Throwing & Catching

Pulaski Baseball Concentrated Throwing & Catching

*75% of errors in baseball are throwing errors-perfect practice makes perfect!

• Wrist Flips-Glove under elbow 
• 1-Knee (8-10 yards apart--upper body focus extend & reach)
• Stand 2 Feet Square (12 yards apart) Upper Body Rotate & Throw 
• Rock forward & back & throw Lower Body Focus
• Movement to Throws: Right/Left Throw & Follow (Body follows 2-3 steps)
• Movement to Throws: Right/Left Shuffle & Follow (Body follows 2-3 steps)
• Ball in Glove Fielding Position: Right/Left & Throw & Follow
• Ball in Glove Fielding Position: Right/Left Shuffle, Throw & Follow
• Rapid Catch/Rapid Fire (10-15 Seconds Only) - Watch Video
• Forward & Backward Throwing Off Wrong Foot
• Crow Hop Long Toss

*30 Seconds Each or 5-6 Throws & Move On--Snap & Hustle to Each New One. 

*All catching is done with both hands: receive the ball in the middle of the body. 

Add challenges, you can make it a competition. Example: No balls hit the ground, 20 throws timed, 1st group to 20 throws, etc. We want them to be focused & create urgency & pressure. Pressure throws in the game will become second nature--create an atmosphere that this is throwing & catching practice--not just warming up.  

Can Add: 

• Moving to a Forehand & Backhand Ground Ball to Throw
• Dive (Both Ways) to Pop-up to Throw
• Football Throwing (Smaller-Youth Balls)
• 1 Knee
• Square Shoulders
• Wrong Shoulder
• Forward & Backward
• 3 Step Drop (Can add patterns for fun & athleticism
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Basic Mechanics (Emphasize these things as you do “Concentrated Throwing”

• Grip: Every kid should know how to find 4 seams (fingers across the horseshoe)
• Fingers on Top of the Ball
• Separation to Power L: Smooth & Rhythmical (Small circle, thumb down & finger up)
• Power L: Show ball to shortstop, never to 2nd base (stresses shoulder & elbow)
• Elbow shoulder height
• Opposite elbow slots into side with glove hand up. Extend arm & reach toward target
• Drive off back leg, rotate, & follow through to target bringing back leg through.