When teaching your IF to use their backhand which foot do you want forward on the catch?
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Depends on the type of backhand needed to field the ball. There are 4-5 different backhands that I teach my fielders. Some have the left foot forward, some have the right foot forward.
That's basically what I'm talking about on which foot is forward on which backhand. I pretty much teach 3 backhands.
1. A "normal" backhand where it's not difficult to get to but you wouldn't be in a position to round it and create momentum. In this one I teach right foot forward.
2. Do or die backhand where you are pretty much catching the ball while moving. We tell them to try and catch the ball with right foot forward but practice left foot forward in case that is how their feet end up.
3. Medium / slow speed groundball in front. In this one it's only for our 3B and SS to help them create momentum towards first. They approach the ball and plant right foot hard and use it to push off at a 90ish degree angle towards first but use the backhand motion to help get the glove up to a throwing transfer position better / quicker.
Overall we want our guys to backhand with right foot forward because it allows them to keep their shoulders open more to see the ball better. With left foot forward then it closes the shoulders where they have to work harder to see the ball although it does allow for more reach.
1. A "normal" backhand where it's not difficult to get to but you wouldn't be in a position to round it and create momentum. In this one I teach right foot forward.
2. Do or die backhand where you are pretty much catching the ball while moving. We tell them to try and catch the ball with right foot forward but practice left foot forward in case that is how their feet end up.
3. Medium / slow speed groundball in front. In this one it's only for our 3B and SS to help them create momentum towards first. They approach the ball and plant right foot hard and use it to push off at a 90ish degree angle towards first but use the backhand motion to help get the glove up to a throwing transfer position better / quicker.
Overall we want our guys to backhand with right foot forward because it allows them to keep their shoulders open more to see the ball better. With left foot forward then it closes the shoulders where they have to work harder to see the ball although it does allow for more reach.
I teach 2 types of backhands - the crossover and the "v" cut (or declared).
In the crossover, it is a ball you can barely get to. You catch it with your left foot closest to the ball (hence, the crossover). With this you give with the hands, plant with your right foot, and throw to 1B.
In the "v" cut, you can get to the ball but can't create any positive momentum toward 1B. You will catch this ball with your right foot closest to the ball and rock with your weight from your back (right foot) to your left (front) foot and your hands have the same action. It is called a "v" cut because your path to the ball is a "v" shape relative to the path of the GB.
In the crossover, it is a ball you can barely get to. You catch it with your left foot closest to the ball (hence, the crossover). With this you give with the hands, plant with your right foot, and throw to 1B.
In the "v" cut, you can get to the ball but can't create any positive momentum toward 1B. You will catch this ball with your right foot closest to the ball and rock with your weight from your back (right foot) to your left (front) foot and your hands have the same action. It is called a "v" cut because your path to the ball is a "v" shape relative to the path of the GB.
In addition to what you guys have allready described, We like to work in a diving drill a couple of times a week early in the year essentially for a change of pace. We usually do this in three steps.Step 1. We have the players go through a dry run and start them in a kneeling position with them on their throwing side knee. The player then dives for an imaginary ball and has to recover and simulate a throw. Step 2. We use tennis balls from about 15-20 feet and work both sides from the kneeling position. We use tennis balls so the player can concentrate on technique. After they become adept from the kneel, we then move them to their usual fielding position and will eventually move into using baseballs. If it's a good day we will hit balls to them from about 45 feet and have them work all the way through to the throw.
We reinforce that there are only two reasons for diving at a ball, 1) when the situation demands that the ball be knocked down to stop a runner in scoring position from advancing and perhaps prevent that run from scoring. 2) If we have a realsitic chance of making a play to throw a runner out.
We reinforce that there are only two reasons for diving at a ball, 1) when the situation demands that the ball be knocked down to stop a runner in scoring position from advancing and perhaps prevent that run from scoring. 2) If we have a realsitic chance of making a play to throw a runner out.
Here are the various backhands I teach with my players. Some of these will be hard to describe using words (it is easier to show using video), but I will try my best.
These plays are all determined by the type of groundball and the speed of the runner:
"Routine Backhands"
- Rake Backhand (V-Cut) As mentioned it is fielded with shoulders squared off to ball and off the right foot. Ball is then "raked" by glove hand to create momentum towards first base. The rake sets the feet.
- Regular backhand Fielded with left foot forward. Create tempo and rhythym with feet. I teach skip, field, plant, throw. Once the players get the footwork down, boy does it look smooth!
Then we have the "playmaker" backhands. These balls are further to the right in the hole (all of these are left foot forward):
1. Ball fielded with left foot forward. Dip the back knee and drive towards first base.
2. Same as #1, but this time we shuffle back through for the throw. Usually we will have time for this play if we have a slower runner.
3. For a ball deeper in the hole we will field, step, step, plant, throw.
4. Same as #3, but this time we do a Jump Throw (ala Jeter).
We also teach and work on dives, etc.
The main thing emphasized is bend the knees and get the butt and hips low (don't bend at the waist). Get the glove open early to the ball and get the glove on the ground. Then when we throw, we want accuracy.
Now, when I say accuracy, I don't necessarily mean chest high all the time to the first basemen. I mean a throw accurately to the bag. That could mean bouncing the ball, but it must be a throw that the first basemen should be able to handle (catch, scoop, etc.).
We teach the mechanics of these plays day in day out until it becomes natural, but most of the time we simply tell our infielders to be athletic and make the play.
These plays are all determined by the type of groundball and the speed of the runner:
"Routine Backhands"
- Rake Backhand (V-Cut) As mentioned it is fielded with shoulders squared off to ball and off the right foot. Ball is then "raked" by glove hand to create momentum towards first base. The rake sets the feet.
- Regular backhand Fielded with left foot forward. Create tempo and rhythym with feet. I teach skip, field, plant, throw. Once the players get the footwork down, boy does it look smooth!
Then we have the "playmaker" backhands. These balls are further to the right in the hole (all of these are left foot forward):
1. Ball fielded with left foot forward. Dip the back knee and drive towards first base.
2. Same as #1, but this time we shuffle back through for the throw. Usually we will have time for this play if we have a slower runner.
3. For a ball deeper in the hole we will field, step, step, plant, throw.
4. Same as #3, but this time we do a Jump Throw (ala Jeter).
We also teach and work on dives, etc.
The main thing emphasized is bend the knees and get the butt and hips low (don't bend at the waist). Get the glove open early to the ball and get the glove on the ground. Then when we throw, we want accuracy.
Now, when I say accuracy, I don't necessarily mean chest high all the time to the first basemen. I mean a throw accurately to the bag. That could mean bouncing the ball, but it must be a throw that the first basemen should be able to handle (catch, scoop, etc.).
We teach the mechanics of these plays day in day out until it becomes natural, but most of the time we simply tell our infielders to be athletic and make the play.
Thanks for all the imput guys. I was a catcher by trade and took over the IFs when I became head coach 9 years ago because I had a good catching coach. The backhand is something that I have always had the most trouble teaching.