Instructional Friday – Throwing Drills

Date: April 6, 2019
By: Eric Leary

The skill to catch and throw is foundational to the game of baseball.  Defensive game plans rely on the abilities of players to accurately, consistently deliver and receive the baseball.  This precision doesn’t come without a price, as players need to develop refined fundamentals and movements to execute throwing and catching the baseball.   

A few fundamental requirements have been recognized across the sport as being sound for gaining proper catch and throw techniques.  The following the movements and fundamentals are categorized by the body parts involved in the actions.

Feet – important in establishing a base for catching and throwing.

• players should move their feet to receive the ball within the frame of the body
• “take the chest to the ball”
• move feet to get into a  sound throwing position – lead shoulder/hip directed to target
• both feet forward on on receipt of the ball
• first step is with throwing hand foot – short & forward with heel toward lead foot
• inside ankle of pivot foot is aimed at the throwing target
• second step with the lead foot aligns lead shoulder and hip to target
• this is the power position –  player is in an athletic stance ready to deliver the baseball.

Hands – should work together to receive and deliver a throw.

• provide a squeeze with the fingers of glove hand to capture the ball
• secure ball with the throwing hand
• begin transition to throwing by breaking hands
• break hands with thumbs away to keep fingers between ball and player
• ball faces away from target at top of arm circle
• cock wrist back as ball is turned to travel forward to delivery
• fingers and wrist snap down on release

Grip – care should be taken in how the ball is held to provide accuracy.

• take ball from the glove with index and middle fingers across 4 seams
• thumb goes to the bottom of the ball
• hand strength impacts ability to provide a grip that supports carry and accuracy on the ball

Arm action – needs to match the needs of the throws demanded by the defensive position.

• Infielders and catchers use short and quick arm actions
• outfielders and some pitchers sometimes have long arm actions
• avoid allowing the throwing elbow to “drop” or get too close to the body
• arm action should not stop once it begins – should be smooth & continuous
• if timing is late, “short arming” will occur and impact accuracy and distance
• arm circle is at its height when the lead leg lands
• move forward to delivery is initiated by pulling the front-side arm in and to the side
• the back elbow leads the throw to the target with the ball in a cocked position

Drills to facilitate the skill

• Individual/partner – 20 touches
  • Good drill to finish a throwing session
  • Players spaced at @ 45 feet
  • Delivery and exchange accurate throws in a rapid pace
  • Be sure to work hands together –
  • Good drill to emphasize feet and arm action for infielders
  • Goal is to collectively make 20 catch & throws in least amount of time
• Group – X drill
  • 4 players in a square spaced 60 to 75 feet
  • Player A throws straight to player B
  • Player B throws diagonal to player C
  • Player C throws straight to player D
  • Player D throws diagonal to player A
  • Continue sequence to emphasize moving the feet
  • Also emphasize sound arm actions and accuracy
  • Make “reverse” all to switch straight/diagonal throw responsibilities
• Team – Box drill
  • Divide team equally to the bases on the infield
  • One player up per bag at a time
  • All players should receive the ball using both hands
  • All throws are made with players leading glove side
  • Emphasize players setting their feet to make each throw
  • Begin ball at home and throw to player at 3B
  • Ball travels clockwise around infield:  3B to 2B; 2B to 1B; 1B to home
  • Each player rotates to back of group after each throw
  • “Across” call – players delivers the ball to opposite side of diamond (forces player to reset their feet to make an accurate throw)
  • Ball continues in same clockwise path once received
  • “Reverse” call – players not deliver ball counter-clockwise around diamond (still leading with the gloveside)
  • Move players in a few steps is team has a range of skill levels to shorten throws

The ability, or inability, to consistently catch and throw the baseball is often the difference maker between a team succeeding or failing on the baseball field.  MOVE YOUR FEET!