lower half closed or open on throws to 2nd?

I think it is kind of like batting. You start with everything closed, but as the swing or in this case the throw starts it opens up and generates velocity on the throw.

The catcher gets up in his throwing position and has his weight on his back leg more than his front. Then the hand start which is then followed by the leg driving the catcher forward, next the hips exploding open, both generating power, followed by the release and follow through.

good point, however, if front foot starts closed it causes the following to happen during the throw: front hip pushes out to the side and front leg locks, also causes upper body to go side to side.

the direction im going with this post is that the strongest throw from a position player should come from a right fielder. if you break down his throwing motion as he releases the ball -- im not talking about crow hopping, just the position his body is in--- you will see that his hips are more open then closed and the foot position is actually open. i believe this is why outfield throws have more carry and are straight and generate the most velocity.

So in general do you think that you would get more power and velocity on the throw if the front foot and hip are open?

Similar to a pitcher with the front foot and hip open when the front foot hits the ground.

absolutely! i was down in tampa over a weekend in early january to work with one of my catchers and we spent about 10 hours doing drills, discussion and video. lower half has to be slightly open in order for the hips to stay underneath yourself and allow arm to take straight path to target. when front foot is closed, the arm has to come around due to the front side pulling to the side. its very difficult for the ball to stay true when front foot is closed because the upper body is fighting the lower half. the upper body needs to be closed to create leverage and to allow the arm to take a straight path to the target. i dont think the lower half needs to be closed off, rather the weight just needs to stay on the back leg and shift to the front as you are about to release the ball.

for a drill to kind of feel what im getting at, try to do the footwork as a catcher (will probably assume the picture pose), then go through the mechanics of a throw from the outfield by using a crow hop. the crow hop is simply an overexaggerated way to load up and fire off the back leg. but, try to combine both. try to crow hop and land with your lower half closed up or even your front foot closed... feels very awkward.

the arm speed is shorter and quicker from a catchers throw because time is of the essence. a lot of throws to second will tail when the distance is 120 feet, yet a throw from the outfield has more carry and remains straight (for the most part) at a distance of 150-180 feet with higher velocities.

this leads into a past thread of mine, which do you want to happen first.. the transfer, the feet, or both at the same time?

This is an interesting concept, from the coaches I have had they have never brought up this point, but it makes sense and sounds like it will really help the velocity of the throw as well as help the catcher develop that illusive straight throw that is need to move to the next level.

Would this also make the throw quicker because the throw would be more fluent and smoother?

to be quicker, you have to not focus on the feet.. focus on transfer and keeping your hips underneath you and letting the upper body close.. once you transfer you are ready to throw but are waiting for your feet to get underneath you... instead of feet go too fast and now your fumbling with the grip and the arm is dragging and the weight is already on the front foot.

once the front foot lands, its your bodys way of saying "throw now" so we shouldnt be in a picture pose.. we should be in the process of having the arm start to come forward and our weight starting to transfer..

I worked with a former pitcher for the Texas Rangers a couple years ago who used to play with Ivan Rodriguez. He told me Pudge said he steps towards second with his foot and hip open. It helped him stay on line.

You can see this in other major league catchers too, and they're obviously doing something right.

I completely agree that the front side should stay slightly open in the "power position". I think the kids at these camps are taught, like most of the catchers I've met in my life, to transfer by bringing their glove to their ear. Obviously this would close of your front shoulder, and it makes sense to the kids to close of their lower half as well.

Most big league catchers, especially Pudge, transfer out in front of their bodies giving them the ability to keep their front side open.

quote:

Originally posted by dutch2.2:
I completely agree that the front side should stay slightly open in the "power position"....
Most big league catchers, especially Pudge, transfer out in front of their bodies giving them the ability to keep their front side open.

The front side has to be closed, otherwise kids will go side to side with arm action and the ball will tail.. the lower half is slightly open but the front side (lat, glove arm and front shoulder) are closed.

Transfer is about timing, if you transfer out in front the arm will drag.. if you transfer close and allow the front side to come with it, then the point of exchange will take place off the throwing shoulder.. if feet go first then the timing is off... when the front foot lands, it basically means throw now.

Pitch location determines alot of the transfer location. Personally believe a catcher has to be able to transfer both out front and close.

Throwing hand location can mess up transfer timing as much as footwork.