very well can become one with a click of a button. Talk about EGG ON FACE. Organization that DD plays for has a catcher on the 12U team who's coach consistently has her throw from her knees in practice. She's done it in a few games here and there, but not too much. I'll see if I can get some footage at our next practice. I TOO don't have a problem with it on throw to first or third, but would rather not see it on throws down to second base. Good luck, and keep on pluggin' away.

Josh

Australian catchers generally do it. It's like the video of the young girl that Amy posted, you're doing the same motion, but with your knees instead of your feet.

The reason it might not be taught in America is because a lot of the coaches are men who are thinking in baseball terms. We are not playing baseball. We have a lot less time in softball to throw the out. In baseball they have an extra 30 feet (correct me if I'm wrong, never had much to do with baseball) to run, so the catcher has more time.

I would have to disagree with you on the "coaches are men thinking in baseball terms" part. Personally speaking, I think throwing from the knees isn't the greatest idea going down to second, but I can think of times when it would be applicable. One being pitch location. If the catcher is set-up on the inside half, and the pitch misses down and out....I would think the ball would come out faster if you stayed down with the pitch and threw from the knees. Just all depends. You just don't see it a bunch in general, but that doesn't mean some of these catchers don't improvise mid-pitch and just do what comes natural. Our local highschool team has a PHENOMENAL catcher, and I've seen her throw girls out from her knees if the pitch takes her that way. Majority of the time she doesn't, but I have seen it done. She's got a CANNON though, so they've got to know what they're capable of.

Josh

I'm interested in seeing that DD learns about it anyhow. When she can do it... maybe not till next year ???, I would have her start out only doing it in the warm up between innings, and at tryouts. Looks like a great move to establish perception, definitely a standout move. Surprised that no one said anything about the arch in the video.... lookz to me like is it worked just fine. Also I wouldn't want to use it against the fast players, except down to 1st, and only when you are just throwing at them to keep them honest, and not really going after them.

Thanks to all of those that have provided helpfull info.

I have worked on this quite a bit with my catcher and it seems to make sense in certain situations. As stated earlier, a pitch down in the zone is a perfect opportunity to throw from the knees. Any pitch up in the zone I have her popping up and throwing from her feet. I can tell you that her pop time is 2-3 tenths of a second faster when she throws from her knees. Not to mention she is just as accurate when she throws from her knees.

Banditscoach said:

Thanks to all of those that have provided helpfull info.

I have worked on this quite a bit with my catcher and it seems to make sense in certain situations. As stated earlier, a pitch down in the zone is a perfect opportunity to throw from the knees. Any pitch up in the zone I have her popping up and throwing from her feet. I can tell you that her pop time is 2-3 tenths of a second faster when she throws from her knees. Not to mention she is just as accurate when she throws from her knees.

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I just stumbled on this, but the video "13 Year old throwing from her knees" is my daughter. You are exactly right on pitch location determines what you do, down in the zone from the knees, up she throws from her feet. almost all throws to first from the knees, rarely to third, unless a left handed batter at the plate. The best advice i can offer is if you can find an ex college catcher that gives instruction. They can teach you so many little things that you would never think of. My DD just started throwing from her knees, she is 13 but is already over 5'10", In certain situations she is definitely quicker to the base from her knees,,a lot of people that are against it are thinking more about baseball, the shorter distance in softball makes it more practical. Just let her work on it both ways in practice, once in the games, they will just break out with what ever they are most comfortable with..Good Luck