foot work

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May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
I assume you're talking about straight-forward throws to 2B. The way my DD learned, and the way I teach it is to bring the right foot (RH throw) to the middle, with the foot turned so the instep is facing the target. That's the first move for the feet.

My kid does a decent job here...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivrlIDtG1C8

Some instructors teach a pop in the air and pivot 90 degrees. The problem is that you can't start your throw until you land.

Some instructors teach a "jab step" towards the target. If this can be done with the same quickness as just coming to the middle, I don't have an issue with it. Stepping forward for the purpose of gaining ground and making the throw a little shorter is not an advantage if it takes any longer to get rid of the ball. A thrown ball is travelling way faster than a body stepping forward.
 
Last edited:
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
Thanks Eric, I have twins where one wants to be a catcher and 2nd base and the other wants to try pitching.

1 pitcher and 1 catcher...NICE!! Hopefully, they get along well enough so they can help and push each other.
 
Nov 18, 2015
1,585
113
Beware the “pop”. Saw a 10U catcher do this - it seemed like she was trying to levitate. It was more of a jump and twist, and did nothing to get her body moving in the right direction.

One of those times when you see something, and you wish you could get 30 seconds with them to try and help. Of course, in these instances, you also never know if what your seeing is the result of a single lesson, or months of “well intentioned”, but poorly delivered, instruction. Hopefully still a work in progress - you can only fix so many things at once.

Correction - you can probably only fix one thing at a time!


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Mar 1, 2016
195
18
What Eric F said, and with lots of practice. LOTS of practice.

One thing DD has to do focused work on at least once a month is staying up the middle with her footwork. She sometimes gets her right foot a little too far past middle (RH catcher) when she starts her throw and it causes her body to leak over into the RH batters box. Sometimes even causes the throw to go to the wrong side of the bag a little. When she steps up the middle of the lane her throws are money. But the only way to make sure it stays that way is lots of reps and focus on hips.


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Chris Delorit

Member
Apr 24, 2016
343
28
Green Bay, WI
A nice little clip for you to take a peek at.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbHhW35Lkt8

Maybe take note of the footwork and footwork speed progression from "throwing to second standing" to "throwing to second squating" to "throwing to second receiving". There's a very small window of time to transition from a mostly square receiving position to a 90-degree power throwing position fully loaded. The footwork should be pretty self-explanatory.

Chris
 
Jan 6, 2009
6,591
113
Chehalis, Wa
A nice little clip for you to take a peek at.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbHhW35Lkt8

Maybe take note of the footwork and footwork speed progression from "throwing to second standing" to "throwing to second squating" to "throwing to second receiving". There's a very small window of time to transition from a mostly square receiving position to a 90-degree power throwing position fully loaded. The footwork should be pretty self-explanatory.

Chris

On the throw to second, he is pivoting and taking a jab step into the throw. That is what I wanted to know. Is that the best way?
 

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