CATCHERS on the ATTACK! ...better than shark week!

Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch

Your FREE Account is waiting to the Best Softball Community on the Web.

radness

Possibilities & Opportunities!
Dec 13, 2019
7,270
113
Ok RAD, here's my youngest DD in 12u first attempts from knees in an actual game.

My wife was able to get some video of her yesterday. DD has been hesitant on doing it in a game. She's been encouraged by her coach to just go for it and try in our friendlies. In practice she can usually get it to 2B in air and on a line, but not quite on these. We were on a little league field too and seems the grass slowed the bounce up for sure. No punch outs on either of em...just bit late on the throws. :(

What do ya think? Advice?

Things I notice: not enough turn in on front right leg to get sideways and to launch position. Then not quite enough drive off back foot forward. And feet set position needs to be wider before receiving pitch.

Then in 2nd one, she should have popped to her feet with ball being high and away. I think that's the tough part for her is to let the pitch dictate which method to use on throw and just react and not think about it.




Good video!
Being left handed
Rear/back leg for her is her left leg.
She could be getting much MORE explosive drive from left leg.
Her right leg/side is doing a good job.
(good pivot forward)
In throw can see good hip rotation turning torso up to shoulders.

All in all would say
USE that left leg strength a little more. (push into ground- explode. it drives our hip rotation torso to shoulders)
Plus
BE more purposeful at the finish. Chest forward slightly more so. (little more weight transfer forward)

SNAP hard at release and finish point at target.
( think of a snake striking...snap-finish-point on purpose)

Best thing overall can see her mechanics she is working!
Organized.
👍
 
Last edited:

BigSkyHi

All I know is I don't know
Jan 13, 2020
1,385
113
Ok RAD, here's my youngest DD in 12u first attempts from knees in an actual game.

My wife was able to get some video of her yesterday. DD has been hesitant on doing it in a game. She's been encouraged by her coach to just go for it and try in our friendlies. In practice she can usually get it to 2B in air and on a line, but not quite on these. We were on a little league field too and seems the grass slowed the bounce up for sure. No punch outs on either of em...just bit late on the throws. :(

What do ya think? Advice?

Things I notice: not enough turn in on front right leg to get sideways and to launch position. Then not quite enough drive off back foot forward. And feet set position needs to be wider before receiving pitch.

Then in 2nd one, she should have popped to her feet with ball being high and away. I think that's the tough part for her is to let the pitch dictate which method to use on throw and just react and not think about it.




Maybe start having her target for the throw to be past the base rather than to the base?
 

radness

Possibilities & Opportunities!
Dec 13, 2019
7,270
113
imo
To the example above.
While creating an imaginary target
(farther away) may stimulate a different release point hence getting the ball to land/go farther. It does not address actually using the body to throw better/harder.
*The goal is really to throw at intended target all the way threw it with great throwing mechanics..

Catchers can actually throw hard enough back to the pitcher...that if the pitcher let it go, the throw would go all the way to and threw 2nd base.

imo
Work on better throwing mechaincs.
Will = Throwing speed.
Will = Accuracy.

Hitting our target is the next goal. Yes its the intended goal. However correct throwing mechanics are primary goal.

In other words...
We could teach young kids who dont have enough proper strength in mechanics to throw giant rainbows.
And reach the bases.
Still with that approach.
The mechanics will later need adjustment because we dont want giant rainbow throws.

In this reverse scenario
Some teach bounce the throw.
Which ends up needing to adjust that mechanic because there is no need to throw the ball in the dirt.

Set up a target
And throw threw it!
(not to it) THREW IT !

20170223_145832.jpg
 
Last edited:

radness

Possibilities & Opportunities!
Dec 13, 2019
7,270
113
Heres another tip about catchers throwing.

Sometimes it happens that catchers throw gently back to the pitcher.
Its a close throw so can just only use a little arm no body.
imo thats Yucky!
Should throw hard back.
Pitcher puts energy into the pitch.
Catcher puts energy back.
Energy in
Energy out

When catchers throw gently
Often they are not utilizing correct mechanics.
Creates sloppy habits.
Bad throwing habits.

Always throw with best mechanics!

Throw at a straight line back to and threw the pitchers chest.

Energy in!
Energy out!

*reminder
When coach says warm up your arms....
Its really warm up throwing which includes our body big time!
Body with arm is throwing mechanics!
 
Last edited:
Mar 6, 2016
383
63
Good points to both. Thanks.

She has the arm strength, well she has it in practice at least. She's been taught/coached to aim for a specific target right where the tag should be. Literally challenge herself to throw to where the SS would not have to move her glove much at all to make the tag. In practice she can reach it to the edge, corner point of the bag most of the time. I think this being the very first time in a game she rushed her upper half a little and did not get fully turned in upper body and lost some power in throw.

But, yes, I agree with having one specific target point and driving down at the end and snapping down.

And , to me, even a low one hop throw (which were pretty accurate to where she want to hit) is better than a high loopy throw in the air.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
42,830
Messages
679,475
Members
21,445
Latest member
Bmac81802
Top