What age to start throwing from knees?

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May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
I can instantly tell. Shes a perfectionist. Tell her to get that siliness out of her noggin when she's catching. Check out these screen shots. First and foremost understand I'm not critiquing. I dont kkow her just looking at the video. Watch her peek at the ball and pull it after . She wants to be perfect and it slows her down. Her head is too loud

I hadn't noticed the "peek". Thank you. I will look to see if this is something that she always does, or not.

One thing costing her a little time is that her throwing hand loops down after her transfer, which lengthens her hand path, and costs a little time on her release. Interestingly, she doesn't do this from her knees, which leads me to think that the extra hand path is a compensation waiting for her lower body to be in the right sequence. It's something we are looking at very closely with her instructor.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
Correct however if she can gain 6in on transfer thats to her benefit. Gain a foot and its a huge win. Ive worked with catchers who added 3 ft. You also get the added benefit of forward momentum. That side momentum is a leak'

It's only a benefit if there is no time lost in getting rid of the ball. From what I have seen, getting the right foot planted as quickly as possible is a big factor in getting the throw away as quickly as possible. A slower release time is hard to make up for with velocity.
 
May 6, 2015
2,397
113
Pop time. Glove to glove. Knees or feet. Whichever is faster is best. Period.


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agreed, unless there is a mechanical issue with one or the other. DD started getting shoulder soreness when she started training on throwing from knees, we are going to look at it with her instructor, no knee throwing (at least to second, still for 1B though) for now.
 
May 23, 2015
999
63
I hadn't noticed the "peek". Thank you. I will look to see if this is something that she always does, or not.

One thing costing her a little time is that her throwing hand loops down after her transfer, which lengthens her hand path, and costs a little time on her release. Interestingly, she doesn't do this from her knees, which leads me to think that the extra hand path is a compensation waiting for her lower body to be in the right sequence. It's something we are looking at very closely with her instructor.
Unfortunately and fortunately I'm good at catching mistakes with catcher's. I've dealt with thousands of them.

Her arm path is very clean when she's from her knees because her brain will not let her drive that hand into the ground. She's being forced to be correct. When she goes to her feet mom and dad are out of town, and party is at Eric's house. She can do whatever she pleases. Again it's a very easy fix. You just have to get the bug out of her head.

Catchers are like watches. They have tiny little screws and every one of them needs to be tightened and loosened. I can tell you some of the craziest stories but I just don't have the time.
 
May 23, 2015
999
63
Here's a great video that will illustrate what im talking about . Watch molinas head. Its very quiet regardless of pitch location or level of difficulty. Even after the throw his eyes are beaming at the bag. A catchers brain knows exactly where that balls going the second it leaves the pitchers hand. Learning how to trust that intuition if very very tough. It makes the difference in good and very good. Theres a huge advantage in fastpitch because a catcher can visualize 2nd and see the pitcher at the same time. Get her to stare right through on a string
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
Here's a great video that will illustrate what im talking about . Watch molinas head. Its very quiet regardless of pitch location or level of difficulty. Even after the throw his eyes are beaming at the bag. A catchers brain knows exactly where that balls going the second it leaves the pitchers hand. Learning how to trust that intuition if very very tough. It makes the difference in good and very good. Theres a huge advantage in fastpitch because a catcher can visualize 2nd and see the pitcher at the same time. Get her to stare right through on a string


This was from a team practice session a little while back (not full speed work, just starting to shake off some rust with her new team). Her head is much quieter. Field work vs. cage work.
 
May 7, 2015
842
93
SoCal
I think that what is often overlooked in pop time is the ability of the catcher to move (if necessary) to receive the ball slightly to the throwing side as close to the shoulder as possible. If it's a pitch down low, stay down and receive the ball near the throwing shoulder. If it's up, stand and receive ball nearest the shoulder. Makes no sense to stand and receive the ball at knee level to throw from your feet. Vice versa for a pitch up in the strike zone.

The same applies for lateral movement.. A pitch away from throwing side or out past the throwing shoulder needs lateral movement of the catcher to best receive the ball.

Velocity doesn't matter, getting the ball to 2B quickest is best. Some catchers will be fastest by taking time for velocity, some will be quicker by fast release. I've seen both.

Also, that Paige Halstead pop time from knees is 1.59!
 

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