NHSA Fielding/Throwing Clinic
Proper vs. Improper throwing techniques
Examples of Poor Mechanics
Dropping the elbow
Leading with the elbow
Inside-out motion/wrapping
Shot-put/pie throwing
This throw looks like a player "flicking" the
ball with no power, speed, or accuracy
behind it.
The elbow is far ahead of the rest of the
arm which makes it look like a dragging
motion - this puts severe strain on the
elbow and shoulder.
In this throw, the arm is usually wrapped around
the head and on the forward motion it is brought
around the side of the body.
Commonly used by catchers, only the
arm is used - this throw also puts alot
of strain on the elbow, and shoulder.
WRONG!
Notice where this players arm is cocked. It's wrapped
around the back of the head which makes body
balance awkward with the ball in laid back on top of
the hand. The results are incorrect arm slot and probably
a tail on the throw
RIGHT!
Notice how the arm is in the high-cock position with the body
upright, head straight, and easily balanced. The elbow is above the
shoulder and the proper 90 degree arm slot will be used from top to
bottom with the fingers on top of the ball preventing the
unintentional slider.
Cross Legged Throwing drill
(1) Sit cross legged opposite a throwing partner (3metres),
(2) Support elbow with other hand,
(3) Make throw with wrist,
(4) Follow through with the forearm.
Purpose: To develop carry and precision through proper ball rotation.
Throwing Drill / One Knee Drill
(1) Kneel on your throwing side knee and bring ball to chest level with both hands,
(2) Transfer the ball to your throwing hand and bring ball behind and over your head,
(3) Rotate hips and point your chest at the target as you begin the throw,
(4) Grip the ball across the seams and bring the arm through with elbow above your shoulder,
(5) Complete throw with full arm extension and follow through.
Purpose: To develop and maintain proper upper-body mechanics.
Hot Potato
Split team into two equal groups (A and B) and then place them 10 meteres apart in two straight lines one
behind the other. Group A throws to group B as quickly as possible and as soon as group B player has it
they throw it back to group A. As coach watch to make sure their drop step weight transfer begins
before they receive the ball in their glove. Usually end practice with this drill as it requires focus and
concentration. Object is to try and best their previous record for number of times caught without a drop.
Once they think it’s easy start to time them and then up the ante every time so they have to get faster and
faster. Teaches footwork, quick release, teamwork and mental agility.
Outfield
Face it, at the young ages 5-12, none of better players like playing the OF. They all want to play the Inf.
The Dad who says at tryout, "my son's a SS and bats 3rd", may very well be this year, but may also be
your best OF in high school in 6 years. So what I suggest it all kids at the youngest of ages train at all the
positions.
OutField Drills
1. Elementary Tracking Skills to Judge Fly Balls 2. OF Sitting in the Hot Seat 3. OF Feetwork, Jab
step or Crossover 4. Drifting, the sin of the OF 5. Routine Ground Balls & the OF Do or Die Drill 6.
Will OF Throw to the Right Location 7. Stay on Top of Ball when Throwing. Stay Behind Ball.
Tracking to Right Line the kids up in the OF in a single line facing the coach. Have the coach say go,
the kid runs to his right, coach
throws the ball in air. Kid catches ball. Stops transitions ball out of glove to throwing hand. Front
side toward direction of throw (& closed). Relays ball to receiver standing near coach.
Tracking to Left Line the kids up in the OF in a single line facing the coach. Have the coach say go,
the kid runs to his left, coach throws the ball in air. Kid catches ball. Stops transitions ball out of
glove to throwing hand. Front side toward direction of throw (& closed). Relays ball to receiver
standing near coach.
2. OF Sitting in the Hot Seat First get a small stool or seat and place in OF. Line the kids up in the CF
in a single line facing the machine (or coach). Have the coach 'hit' high fly balls. With the kid in hot
seat, instruct the child to yell out In, Left, Back, Right, the moment he sees the flies ball. (The kids
will usually determine the flight of ball at the apex.) After a dozen of so rounds, if the kid in the hot
seat see the ball in front, have him run in to catch it. Progress up to Over Head catches, Line-Drives.
Kids Love the HOT SEAT Drill. (for very young use wiffle balls or tennis balls, or RIF balls ...which
may get chewed up in machine).. For the older boys we have used 7 1/2 balls with great success.
