SS question

Swingbuster,

I was a shortstop up until I hurt my throwing arm in college. The one thing I teach as far as infielders go, especially at SS or 2B is work through the ball.

The way I teach working through the ball is once the ball has entered the glove and the fielder has began to bring the glove up, they should be moving towards first base to gain power for the throw. For me, I want my infielders on most throws to have their feet under control unless the play dictates to throw off-balance.

The double play (IMO) should focus on ball transfer and footwork around the base. I believe once you get those two areas down and are proficient at them, the time will be reduced between the feed to the transfer to the throw to first base.


Scooter

Thanks Scooter,

Others? I will likely find a way to get this to these people. First response hlped me.........

We work our short-stops in two main ways. One, the ball hit slowly or semi-slowly on the ground and two the ball hit sharply or to your back hand. One the slowly hit ball we do as scooter said and work through the ball aggrssively and continue momentum. This takes us closer to the base and we can snap the ball with our wrist to deliver a quick throw. On the hard hit or back hand ball we bring the ball in, gather our feet, and fire a strong strike to the belt of the first baseman. I feel it is important for a good infielder to develop both of these skills.

This should resolve itself due to a higher rate of errors, especially throwing, by being too quick. The SS will need to throw on the move at times but on the the majority of plays has time to set up for a strong accurate throw. The player will become frustrated with his errors and will be more receptive to modifying his approach.

We like to think of the shortstops defensive area divided up into zones, like slices of a pie. By practicing in 4 or 5 different "slices" the kid will soon realize that 'one throw does not fit all.' He'll figure this out probably faster than his dad will. If he has a nice arm he doesn't need to hurry, get his feet under him and fly it across the infield... that's what I like to work with anyway (and as a player I made enough errors that I know lots of ways things don't work)

Swing

Body control and soft hands with appropriate footwork fielding slow-rollers, footwork and quickness in double-play on both ends, handles routine grounders with ease...list is long but if he has great arm and quickness these other skills can be mastered through repetition.

Sometimes, it is helpful to get SS to the side and explain he doesn't have to rush throws. Tell him to use that great arm strength and no need to hurry things. Tell him not to get so excited and recommend he gather himself in his actions. Place emphasis on how important body control is at SS.

Agreed with earlier post by PG in list of importance of 5 tools for a SS in order which are as follows: fielding, arm, hitting, speed and power.

Good job swing,

Shep

I agree... BODY CONTROL... a very good point to have your infielders cognizant of.

The greatest piece of advice ever given in sports, any and all sports, was from John Wooden: "You must be quick but never hurry."

Your shortstop's father is correct in emphasizing quickness, but it sounds as if he is moving from quickness into hurrying. I applaud the father for his efforts, but the line between quickness and hurrying is fine; you always have to be aware.

Great points here. I doubt anyone taught Jeter to make that in-the-hole-between 3B/SS throw hopping off his back foot, or if a coach showed Chad Curtis how to do a flip after throwing the ball ---- it comes down to what the PLAYER can do and the effectiveness of it. Being under control in the game of baseball is HUGE...but what is control? What works for one won't work for others. I think coaches need to be flexible and willing to accept that certain players can do certain things that the rest of their players CANNOT or SHOULD NOT ever do...goes hand in hand with being a good coach, I think.