Proper position of throwing hand in secondary position

You will get alot of differing opinions on this one. GUN places his throwing hand along side his right thigh, thumb tucked.
GED10DaD

I have heard many different things like you, but the main point that was made was that it is all about comfort and being able to get rid of the ball quick without leaving your hand out in the open. Basically saying that if you put your hand behind your glove bring it back to your chest on a swing.

redbirdjr likes his in a fist pressed against his chest protector.

Many years ago (pre-kids), I attended an afternoon clinic put on by some Orioles players and coaches. The clinic was for kids in the range of 8-18. I didn't have kids at the time, so just wandered and tried to learn as I've always been interested in the "little" things in sports. The ONE actual part of teaching I remember was Elrod Hendricks teaching kids about catching. He recommended the position described by GED10Dad to the older kids and hand behind the back for the younger (LL age) kids. He said everyone he knew that had tried having the hand up close to the mitt had gone through one or more broken fingers as a result of that location.

I've seen coaches teach the other options, but always told my boys to follow Elrod's method...

Thanks for the input. Son has to try what his coach says, and it sounds like his coach is not suggesting anything unusual.

Very soon, you'll have the opportunity to watch lots of college and pro catchers on TV. See where they put their throwing hand. You won't find many, and I dare say any, who put their throwing hand up by their glove hand. Most keep it on their right thigh, preferably along the side to protect it from a foul tip.

Practicing transfers will help a player get as fast as he needs to be. Both hands will be moving as the ball approaches the plate with a runner going and there is no need to keep them together.

Follow up: Son is happy with the new hand position, as it makes good sense to him (and me). FYI there's a page in Brent Mayne's book where he shows how the hand behind the glove pulls the catcher's weight too far forward.

Thanks to all for the input.

I agree with Catcher Dad. Practice transfers and, I would add, associated footwork. As to hand position, the hand behind glove weight problem makes sense but it still seems logical to have that hand closer to, but not touching chest in line behind the glove. Foul balls deflect away from glove and hand is helping with balance while being near transfer point. Hand behind back creates greater balance problem. Non throwing situations call for the hand to be behind the leg.