(For those 'wide' eyed enthusiasts, I have found that the LH do this drill more easily than the RH )
3. OF Feetwork, Jab step or Crossover, Drop Step
Demonstrate the OF feetwork, very similar (when going to right) as crossover when running bases.
(Although recent studies have show a jab step could be quicker.) Drop step for OF is easier to teach
following Hot Seat Drill just turn in direction of ball. (At the young ages, the hitters are not strong
enough for ball to spin off bat !)
4. Drifting, the sin of the OF
Most common flaw for 'new' & old players. Always sprint to location where fly ball will land. Never
ever have OF run with softball.
5. Routine Ground Balls & the OF Do or Die Drill Routine Ground Balls No Runners on base. Teach OF
to charge ground ball, breakdown & block, (one knee), keeping ball in front of body, pick, transition
and throw ball to Inf.
OF Do or Die Drill Runner in scoring position (2b) ground ball to OF. Teach OF to charge ground ball,
retrieve ball on glove hand side, pick, transition and throw ball in almost one motion.
6. OF Throws to a Base Properly & to the R ight Location
With possible two base hit to OF, get to the ball on diagonal, block ball and throw ball in to 2b
through relay (SS or 2b) as quickly as possible.
7. Stay on Top of Ball when Throwing. Stay Behind Ball. Look for even rotation. Advancing Drills for
the
10
yr
old
to
Catch
the
fly
Ball
behind
ball
to
step
up
to
throw
in one motion. (Crow Hop vs other). We work this drill with our long toss.
Tips to Improve Outfield Play
As coaches we send our outfielders onto the field with the least amount of prepartion needed for them to
be succesful. Here are some tips to get the maximum productivity out of your outfield.
1. Be mentally prepared of every situation. Before every player comes to the plate, review all possible
options; know where the hitter likes to hit the ball, know where you should throw the ball, and where to
go on your backups. Never be a spectator! There is a place for you to be on every play.
2. Know the field and weather conditions. Before the game, take a look at the outfield and identify any
hazards such as rough or bumpy ground, sprinkler heads or water drains. Before each inning, check the
wind direction, angle of the sun and conditions of the grass, Never be caught off guard when a ball takes a
bad hop, skips on wet grass, or gets caught in the sun.
3. Get signals from the middle infielders before each pitch. This will allow you to anticipate which
direction the hitter is likely to hit. But be sure not to overplay the because some hitters go against the
norm. Also know your pitcher and his/her tendencies. You can usually tell if he/she has her good stuff
that day or not.
4. Communicate with your teammates. Let each other know if you are playing deep/ shallow or pull/
opposite field, This allows you to know what adjustments need to be made on gap shots. Always call the
ball if you can make the catch, Obviously this will help avoid collisions or miscommunications ( I thought
she has it). Centerfielder needs to call out the situation to RF and LF and look to the coach for shift
signals.
5. Have a good ready position. Outfielders should be in a relaxed position and step into every pitch. This
will allow them to have their weight on the balls of their feet and ready to move in any direction. Getting
a good jump is a must for every player.
Infielder's Tips
Here's a few simple tips for infielders.
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Think about what you want to do with the ball- before the ball is pitched to the batter. Keep your
head in the game and know the situation.
Be aware and consider the speed of the batter and any baserunners. Be aware of how much time
you have. Don't panic ! If you knock a hard hit ball down and keep it front of you, you very often
will have plenty of time to make a play.
Short stop and second baseman- talk to each other! Who's covering second on a steal ? Who will
take a throw from the pitcher ? Communicate communicate, communicate!! SS is responsible for
communicating the situation and calling out the cover.
Pick up the catcher's signs and try and know what pitch is being thrown. A peel drop away to right
handed batter may mean a ball to the right side of the infield. See the ball. Watch it all the way
into your glove.
Have good body position. Try to field the ball from the middle of your body over to your glove
side.
Use the full length of your glove (heel of the glove to the finger tips) and width of your glove
(thumb to your little glove fingers). KEEP YOUR GLOVE OPEN !
Use your feet- crow hop to throw. Throw cross seam - so the ball won't tail, sink or run to the
player you are throwing to.
Stress ACCURACY on every throw.
Infielders should work on coming in on ground balls. When a ball is bouncing use two hands.
When a ball is rolling slowly you can use your bare hand.
Be sure to work on going side to side on ground balls- backhand and forehand. Don't forget the
proper foot work & balance.
Work on your double plays. Concentrate on foot work & glove hand transfer.
Work on going after fly balls-both side to side and forward & back.
