Where to put throwing hand?

[jofus13]

Just curious Slugger, was it behind the glove when it got hit (maybe on a tip off the ground or something), or was she pulling it out from behind the mitt, say getting ready to throw out a baserunner, and the batter tipped it (or she just missed the ball, or whatever)?

I'm just asking, because the same thing could happen if the hand is down behind the leg, if she starts moving the hand away from the position too early. My DD got hit on the end of the thumb in just that way last year, she had it down behind her leg, and moved it out too early because a girl was stealing, and the batter tipped it slightly. Nothing was broken, but a 50ish mph pitch right on the end of the thumb didn't feel too good (it didn't look too good for a week or 2, either).

 

[sluggers]

I'm not sure how it happened. She was learning the "behind the glove" technique in practice with a pitcher that was throwing around 55 MPH. She may have moved her hand into the glove too early, or she may have had her throwing hand too close to the glove.

In case someone is asking, "What is the correct method?", Nuveman neither puts her hand behind the glove nor behind her back nor behind her leg. She holds her right hand at glove height slightly inside her right knee. This capture was from the first US v. Japanese Olympic game with a runner at 1B.

 

[jofus13]

That pic looks like she is asking to get a broken finger or worse, to me

 

[sluggers]

We sometimes forget that Olympic athletes have abilities far beyond those of mortals. No one should teach a 12 YOA kid to mimic Nuveman on this, but I bet someone will try.

Ray

 

[radness]

A few weeks ago I attended the NFCA Coaching College on position play in St. Paul. The instructors were John Tschida of the University of St. Thomas, Bill Edwards of Hofstra University, and Allison Habetz of the University of Alabama. When they got to the catcher portion, they demonstrated the preferred technique recommended by the NFCA. It's the hand behind the shinguard. They did mention the hand behind the glove, but said the preference is behind the shinguard.

We talk a lot here about looking at what the best in the world do, and often reference MLB players. So I took a look around the Internet to see what MLB catchers do. I found that MLB catchers also put the hand behind the shinguard. I don't have all the names of the catchers since it's hard to find catchers in the receiving position by searching on them. I searched on hitters for the most part.

Here's White Sox catcher A J Pierzynski. His hand is behind the shinguard. I also have one with him hitting and someone else catching. Same thing.

Here's one with Derek Jeter hitting. I can't see exactly where the throwing hand is, but I can see where it isn't -- behind the glove. The same with this shot of Pujols hitting.

On this one of Alfonso Soriano hitting, the hand isn't behind the shinguard, but it's close. It may have been pulled out as he hit the ball.

You get the idea. I didn't find a single one with the hand behind the glove. Not saying they're out there, but I didn't find any.

Back in the day, all catchers put the hand behind the glove. Johnny Bench changed that in the early '70s. Seems like it's still the standard.

Heres an old post...
Thought it has an important discussion point.

Agree throwing hand behind the shin guard!
Just below/behind knee.
(really to the side and behind)
*Two hands to the ball when receiving pitches,+ wild and dirt, to make a play. Transition quickly in front of body. Field and Fire!


No behind the back!
Ouch rotates shoulder into arm lock position! Also Tends to take away balance.

 

[Jdaddy]

DD puts TH on outside of her thigh. She was taught behind the back early and never liked it for the reasons mentioned. I think the most important thing to do with throwing hand is tuck thumb inside of fingers in a fist.

 

[radness]

YES!
jdaddy your picture best description!
Beside Behind.
Like you added make a fist!


Ummm i kinda took a riskier ready stance with throwing hand placement.....
....but i made a fist!

 

[MikeP]

DD puts TH on outside of her thigh. She was taught behind the back early and never liked it for the reasons mentioned. I think the most important thing to do with throwing hand is tuck thumb inside of fingers in a fist.
View attachment 16098

Would you recommend this for a new catcher?

 

[Jdaddy]

Would you recommend this for a new catcher?

I would. I don’t like behind the back for balance reasons and I personally am not a fan of in the shadow of the glove. Others like it and I don’t think it’s harmful, just not what DD was taught.

 

[radness]

Would you recommend this for a new catcher?

YES