On throwdowns, what is the best grip to use? I always used a 4 seam, but my high school coach says the 2 seam grip gives the ball carry. Whats gonna help my pop time?
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I've never heard to use a 2 seam. The 4 seam is supposed to allow the ball to carry more, while reducing the tail or movement on the ball.
I shall hope and pray that you simply misunderstood your coach, and that he is not really that ignorant.
2-seam grip is for pitchers ONLY. Fielders should be trained to find the 4-seam grip by feel and to use it ALWAYS.
The need for quickness on catchers' throws sometimes makes it hard to get the proper grip. It's one thing to try to get a 4-seam grip and fail. It's quite another to start out trying to get the wrong grip. Then watch your throws sink and tail into the runner. Right.
2-seam grip is for pitchers ONLY. Fielders should be trained to find the 4-seam grip by feel and to use it ALWAYS.
The need for quickness on catchers' throws sometimes makes it hard to get the proper grip. It's one thing to try to get a 4-seam grip and fail. It's quite another to start out trying to get the wrong grip. Then watch your throws sink and tail into the runner. Right.
Any grip other than a 4 seam will move - no doubt about it. How much and where to depends on a lot of things but they will move.
It takes a lot of work to get to where you can catch, transfer, 4 seam and throw it around a second but you can do it. Find a good wall and an old ball. Throw the ball at the wall and get down in your crouch. The ball should bounce once on the ground and then be in the neighborhood of a pitch. Catch and work on the transfer to a 4 seam.
It takes a lot of work to get to where you can catch, transfer, 4 seam and throw it around a second but you can do it. Find a good wall and an old ball. Throw the ball at the wall and get down in your crouch. The ball should bounce once on the ground and then be in the neighborhood of a pitch. Catch and work on the transfer to a 4 seam.
I agree. 4-seam. Pitchers use 2 seam in order to get a run on the pitch. NOT what you want on a throw down.
Yes, a two seam will give you carry......to right field.
Anything less then a four seam is not optimal and can led to a bad throw and/or drops. I will concede a good four seam grip can also led to bad throws if you cut the ball (i.e. don't get the 12 to 6 rotation). Good rotation and arm strength are the most important factors in "carry." Good rotation starts with an optimal grip and ends with a 12/6 rotation at release.
Anything less then a four seam is not optimal and can led to a bad throw and/or drops. I will concede a good four seam grip can also led to bad throws if you cut the ball (i.e. don't get the 12 to 6 rotation). Good rotation and arm strength are the most important factors in "carry." Good rotation starts with an optimal grip and ends with a 12/6 rotation at release.
simple answer 4 seam grip
Whenever possible, catchers throw with a 4 seam grip. As has been mentioned, 2 seams is for pitchers and will give you better run on the ball, exactly what you don't want on a throw to a base.
It is easy to practice this at home in front of the TV. Just take your mitt and a ball and place the ball randomly in the mitt. Quickly bring your hands together like you would when transferring, and practice recognizing where the seams are and quickly moving them over to a 4 seam grip. Repeat it as often as you want. The more you do this simple drill, the better you'll become in a game when it matters and the easier it will be to get the proper grip while going through your throwing motion.
It is easy to practice this at home in front of the TV. Just take your mitt and a ball and place the ball randomly in the mitt. Quickly bring your hands together like you would when transferring, and practice recognizing where the seams are and quickly moving them over to a 4 seam grip. Repeat it as often as you want. The more you do this simple drill, the better you'll become in a game when it matters and the easier it will be to get the proper grip while going through your throwing motion.
