|
or Click on Back Button to Return to
Prior Page
BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL
*** PRACTICE DRILLS ***
THROWING
The Basics/Have a Catch:
Grip the ball across the seams in what is
called the four seam grip. Smaller hands should use three fingers instead of
two. The thumb and two (or three) other fingertips should be resting on the
seams. (The fingers that rest on the seams should be across the "C" formed by
the seams of the ball.)
Also there should be a space between the
ball and the palm, the ball should not be touching the palm.
Turn sideways with the front shoulder
toward the target. Extend the throwing arm back and raised at about the level
of the shoulder. The weight should shift to the back foot. Point the mitt at
the target and stride with the front toward the target, releasing the ball once
the throwing arm has extended forward. Bring the back foot forward and the body
into the ready position.
Throw fast not hard. Imagine throwing a
snowball fast. If you try to throw hard you create tension, which ultimately
restricts the free fluid motion you need.
The most basic drill is simply to have a
catch. This is especially important before each practice and game. Building
arm strength is accomplished by having a long distance catch -- some call it
"long toss."
Many thanks to the Berkeley Carroll
Varsity Baseball Team and their coach, Walter Paller, for providing these
instructional tips.
[Back to
Top]
Throwing Drill:
Roll as many pairs of socks into balls as you can find. Pick a target on a wall
between 15’ and 25’ away and throw from the kneeling position shown in the
pictures. The key is to extent the front leg out toward the target and bring
the throwing arm down and around in circular motion. This is an exercise used
and taught by baseball’s all-time lefty save leader and Brooklyn native John
Franco of the Mets.
The Goal
Develop a fluid rhythmical throwing motion while learning to get a fuller
extension back of the throwing arm.
Point the non-throwing arm at the target and imagine the
flight path of the ball to a spot on the target before starting the motion.
[Back to Top]
| 
78th Precinct Youth Council 
