Clip of Catcher Throwing to 3rd

[catchingcoach]

I was asked in another post to show the footwork for the throw to 3rd.

The goal is to slide the right foot back and past the left heel just so the right foot clears the left heel.

http://s115.photobucket.com/albums/n294 ... evised.flv


As you watch her feet notice she just clears her left heel, then she makes sure the instep of her right foot is turned towards her target. This helps to allow her front side to close properly.

Watch how she keeps her hands away from her body and exchanges out front so that her front side is directly inline with her back side as she begins her throw.

[Kat]

I dont want to pick anyone apart and of course I dont know the age of this girl. But wouldnt you stay lower to make this?? It seems the standing up would make it slower to throw down. Would a simple exchange of feet down low and throw work more efficiently. Just curious as that is what we have been told?

[catchingcoach]

I dont want to pick anyone apart and of course I dont know the age of this girl. But wouldnt you stay lower to make this?? It seems the standing up would make it slower to throw down. Would a simple exchange of feet down low and throw work more efficiently. Just curious as that is what we have been told?

Kat,

Great question, I get asked it all the time. I put this post up here to try and encourage some discussions about catching mechanics. These forums are all full with posts about hitting mechanics and pitching mechanics. Just trying to get people sharing what they have been taught or what they teach and exchange some ideas t help the girls.

First off the young lady is 16 yr old, 5'5" tall.

The question of lower always comes up because people think that "standing up" takes more time then "staying low". A few issues with that.

a. What is gained by staying lower???

b. How are kids taught to "stay lower" are they told to bend their knees to "get lower" are they told to drop their butt in a squat to "stay lower"

I am just not sure how to tell someone to throw by "staying lower"

c. Your suggestion of a simple exchange of feet down low and throw work more efficiently Do you mean by this have her right foot go straight across and exchange places with the left and then throw? Please clarify the technique you are referring to.

[Kat]

Yes I guess that is probably what I am saying. DD is in colorado so I cannot really ask her she is the catcher i am just hte mom..LOL

She has always been told to stay low, but to be honest her tendancy is to stand up. She has worked with a catching coach a few times but not on a regular basis, I am always open to more information I can pass along to her.

[kingskid]

I guess this would be fine if it was a pitch out on a girl stealing 3rd. You would never be able
to pick a girl off at 3rd. She is standing up behind the plate who is going to be suprised she is throwing?
I would like to see her pick off move, her release time. there is nothing in this video about speed to 3rd.

[artomatic]

how do you throw around a righthanded batter in the box?

[catchingcoach]

I guess this would be fine if it was a pitch out on a girl stealing 3rd. You would never be able
to pick a girl off at 3rd. She is standing up behind the plate who is going to be suprised she is throwing?
I would like to see her pick off move, her release time. there is nothing in this video about speed to 3rd.

Kingskid,

The mechanics shown are the mechanics used for a steal of 3rd, I should have indicated that in the original post. Her pick-off throw is usually done from her knees. I do not have a clip of that at this time. I will say though that I have many students that pick runners off third using their regular throw to 3rd mechanics.

I do not post release times or velocities. My goal in offering the clips is to get folks engaged in discussions about catchers mechanics, a very underdiscussed topic.

[catchingcoach]

how do you throw around a righthanded batter in the box?

Artomatic,

The footwork shown is for a throw with a righthanded batter in the box. If there was a batter in the box the catcher would adjust how deep the right foot would drop to clear the back hip of the batter.

Any other questions just let me know.

Coach W