Transfers (flip/deflection/grab)

Ball Transfer (from mitt to throwing hand).

This starts with catching the ball and the positioning of the catcher's feet, shoulders, glove hand, and throwing hand. This method is designed to handle both the good pitch (strike) and the wild pitch. As with pitching and hitting, there are several different techniques that work better in certain situations. For catchers, some work best when the pitch is a strike thus easily handled. But since many pitches are not strikes (including pitch-outs), a more flexible method is necessary so that the runners are thrown out. Catch the ball one-handed with the arm stretched forward, directly in the glove's pocket (for better control). Bring the glove to the throwing hand, waiting at a center point about waist high, arm extended. Since the hands are apart, only the glove hand reacts to the high/ low/ in /out pitch. So, no matter where the pitch is caught, return it to the center point for transfer. The transfer from glove to hand can be accelerated by “flipping” it to the bare hand, held palm up. The further the flip, the quicker the release (and the more room for error). This takes a large amount of practice- start by playing catch using this technique; and be prepared to get yelled at by your coach!

Sorry, I have to disagree with this post for a number of reasons.  I don't ever recommend "flipping" the ball from the mitt to the hand.  I don't believe I've seen a video of a MLB guy doing it that way.  There is too much room for error there.  Simply reach in the mitt and grab the ball.  Also, The transfer should be much higher than the waist.  Most people agree that the catcher should have a high transfer, somewhere around the chest/shoulder/ear.

The reason that this works (and is difficult to master) is that the longer the ball is in the glove the slower the release time.  Also, when the mitt is moving backwards (away the from the target) it retards forward momentum, again slowing the release.  Catch the ball in front, immediately drop the ball downward to the throwing hand.  The mitt remains in front, providing forward momentum, while only the throwing hand cocks for the throw. This method has reduced PopTime in dozens of catchers I have coached. 

I don't think I've ever seen this technique used.  Do you have a video you can point to that shows this technique being used in a game by MLB players?  My son's coach teaches the technique suggested by Catching101.  One of the benefits of a high transfer is your arms add momentum as your body rises, and you've got symmetry of glove hand/throwing hand as you step and throw.  With a low flip, you still have to raise both arms anyway so I don't see where you save time.

Sorry Coach R...got to go wtih C-101 on this, the higher non-flip transfer is much more desired.  Your low, drop downward/flip, presents way to many opportunities for error.  I also have to say that like C101 says, reach in and grab it....this can be done without disrupting forwad momentum or delaying release time.  I have never met, seen or heard of anyone suggestion the method you are referring to.

Thanks for posting guys.  My son's catching instructor taught him to deflect/(small flip) up in the chest to shoulder area.  turn and bring his glove toward the throwing hand in the upper chest area.  as the ball is coming out of his glove, his hand is eagerly awaiting.  

the issue that raised this question is that his new HS assistant coach wanted him to stop the deflection and reach in and grab the ball.  he went from throwing 1.95 pops to 2.10.  He has since gone back to the deflection but I figure the loss in time was due to the timing/sequence being changed as his body was ready to throw but his throwing arm was lagging behind therefore expending the body's energy leaving ony the arm to throw. 

Anyway, I was wondering what the consensus was on this.

thanks

Not to sound negative, but is this methodology for real?  Almost sounds like someone is trying to mess with a catching dad's mind.  If the big league guys don't do it (and none do), then I will have to respectfully disagree.  Agree with the higher transfer.  Keep it simple, and study what the guys in the Bigs do.  They don't flip (ever).  I had a kid on our travel team do this, and I chewed his butt last year.  Made him quit doing it immediately.  

Different things work for different catchers.  However, I would think it would be a lot harder to get a good grip on a ball fipped/deflected/dropped into your hand. My son has been taught to reach into the glove and try to get a four seam grip, doesn't always work, but guys I see flipping the ball seem to be have a lot more non-throws due to poor grip or just plain dropping the ball.

Hmmmmmm...I think I'll video him and see just how much deflection there is.   For all I know, he thinks he's flipping alot and it could just be barely qualifying (or the opposite).

Good news is he only has maybe one non-throw everyother game or so due to a transfer issue.

Thanks again for your thoughts.

The 101 designation indicates an elementary basic level; a sound starting point (Math 101, English 101, Catching 101).  These traditional methods will work fine for all catchers, particularly the youngest, because it provides a safe transfer method.  It will limit your POPTime and ability to throw the non-strikes. SLBASEBALLDAD saw an improvement inhis son's poptime. YES, this may be different, more difficult BUT it provides a method to always improve.

OHIODAD; remember when nobody kicked soccer-style in the NFL!!!!!

just to clarify....he saw an increased POP time when grabbing the ball w/o the deflection.  he's been throwing 1.92 - 2.0 for a few months.  when grabbing the ball (as his HS asst coach's request), his pop went to 2.10.  he does like the flip/deflection but he does also do it in the upper chest area bringing the ball back and up from the catching spot (assuming a strike).  He doesn't (nor did his instructor teach) bring the ball down and around toward his waist.  I think that would take too long and again get his timing off.

