Any pointers to help focus for throwing from 3b to 1b? Son struggling with it right now. I told him he is probably thinking to hard. Probably needs to narrow down his focus and trust it.
Lefty
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
A few basic tips can sometimes be helpful. Of course, not seeing him in action makes it hard to determine which one(s) would fit. Try some of these...
1. Improve footwork. Most error (even throwing errors) are caused by wrong footwork. Focusing more attention on the footwork to the ball, through the ball, and following the throw will take much of the focus off the throw. The throw is a byproduct of the footwork. Focus footwork and often the throw will take care it itself.
2. Follow the throw to 1st in a straight line. After throwing, he should be taking a few steps directly towards first. Some guys peal off left or right or even just stop after the throw. Keep moving.
3. Don't tap. Some guys when they think a little too much will not just catch and throw. They will catch, tap the ball in the glove a couple times, and then throw. The extra time it takes to do that can throw off the timing and allow the player to think about it even more. Focusing on the footwork can help with this too.
I'm sure others will add some good stuff as well.
Hope this helps!
BaseballByTheYard.com
1. Improve footwork. Most error (even throwing errors) are caused by wrong footwork. Focusing more attention on the footwork to the ball, through the ball, and following the throw will take much of the focus off the throw. The throw is a byproduct of the footwork. Focus footwork and often the throw will take care it itself.
2. Follow the throw to 1st in a straight line. After throwing, he should be taking a few steps directly towards first. Some guys peal off left or right or even just stop after the throw. Keep moving.
3. Don't tap. Some guys when they think a little too much will not just catch and throw. They will catch, tap the ball in the glove a couple times, and then throw. The extra time it takes to do that can throw off the timing and allow the player to think about it even more. Focusing on the footwork can help with this too.
I'm sure others will add some good stuff as well.
Hope this helps!
BaseballByTheYard.com
I agree 100% with meachrm here. It is mostly about the feet and getting in the proper position to make accurate throws. Throwing off balance is often the reason behind poor throws. Obviously the ability to throw off balance accurately is a skill that needs to be achieved as well. But, still proper footwork and having the players body moving in the proper direction with the throw are all important.
A drill my son used to do endlessly was to throw the ball and end the throw by pointing to the target (as part of the throwing motion).
But Footwork, Footwork, Footwork. It is often overlooked in the development of a player.
A drill my son used to do endlessly was to throw the ball and end the throw by pointing to the target (as part of the throwing motion).
But Footwork, Footwork, Footwork. It is often overlooked in the development of a player.
Thanks fellas! Great input.
He is a tapper, so I agree that focusing on this feet will help him out.
Lefty
He is a tapper, so I agree that focusing on this feet will help him out.
Lefty
Can you eleaborate on what the problem is? I.e. ball is sailing, spiking in the ground, tailing off.
Here is a drill to cure tapping (which I despise, btw):
Hit fungo to the 3B. 3B fields it and steps his right foot through to 1B but keeps the ball in his glove at the center of his body. He continues to shuffle toward 1B until the 1B flashes his glove to him. At that point, he breaks his hands in the center of his body and makes a strong, accurate throw.
The 1B can mix it up and make the 3B shuffle several times or just once. Either way, he dictates when the ball is thrown.
Hit fungo to the 3B. 3B fields it and steps his right foot through to 1B but keeps the ball in his glove at the center of his body. He continues to shuffle toward 1B until the 1B flashes his glove to him. At that point, he breaks his hands in the center of his body and makes a strong, accurate throw.
The 1B can mix it up and make the 3B shuffle several times or just once. Either way, he dictates when the ball is thrown.
Excellent advice! Another one we do is put a small focus pad on a screen at 1st. That's his target. I pick up what he hits, he picks up his misses.
redbird, what a great drill. Thanks.
meachrm is spot on about the feet.
redbird, what a great drill. Thanks.
meachrm is spot on about the feet.