05-31-2008, 01:51 PM
Throws to second base.
I will address two types of throwing footwork: jump pivot and load and throw. Each type will be determined by the location of the pitch and the arm strength of the individual.
If a ball is thrown right down the middle of the plate or towards the forehand, a catcher that does not possess great arm strength will utilize the jump pivot. The jump pivot allows for a quicker release and is recommended for catchers with quick hands and a lack of great arm strength. The catcher will quickly shift their feet from parallel to second base to perpendicular to second base. The catcher will not move toward the right handed hitter or away from the left handed hitter. If the catcher is right handed, his back (right) foot will end up where their left foot was. The front foot will end up in a direct line to second base. The catcher’s hips and shoulders will be in a direct line to second base. A common error is for the catcher to move towards the pitcher and fall off balance. The catcher should assume a pole running through the middle of their body. They want to shift around the pole, not spin away from the pole. Another key is to make sure the catcher does not stand straight up their first movement. Stay low and in a strong, athletic position. This will assist the catcher in staying on top of the baseball and throwing downhill toward the base.
If a ball is thrown right down the middle of the plate or towards the backhand, a catcher who possesses arm strength will utilize the load and throw. Catch the baseball while shifting weight to the back leg. Again, the catcher must square the body to second base. The catcher must still utilize a quick mitt to hand exchange with the baseball and stay low to the ground in a strong, athletic position. The catcher must get into a position where weight is on the back leg and the shoulders are squared to second base. If the alignment is off, or the catcher has already stood up, the power that they possess in their throwing arm is lost.
It is important to mention at this time that a catcher must be proficient at both skills. The location of the baseball will dictate which footwork to use. The only exception is on a ball thrown to the middle of the catcher’s body. On this throw, the catcher will determine which throwing footwork will be best for them.
Throws to third base.
A catcher can utilize three methods of throwing to third base. They can take a jab step towards the backhand, throw over a right handed hitter, or shuffle behind a right handed hitter. The location of the pitch, height of the hitter and arm strength of the catcher will determine which throw is best.
On pitches that take the catcher towards the backhand, the jab step is an appropriate throwing position. The catcher will simply take a jab step with their right foot, plant the left foot, stay low, point the hips and shoulders to third and make a strong, accurate throw. This will clear you from the hitter and give the catcher a lane to throw in.
On a pitch down the middle, the catcher can use one of two methods. First, depending on whether there is a right or left handed hitter, how tall the right handed hitter is in relation to the catcher, the catcher should simply plant his back leg, step towards third with the hips and shoulders square to the target, and throw over the top of the hitter. The object is to have a lane to throw in without the hitter getting in the way and disrupting the throw. If the hitter is taller than the catcher or the pitch takes the catcher towards the forehand side, the catcher can utilize a quick shuffle outside the hitter and create a throwing lane. Again, stay low, athletic, square the body to the base and make a strong and accurate throw to third.
Drills:
1.) Catcher with ball
The catcher starts out with the ball in their mitt. Coach will be in front of the catcher. The coach will instruct the catcher to use either the load and throw or jump pivot. The catcher will execute the footwork and throw to a partner. Make sure to work both methods of footwork.
2.) One knee partner/coach toss
Catcher at home plate. Partner or coach a few feet in front of home plate on one knee. Partner or coach will toss ball to catcher who is already in their stance. The catcher will catch the ball and execute proper throwing footwork and throw to another partner. Being on one knee and tossing the ball will allow the partner or coach to put the ball exactly where they want to work. Also, this will assist the catcher in working on both types of throwing footwork.
3.) Medium/full toss
Coach will stand halfway to or on the mound and throw pitches to the catcher who has already assumed their stance. The catcher will execute footwork determined by the pitch and throw to a partner behind the coach.
I will address two types of throwing footwork: jump pivot and load and throw. Each type will be determined by the location of the pitch and the arm strength of the individual.
If a ball is thrown right down the middle of the plate or towards the forehand, a catcher that does not possess great arm strength will utilize the jump pivot. The jump pivot allows for a quicker release and is recommended for catchers with quick hands and a lack of great arm strength. The catcher will quickly shift their feet from parallel to second base to perpendicular to second base. The catcher will not move toward the right handed hitter or away from the left handed hitter. If the catcher is right handed, his back (right) foot will end up where their left foot was. The front foot will end up in a direct line to second base. The catcher’s hips and shoulders will be in a direct line to second base. A common error is for the catcher to move towards the pitcher and fall off balance. The catcher should assume a pole running through the middle of their body. They want to shift around the pole, not spin away from the pole. Another key is to make sure the catcher does not stand straight up their first movement. Stay low and in a strong, athletic position. This will assist the catcher in staying on top of the baseball and throwing downhill toward the base.
If a ball is thrown right down the middle of the plate or towards the backhand, a catcher who possesses arm strength will utilize the load and throw. Catch the baseball while shifting weight to the back leg. Again, the catcher must square the body to second base. The catcher must still utilize a quick mitt to hand exchange with the baseball and stay low to the ground in a strong, athletic position. The catcher must get into a position where weight is on the back leg and the shoulders are squared to second base. If the alignment is off, or the catcher has already stood up, the power that they possess in their throwing arm is lost.
It is important to mention at this time that a catcher must be proficient at both skills. The location of the baseball will dictate which footwork to use. The only exception is on a ball thrown to the middle of the catcher’s body. On this throw, the catcher will determine which throwing footwork will be best for them.
Throws to third base.
A catcher can utilize three methods of throwing to third base. They can take a jab step towards the backhand, throw over a right handed hitter, or shuffle behind a right handed hitter. The location of the pitch, height of the hitter and arm strength of the catcher will determine which throw is best.
On pitches that take the catcher towards the backhand, the jab step is an appropriate throwing position. The catcher will simply take a jab step with their right foot, plant the left foot, stay low, point the hips and shoulders to third and make a strong, accurate throw. This will clear you from the hitter and give the catcher a lane to throw in.
On a pitch down the middle, the catcher can use one of two methods. First, depending on whether there is a right or left handed hitter, how tall the right handed hitter is in relation to the catcher, the catcher should simply plant his back leg, step towards third with the hips and shoulders square to the target, and throw over the top of the hitter. The object is to have a lane to throw in without the hitter getting in the way and disrupting the throw. If the hitter is taller than the catcher or the pitch takes the catcher towards the forehand side, the catcher can utilize a quick shuffle outside the hitter and create a throwing lane. Again, stay low, athletic, square the body to the base and make a strong and accurate throw to third.
Drills:
1.) Catcher with ball
The catcher starts out with the ball in their mitt. Coach will be in front of the catcher. The coach will instruct the catcher to use either the load and throw or jump pivot. The catcher will execute the footwork and throw to a partner. Make sure to work both methods of footwork.
2.) One knee partner/coach toss
Catcher at home plate. Partner or coach a few feet in front of home plate on one knee. Partner or coach will toss ball to catcher who is already in their stance. The catcher will catch the ball and execute proper throwing footwork and throw to another partner. Being on one knee and tossing the ball will allow the partner or coach to put the ball exactly where they want to work. Also, this will assist the catcher in working on both types of throwing footwork.
3.) Medium/full toss
Coach will stand halfway to or on the mound and throw pitches to the catcher who has already assumed their stance. The catcher will execute footwork determined by the pitch and throw to a partner behind the coach.