So, atleast my son, is kinda in between both camps I guess.

It sounds like you are advocating a new, unproven technique.  I suppose that's fine but without at least one solid example (video) of success of this technique I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss proven techniques that are in use today.  I certainly wouldn't want my son to be a test case for this.

As far as soccer-style kicking in the NFL, Pete Gogolak was very successful in college and the AFL and demonstrated this technique worked before it was adopted by others.

Coach Rick,

Do you have any video of what you teach?  Doesn't matter if it's a MLB player or a little leaguer - I'm having a hard time picturing what you're describing.

When I played I probably did the deflection because I didn't reach into the mitt.  There was a slight flip to my throwing hand near my right shoulder.  Nobody taught it to me and it was something I picked up on my own.  I hardly ever had throwing problems when I used it.

Now that I coach catchers I would NEVER teach what I used to do.  I'm with 101 on the reach in and go get it method.

 I think there is going to be a fine line drawn between preparing a ball to be received by the throwing hand, glove turning and opening in order for the throwing hand to reach in and grab the ball and deflection.  But, neither of those are close to "flipping" the ball or "dropping" the ball into a palms up open hand.

SLB, earlier you ref your son only having maybe 1 non-throw per game...out of curiosity, do yo notice any "bad" throws..sailing, tailing etc...with the "flipping" method due to a bad grip?

no, not really.  There is the occasional flyer but its hard to say what caused it as I don't pay attention to specific things until there's a reason to.  he's always been pretty consistent though.  I'm wondering if we are tettering along the fine line you mentioned.  he's got games all weekend so i'm going to video him to see what he's really doing.

Just because my book, website, and videos are all called Catching-101 doesn't mean that I don't know advanced parts of the game.  I believe that by playing professional baseball and coaching college baseball I'm well versed in advanced catching mechanics.  

I've spoken with a lot of top catching coaches all over the country (college and MLB) and none of them have ever said that they "flipped" the ball from their mitt to their throwing hand.  There is too much room for error in that.  It isn't going to result in anything except for more bobbled transfers.

Honestly, only one coach has ever  advocated flipping/deflecting the ball to my son in all the years he has caught.  Every other coach has been about tweeking the split point, with the assumption he is grabbing the ball out of the glove with his hand.

Interesting conversation regarding the flip/deflection/grab... OK, y'all keep an open mind for my two cents...

I experimented with this a while back observing my HS players as well as breaking down my own transfer.  I always assumed, like most here have stated, that you reach in and grab the ball, find the grip as you pull it out and throw.  I played for more years than I care to admit and always thought that is what I was doing - never really broke it down.  Then while working with my catchers and infielders, I put some conscious thought into what was actually happening.  (BTW, this applies to any quick transfer throw, whether it be catchers, IF's or even OF's on a do-or-die.)  When I receive the ball and start bringing the glove in toward my body and throwing hand, as my throwing hand is entering the edges of the glove, my glove hand begins to release the ball into my throwing hand.  We're only talking about an inch or so.  This, for me anyway, is a subconscious movement and it definitely seems to help with speeding the transfer as opposed to reaching in, grabbing, finding grip, etc..  In trying to describe this, I guess you could call it a flip or deflection but it occurs mostly within the pocket of the glove.  I began to watch my HS players closely and broke down some video only to find that many do the same.  It is very subtle and probably invisible to the naked eye unless you are really looking for it.  The ball doesn't travel enough to cause bobbles and the move still allows one to quickly find seams during transfer.  I think part of this argument is semantics but part is this subconscious move. 

Catching101, I certainly bow to your qualifications and experience but wonder if you would concede some release of the ball by the glove hand into the throwing hand during the transfer?  Or do you definitively retrieve the ball from a firmly lodged position within the glove?

BTW, I have also had a few kids come through our program who we have had to break from literally flipping fielded grounders from glove to throwing hand on about a 6" - 8" arch.  Definitely not OK and a totally different kind of "flip".  

Thanks for your input.  As I indicated, its not a matter of right or wrong but one of potential. There is more potential for a fastest Pop Time using this method.  The greater the risk, the greater the reward.  If it doesn't work for you, DO NOT USE IT!! 

BUT, if you can master this, you will have a faster POP-TIME.  Every catcher that has  found success has reduced his pop-time by 2 to 3 tenths of a second.  

Still would like to see some video of this new method.

Cabbagedad I believe what you described is exactly what I did / do when I would go for a transfer.

CCJR just posted in the thread, "something new..transsfer times".  He posted a link to a video of Vazquez gunning a guy and stated the throw was video analyzed at 1.77 pop time.  If you pause/play in the "20 seconds" frame times, the video clip from behind the plate, you get a real good shot of this guys transfer.  Thought it was interesting and related well to this thread.....thought everyone might take a look adn give their interpretation of the type of transfer as related to this thread.