Infield arm action

Infielders need to be able to throw from different arm angles. It would take a long time to describe every play and the throwing action best in each case. Thing to keep in mind is the arm does what the feet allow. It’s all about the feet!

High ¾ to over hand is best on most plays because it will create LESS movement (running/sinking) on the throw. Also makes the balls thrown in the dirt bounce straighter and easier to catch.

However, when charging or going left it can be too time consuming and awkward so lower 3/4 , sidearm and even lower are the best approach. DPs are much more about foot work than arm angle. The feet work to allow the best throwing action and angle just as they do on most plays.

Bottom line… To be one of the best, you need to have the ability to maintain body control and throw accurately with something on it from different arm angles. The actual am action is equally important as the arm angle (but another topic) 90% of a 3B or SS throws are best at HTQ or higher with out a long arm stroke.

“Redbird” might be one to jump in and add something. He has real good knowledge about this subject.

PG I don't know if anybody needs to jump in much here. Your last paragraph pretty much says it straight.
Practice under all situations throwing at different angles, but work hard on staying under control. Good foot work will allow the player to make a consistenly good throw.

njbbdad,

I firmly believe IFs must be able to throw from anywhere but it all starts from basically the same position...the high 3/4 arm slot. I teach my kids to throw from anywhere. After warming up and long tossing, I allow our IFs to experiment with different arm angles so they can execute the throws in game situations.

While the release point may change relative to height off the ground, it is usually from a position fairly close to the high 3/4 arm slot. The one thing that differs is the bend in the waist (or spine angle).

Most people see DP feeds from the SS and think they throw from their shoetops...BUT...if you watch a good feed, it is merely taking the ball out of the glove from the fielding position, staying low and throwing from the same arm slot as a regular groundball. The difference is the spine angle.

PGStaff mentioned feet...I agree wholeheartedly. Look at clips of Ozzie Smith. I loved him because he had avg-below avg arm strength but is considered one of the best fielding SS's of all time. Why? Footwork. His feet were incredible. He would set up his throws as he was catching the ball and would release it immediately ...always beating the runner by a step.

quote:

Originally posted by redbird5:

Most people see DP feeds from the SS and think they throw from their shoetops...BUT...if you watch a good feed, it is merely taking the ball out of the glove from the fielding position, staying low and throwing from the same arm slot as a regular groundball. The difference is the spine angle.

Redbird, I think you are right on regarding DP feeds. If your spine is at a 45 degree angle to the ground, a 3/4 arm slot looks like sidearm, but actually isn't.

I only want to add that, however the initial throw is made on a DP, the ball should be going uphill, going low to chest high.

Mike F

I teach my middle infielders to throw 3/4 to over the stop on normal groundballs. Slow rollers and a few other situations may be a little different.

On DP pivots, I teach to throw it where you caught it. So, if the ball is received down, throw it more sidearm. If it is up, throw it more overhand. This will help in the speed of the transition when turning the DP.

The most important thing I remind my players when throwing is keeping the fingers behind the ball no matter where the arm angle is.

when it comes down to it, if they can't make the high 3/4 throw, they don't have to worry much about the other throwing positions, b/c they won't be playing the IF much!