Should you teach young catchers to throw from the knees? - Tons of softball drills, softball tips, and advice on softball hitting, softball pitching, coaching softball, softball training, and more.

Marc Dagenais · 05-20-2008, 04:27 AM

I got that question from a local coach this week. I will admit - I am not a catching expert. I know the catching fundamentals but I have never been a catcher and I just know enough to be able to work with them a little bit.

So, her question was "Is that correct if the catching coach of my catcher spend the whole winter teaching how to throw on the bases from her knees because it's not working at all?"

My answer was: "Well, I haven't seen too many do that in the women's game even at the university and international level. Yes, a few will do it, especially those blessed with rocket arm and quick release but it's not the majority".

What are your thoughts about that? How would you answer that?

Catching Coach · 05-20-2008, 05:50 AM

Marc,

I have only a handfull of high school girls that I have ever taught to throw to 1st on a pickoff from the knees. Never to 2nd. The number of girls that have a strong enough arm to make the throw is so small it is not worth it.

While the player may get the ball in the air a little bit faster then using full mechanincs the loss of velocity does not justify it.

Also the margin for error for not getting a straight drive line to the base in the throwing slot is also so huge it again is not worth it.

It looks cool, that is for sure, but not very practicle for most girls.

Jerilyn · 05-20-2008, 06:13 AM

I don't think at an early age that you would want to do that. I would think that you want to stick with the fundamentals, that would be for a more advanced, stronger players. High school and collage players.

fastpitch91 · 05-22-2008, 09:37 PM

At the risk of co-opting this thead to a different direction ....

I have the challenge of developing a catcher from scratch for next year. Can anyone suggest a good resource and a range of skill development drills for taking a fielder and turning them into a catcher with a focus on the fundamentals of being able to handle catching a pitcher with a full array of breaking pitches and positoning and mechanics in anticipation of bunt and steal situations, etc.

She has the arm strenght to get the ball there so at least that is not an issue!
thanks

Marc Dagenais · 05-22-2008, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fastpitch91

At the risk of co-opting this thead to a different direction ....

I have the challenge of developing a catcher from scratch for next year. Can anyone suggest a good resource and a range of skill development drills for taking a fielder and turning them into a catcher with a focus on the fundamentals of being able to handle catching a pitcher with a full array of breaking pitches and positoning and mechanics in anticipation of bunt and steal situations, etc.

She has the arm strenght to get the ball there so at least that is not an issue!
thanks

Check out catching coach's video.. great resource. I believe it is the best on the market. Can't go wrong. Best of all? He is a regular visitor here so you can ask him questions directly.

Available at: http://catchingcamp.com/index.php?page=dvd

Marc

HG dad · 05-23-2008, 04:35 AM

I am glad Mr. Finch saw passed what other people and his child could do or he would have given up way before Jennie's college years.

Randy

StacieM · 05-30-2008, 08:24 PM

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.

----------

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?

05-20-2008, 04:27 AM	#1 (permalink)
Marc Dagenais Peak Performance Coach Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada Posts: 305	Should you teach young catchers to throw from the knees? I got that question from a local coach this week. I will admit - I am not a catching expert. I know the catching fundamentals but I have never been a catcher and I just know enough to be able to work with them a little bit. So, her question was "Is that correct if the catching coach of my catcher spend the whole winter teaching how to throw on the bases from her knees because it's not working at all?" My answer was: "Well, I haven't seen too many do that in the women's game even at the university and international level. Yes, a few will do it, especially those blessed with rocket arm and quick release but it's not the majority". What are your thoughts about that? How would you answer that? __________________ Marc Dagenais, MHK, CSCS http://www.softballperformance.com Marc Dagenais is a softball peak performance coach that helps players be more confident, mentally tougher, hit with more power, run faster, throw harder, and be more dominant on the field. He also helps coaches win more games and get more out of their team. To get tons of performance-boosting softball tips, tricks, and advice by email, sign-up for his FREE softball newsletter. To quickly and easily boost your performance, check out Marc's powerful softball resources.

05-22-2008, 09:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
fastpitch91 Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 17	catcher training basics At the risk of co-opting this thead to a different direction .... I have the challenge of developing a catcher from scratch for next year. Can anyone suggest a good resource and a range of skill development drills for taking a fielder and turning them into a catcher with a focus on the fundamentals of being able to handle catching a pitcher with a full array of breaking pitches and positoning and mechanics in anticipation of bunt and steal situations, etc. She has the arm strenght to get the ball there so at least that is not an issue! thanks Last edited by fastpitch91; 05-22-2008 at 09:38 PM. Reason: spelling

05-23-2008, 04:35 AM	#6 (permalink)
HG dad Dad,Coach,Blue Join Date: May 2008 Location: Central Texas Posts: 13	making a college player I am glad Mr. Finch saw passed what other people and his child could do or he would have given up way before Jennie's college years. Randy

05-30-2008, 08:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
StacieM Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 97	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. ---------- 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? __________________ Stacie Mahoe Coaching Bootcamp now open! Connect with fellow fastpitch fanatics at Fastpitch World.

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05-20-2008, 05:50 AM	#2 (permalink)
Catching Coach Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Hudson, NH Posts: 29	Marc, I have only a handfull of high school girls that I have ever taught to throw to 1st on a pickoff from the knees. Never to 2nd. The number of girls that have a strong enough arm to make the throw is so small it is not worth it. While the player may get the ball in the air a little bit faster then using full mechanincs the loss of velocity does not justify it. Also the margin for error for not getting a straight drive line to the base in the throwing slot is also so huge it again is not worth it. It looks cool, that is for sure, but not very practicle for most girls.

05-20-2008, 06:13 AM	#3 (permalink)
Jerilyn Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 12	I don't think at an early age that you would want to do that. I would think that you want to stick with the fundamentals, that would be for a more advanced, stronger players. High school and collage players.