been a while since i've been on but thought i would propose this argument. most of the kids out there who catch are hammered day in day out with the philosophy that you have to have quick feet to throw people out. i think, however, people worry more about how quick they can transfer their feet into position instead of how quick they can transfer and get rid of with their hands.
you can spin or run or hop, but basically once the front foot lands, its a way to notify the body to throw now. when a pitcher or any other position player lands on their front foot then the arm is already coming through to release the ball. so why with catching are we so concerned with getting to the "transfer position".... this is the position where we are balanced in good position and almost posing for a camera. i think by getting to that position, you end up losing your lower half. if the lower half has to wait for the arm to come through then that means that in order to speed up the arm to catch up to the body, something would have to give.
in watching a lot of the catchers this past weekend in ft myers, i noticed that no matter the arm strength, they can be quicker. a number of kids transferred with their arm extended and the transfer happend in front of them at their chest. this is disagree with. when they transfer out in front, they get to a throwing position while their arm is still going back. the arm ends up dragging because the lower half was ready to throw but the upper body was late.
here is what i think. dont reach out to transfer for one, let the ball come in and receive deep in the zone. as the ball hits the glove, the front side starts to turn or close. the throwing hand stays even with the throwing shoulder and you basically transfer at the shoulder -not out in front. your front side closes and your glove goes in a straight line from impact directly to your throwing hand. as the glove goes to the throwing hand, the front side goes with it. once the ball hits your hand, your back foot can either pick up and put down or do some small jab step. the front foot follows with a step, however..... the upper body is actually waiting for the lower half or the front foot to get down so we can throw.
i believe instead of preaching you must have quick feet... preach your feet will be as quick as your transfer. if you just have them think "get it and get rid of it" they wont have to worry so much about their feet. if they are relaxed they will move quicker... if they are telling themselves "quick feet, quick feet" then they will try to be too quick and not only will their feet be heavy and slow, but their transfer and timing will be off.
this way should be able to shave off .10-.13. the people with baseballwebtv / skillshow had me do a coaching piece on this while in ft myers, so as soon as it is uploaded i will post the link.
let me know what you think!
Original Post
