Faster throws

nixxy311,

Including all of the great replies already, here's a YouTube video from the Ripken brothers for you to consider.

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

Slow the process down & break it into simple-to-understand stages. Like slap-hitting, the upper body & lower body will be simultaneously performing separate motions. You're challenge is to eventually "feel" those into one smooth, quick reaction.

Consider using softies to start the process, as they don't hurt if misplayed.

As in the catching position, learning to "receive" the ball closer to the core, will eventually allow you a quicker transfer & release because the arms will not have had to extend quite as far in order to catch the ball.

Spinning two at 2 is an advanced skill at first-year 12's. It's a nice challenge, and you should absolutely work with your daughter on it. However, in the process you may consider the importance of her basic skills & mechanics at middle infield, prior to more advanced situations.

nixxy311 said:

Any drills to make her throw faster? She's always concerned a fast throw won't be as accurate.
They are working on it at practice but I'd love to find a way to improve it outside of her regular practices.

Thanks!

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The best information on throwing mechanics can be found here....High Level Throwing -

The best throwing drill there is - The Water Bottle Drill...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_DenQJcTg0&list=PLLo_t691U8DU0KOJlBAd6fFj0a2tbPEk3&index=7
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Un8inw4Ry_Q&index=5&list=PLLo_t691U8DU0KOJlBAd6fFj0a2tbPEk3

quincy said:

IMO double plays are unusual in SB. Worth working on but do not get your hopes up.

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This is true, but what you are really working on is footwork and the transfer which transcends the DP.

You seem to work on one thing while all along you are working on something else.

Here's a good video. Footwork a smooth transfer is key.
https://youtu.be/QKepeD8jcno

Certainly worth working on but I wouldn't stress about it being a primary concern. That said, one of my favorite "drills" for this is simply playing catch while making transfers and throws as quickly as possible.

Biggest issues are that softball are much bigger than baseballs and girls hands are much smaller than mens. Guys, we just took the ball and threw it. Lately I have been hearing the direction of "take the ball out of the top of the glove", so as the transfer is happening, the glove hand is rotating in the same motion as if you were checking your watch. It takes a bunch of repeating for girls to pull the ball out and not drop or flip it out of the glove into the throwing hand.

nixxy311 said:

DD plays SS and they are really working on trying to turn double plays this season (this is her first season playing 12U). If it's hit towards 2nd, she is supposed to get the ball at 2nd and then throw 1 but her issue is that she's taking way too long to get the ball out of her glove to throw. Any drills to make her throw faster? She's always concerned a fast throw won't be as accurate.
They are working on it at practice but I'd love to find a way to improve it outside of her regular practices.

Thanks!

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What size glove is she using? A lot of MIF prefer a smaller glove for quicker transfers. Work on her arm strength and a quick release. Throwing hard does not do any good with a long release that gives the runner two extra steps to the bag...

mmeece said:

Certainly worth working on but I wouldn't stress about it being a primary concern. That said, one of my favorite "drills" for this is simply playing catch while making transfers and throws as quickly as possible.

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I do see them doing that during warm ups

Eric F said:

They are? Less frequent than the slow game called "baseball", but I see DPs fairly regularly. My recent favorite was my DD's team turning a 1-5-3 to end a tournament game.

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Always like the unusual ones (not the typical 6-4-3 or 4-6-3s). Ours had a 5-3-2 the other day to get out of an inning (mine's the "2" in the equation).

(Sorry, that doesn't help the discussion. This is 14U, not 12U, but we see them at least once or twice a weekend it seems.)

Andy S said:

Always like the unusual ones (not the typical 6-4-3 or 4-6-3s). Ours had a 5-3-2 the other day to get out of an inning (mine's the "2" in the equation).

(Sorry, that doesn't help the discussion. This is 14U, not 12U, but we see them at least once or twice a weekend it seems.)

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We are 12U TB, and the girls turn DPs every game or two. My favorite DP is the bases-loaded 6-2-3. That said, when F2 throws the ball over F3's head, and 2 or 3 runs score, it can be a heart-breaker. That's happened more often that I would like to admit.