Should you teach young catchers to throw from the knees?

StacieM said:

Marc,

To answer your question, I don't think it's something you should spend an entire winter on. I think with that particular skill, a lot of catchers can either do it or not. Some are just that athletic/strong/skilled etc and can do it and do it well and don't need much coaching.

Others may be able to add it to their arsenal for special situations opportunities (not an every time thing) so it's fine to work with them on it a little, just to introduce it, give them the basics. But since they aren't going to be using it even half the time, I don't feel it's wise to spend a huge chunk of time on it.

The rest, even with tons of coaching on it will probably never be able to effectively use it, so why waste the time. Use it to further strengthen their other skills that they WILL be using on a regular basis.


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Side note: my 8-year-old is catching this year for the first time every so often. I notice that sometimes when she throws back to the pitcher, rather than stand and throw, she goes to her knees and does it. I don't think anyone "taught" it to her and I'm actually kind of surprised at the quality of her throw and her mechanics when she does it. Her upper body mechanics may be even slightly better throwing from the knees than when she stands and throws. She takes her time since no one is one base and makes a nice throw. I didn't catch much, so I don't now, but does doing this help "save" her legs a little during the game vs standing every time? It seems like it would, but like I said, I haven't been in that situation much and it was years ago, so I don't really know.

I haven't seen a reason to stop her from doing it, so I've just let it go. Is there any way in which this would be a negative thing?

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