During your pop-up and fly ball drills, make sure you work on shading the sun.
Again, remember to always stress throwing accuracy and proper footwork on every drill.
The Glove and Positioning
The Glove
It seems almost fundamental, but make sure that the glove being used is appropriate for the postion.
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The first baseman's glove is long and deep pocketed for one hand "picks".
The ideal glove for second base is smallish with a shallower pocket to help on making the ball
transfer on those pivot plays.
The shortstop will use a glove slightly bigger than the second baseman with finger control being
very important.
The third baseman's glove is larger yet with a deeper pocket for those one hand picks.
The overriding consideration for each position is hand size, comfort level, and aptitiude.
Fielding Position
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The standard fielding position is flexed at the knees to allow the glove to begin below the level of
the ball.
The back is relatively straight but angled slightly forward to allow the arms to hang with a slight
elbow bend and tension free. GORILLA STYLE!
The hands will accept the ball comfortably out and away from the body.
The last step before catching the ball should be left leg (for right handers) moving through for
natural transition to throwing footwork.
When first and third basemen are playing up on the grass, they will begin with a down and ready
position for better lateral reaction while short stop and second base will begin in a more upright
postion for better "hop judging" and increased perception of ball speed.
Movement on the balls of the feet is critical for a smooth approach to the ball. The first quick step
is critical.
When charging, adjust to the speed and hop of the ball. Ideally, receive the ball from the center to
the glove side of the body.
Subtle movements and soft legs mean soft hands. Keep the feet moving. If the ball hits your glove
while your body is stopped, the result is "hard hands".
Glove Action and Pre-Pitch Preparation
Let's continue with our focus on infield defense and discuss glove action, pre-pitch movement and
approach.
Glove Action
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The glove hand should be relaxed with the palm directed inward and upward.
To help extend the arms, use a slight shoveling action from under the ball.
Sometimes short hops require a strong positive forward movement through the ball.
Always use a TWO-handed approach. Do not be careless with too much style.
Strive to catch the descending hop or short hop.
Pre-Pitch Movement
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Every player needs to find and establish movement for momentum as the ball enters the hitting
zone.
As the ball enters the hitting zone, the weight becomes distributed evenly on the balls of the feet.
Be mentally prepared for the ball to be hit to either side of you and be prepared to react (down and
ready).
Experiment with techniques which increase your comfort and allow you to relax.
Approach
I cannot overemphasize the importance of footwork. Our feet are most important in successful fielding.
They not only get us to the hop we want to catch which makes are hands better, but they also get us in
position to make strong accurate throws. We judge ground balls with our eyes which relay a message to
our feet (speed up, slow down etc.).
Anticipation is key to instinct and judgement. NEVER be suprised when the ball come your way.
Anticipate the "game" before it occurs.
Coaching
Of all my initial thoughts for this clinic, I kept coming back to one of the greatest things I have found
about youth softball. It's you, the skipper of your own ballclub! You are the person who makes it all go.
You have an interest in gaining knowledge of this very complex game! And how would I come up with
that conclusion? You're here aren't you? You found your way to this clinic, you saw what a great free
resource of knowledge it was...and now here you are...reading another article by a coaching coordinator
you don't even know.
In other words, you know that knowledge will empower you to make a difference to your troops both on
and off the field...12 players at a time!
Do you recall that coach who knows everything about the game? You might have coached with or against
him this season or maybe you or your son/daughter even played for him seasons past.
Ever notice how they tend to be (let's play nice here) some of the worst coaches? Why do they even
coach? No really, why? This is the guy who would never buy a coaches book or video or read a free
article, just on the chance it could make him a better coach.
Chances are he gets his knowledge from one or both of the following:
-When he played youth sports; and that career may have been skewed over a few decades.
-Watching Big League ball on TV; now he wants to teach children the methods of the best in the world!
Rest Assured...You will always have a fighting chance to be the best you can be simply by seeking
knowledge. This is a game of a million small pieces. Being chronic and consistent in this search will lead
you closer to the Holy Grail. Never stop learning or seeking better ways to coach.
Winning will be a bi-product of your good habits and the knowledge you gain!
So, when a parent rants, and losses pile up, have the confidence to know...you are learning on the job and
will continue to gain knowledge. I have always thought I may never be a worse coach than I am
today...and yeah man, I'm not too bad right now! There's no difference between you and me. So, don't
doubt it...You're a better coach than you think!
Thank you for allowing me your time and attention.