Ive always taught the lead foot down at a 45 degree angle when throwing, but a parent said to point it at the object? which is right? also any suggestions on how to get them to transfer their weight correctly? we do the knee drill and have them end up with throwing hand on opposite hip at finish and glove tucked under glove hand shoulder. we also do wrist isolation. are there any other drills good 4 teaching throwing mechanics that anyone would recommend? also when throwing should you point glove at target or glove hand elbow then glove at target before throwing?
throwing mechanics
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- Sep 3, 2009
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I'm no expert, just a fairly recent softball dad and assistant LL coach. I agree with the 45 degree foot angle and I always teach pointing with the glove arm elbow rather than the glove since it makes for a faster catch and release as opposed to pointing with the glove. Just my unprofessional thoughts. =)
I think pointing the toe exactly at the target would be awkward, the important thing to remember is to make sure the stride is toward the target regardless of the degree the foot is turned. Regarding pointing the glove or not, I teach point the glove but really its more about getting the shoulders aligned with the target so whether the glove actually points or not is not really the objective.
When teaching how to throw we take a piece of electric tape and using a four seam grip wrap a piece of tape around the circumference of the ball. This way when they are throwing the ball you can see if they are pulling down to put more spin on the ball and if they released it correctly.
To teach what it feels like to shift their weight we do the following. Get their batters stance by bending at the waist first and then softening the knees in that order. Do a simple knee cock with the front foot so the weight transfers inside the back leg. Now have them simply step forward with the lead foot leg at 45 degrees and land on the ball of the foot on a FLEXED or slightly bent knee. The is very important! Now have her break her ball hand down and out of the glove so the throwing elbow will be up and then continue to circle up with the ball and start to come over the shoulder and stop. Now remove the ball from their hand and grasp the index and social finger of the ball hand. Gently pull on the fingers and they will either follow forward or will resist you. If they resist make sure they are on the ball of the foot and the knee is bent and tell them to think their nose is going over their toes and you should be able to guide them around verses pulling them forward. It is usually a break through moment for the girls as this is the number one reason they throw like girls and have no weight shift for hitting.
The next item to add is the lead elbow points rather than the glove and we tuck the glove in under the arm. This is a basic martial arts move and you can simulate it by standing lead foot to lead foot and inter locking the finger tips of the glove hand and as you throw, coming over your shoulder you tuck/ pull the other person so they actually move towards your arm pit area. They will feel the force of your arm tucking in. This will usually add about 3 to 5 MPH on your throws. Check it yourself with a radar gun and do a before and after.
Thanks Howard
- Jul 28, 2008
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Do not point the toe towards the target. Leave the foot around 45 degrees. Pointing the toe towards the target opens up the hips, which then opens up the shoulders and creates bad mechanics and will create shoulder problems down the line. It also puts you off balance for your throw.
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Shock Coach If both toes were pointed towards the first baseman as a right handed hitter would that be considered 90 degrees? Then would the pitcher being in front of you be 0 degrees? Then would lets say the second base mans normal playing position would be about 45 degrees? Is it a typo that you have 4 degrees?
You can feel the diminishing degree of power loss by standing belly button to belly button with someone and holding their shoulders as they attempt to rotate the shoulders with the lead foot pointed at 90 degrees. You will feel the power in the hips with them somewhat closed. Now repeat with the front foot pointed towards the pitchers and they will not be able to move their shoulders and they will feel the leverage in the lead hip is gone.
I worked with Lovie in May of last year in Modesto doing a clinic and showed her the throwing technique as described and she felt the difference immediately and I had learned it from Deb Hatrwig in 2004. Deb is a former CSF catcher and runs a softball school in LA I think.
Thanks Howard
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- Jul 28, 2008
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TYPO should read 45 degrees.
- Oct 12, 2009
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Wrist isolation is a waste of time.
- Oct 12, 2009
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This thrower is demonstrating a very common, but wrong, arm position, which is why you don't see it in high-level athletes.
First, her back elbow is too high, which can lead to shoulder problems. It also doesn't have any impact on arm slot, which is usually the stated goal.
Second, she's showing the ball to 2B/CF, which can lead to elbow problems. Lots of people teach showing the ball to 2B/CF, but nobody can explain why.
Third, I don't teach a 45 degree back foot. I teach a 90 degree back foot, which puts you sideways to the target. It's also what the demonstrator actually, and instinctively, does at 6:22.
That's why no good athletes (including the demonstrator, see 6:10) actually throw this way.
Unfortunately, Candrea's just parroting the conventional wisdom about throwing, which is largely wrong.
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Chris I agree and Lovie and I even talked about it as I have 14 year old girls who throw 60 plus now. This is why we teach throwing first at the clinics. Not sure if you know Deb Hartwig and she comes out of the glove ball down elbow up and you can see more of the back of the hand as you come up and over and finish to the glove side thigh. When I do not see a weight shift in the throwing mechanics I do not see proper throwing mechanics and I wonder how they get to 12 to 14 years old without knowing how! The girls lack the neuro muscular skills of throwing , jumping and landing and the sad part is the effect is cumulative and it manifests itself when they are 18 to 24 years old.
I am trying to remember if Mikes DVD was dated 2005 and I do not remember however he was given crap about it.
Thanks Howard
