Throw across the body

To me, it means that if you drew an imaginary line from the thrower to the target, the thrower's stride foot would cross that imaginary line towards the throwing arm side as he threw. The thrower's momentum generally heads in the direction of the stride foot, so when you "throw across the body", you've got your body going in one direction and the arm has to fight that momentum to throw towards the target. I would work on stepping directly at your target as the first step to fixing the problem.

That pretty much sums it up. The thighs get in the way of each other when a pitcher does this.

It is a weakness on a routine play, but MI's often have to make a play that is not routine. Being able to throw from bad angles accurately and with power is a good thing on occaision. But never on a routine play.

Thanks for taking the time to explain it. Now I know what to look for and how to help this young man.

I agree with Dough. The talented MIs seem to be able to adjust and get a decent throw from awkward angles. It is also important to make balanced throws on routine plays.

MIF, slow rollers, and balls that he has to use "extra range to" could possibly create the acroos the body motion.

Normal ground balls should always be thrown across the diamond with solid direction and distance gained towards the target.

quote:

Originally posted by Doughnutman:
It is a weakness on a routine play, but MI's often have to make a play that is not routine. Being able to throw from bad angles accurately and with power is a good thing on occaision. But never on a routine play.

I agree. MIF's are going to have to throw across their body at times with balls they have to extend to get that are hit to their left.

The best way to prepare them for this is to practice it. Do a bunch of ball in hand drills and also take ground balls to reinforce this.

If they don't practice it often, it will be that much harder to do when they really need to execute it.