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The previous chapter was about fielding the ball but stopped short of the complete fielding technique because a detailed explanation about throwing was not included. Throwing, in my opinion, is the most important technique to teach a young athlete. After fielding the ball, all is wasted without a strong and accurate throw. How is this accomplished?

 

Get a Grip

The grip is very important because it is what ensures that the ball stay on line and not veer off line. The proper grip uses two or three fingers (the first crease or bend of the fingers) at 90 degrees across the seams and the thumb down palm of the hand. This allows the ball to properly rotate in a 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock rotation and cut through the air as fast as possible. Gripping the ball parallel with the seams causes the ball, when thrown over a distance, to veer off line making it more difficult for the receiver to catch the ball. It is also important to note that the whole body needs to be involved in the throw and not just the arm or shoulder. One of my goals is also to prevent unnecessary overuse injuries too often caused by improper technique and throwing improperly.

We will be discussing several throwing techniques. These include the traditional, abbreviated, one-motion, one-touch toss, continuous running throw, a¾ snap throw and the long bounce throw.

 

TYPES OF THROWING TECHNIQUES

Traditional

The words down-around-snap summarize the traditional throwing technique. After you catch the ball, the glove rotates. As this is happening reach in the glove with the throwing hand facing down to the ground to start the throw while the ball is still in the glove. As the hand moves down toward the ground the opposite side knee raises (this action is as if a puppeteers strings are attached to hand and knee). Raise the glove hand and throwing arm then rotate them around and up behind and to the side of the body reaching a height where the elbow is even with the shoulder. This is where the hands separate. The throwing arm and lead arm get into a position about 90- degrees each bent at the elbow. The wrist is cocked back with the ball. The throwing elbow leads to the target and the wrist snaps down hard towards the ground (the fingers should be pointing to the target's eyes upon release then downward to the ground after the throw is released).

 

The finish is over the opposite knee with the back bent over. Be careful not to finish with the throwing arm across the body. That will pull the ball off line. Equally important is the opposite arm and elbow. The opposite elbow acts as a target guide until starting the throw's release. The front elbow and arm move in a radial movement (the glove radiates upward from a level position) then the elbow goes downward hard into the side of the rib cage. This action pulls the entire throwing elbow and arm and body over the top for a stronger throw. The follow through includes a strong back leg drive over the front leg. The step forward with the raised leg is in the direction of the target, but not pointing toes straight at it. They point at an angle to the throwing side allowing the hips to drive and rotate properly. The touch down of the front foot is timed with the forward motion of the arm. The ball rolls off the pads of the long fingers pulling the seams sharply down. This throwing motion is fundamentally strong and will be adequate through high school or competitive play.

Advanced Techniques

At the more competitive levels of play, time management is the goal. This
involves accuracy, speed and quickness of the throw. The release is critical to
complimenting the fielding technique.

Abbreviated

You should use an abbreviated throwing motion for infield or short outfield throwing. Upon the catch, the ball is quickly pulled back in a mini circle just above the ear. This movement is a mini circle to the ear for rhythm. This technique does not start down as in the Down-Around-Snap technique. After the ball is transferred from the glove to the throwing hand, use the balance of the traditional throwing motion to complete the throw.

You should use this throwing motion with the infield scissors footwork. Any shortening of the throwing motion that does not sacrifice rhythm, power and accuracy is desirable. This motion if properly used does not put any unnecessary stress on the body joints. Remember, make the catch with the weight on the glove side foot and throw the ball with the weight on the throwing side foot.

 

One-Touch Toss

 

Another essential and underused throwing technique in softball is the toss. I call this a one-touch toss. "Wrist snap" is interchangeable with toss. Whether the ball is sitting motionless on the ground or caught at the side or over the head, it can be quickly tossed by rotating the ball in the glove or picking it from the ground. Without moving the ball anywhere, the palm of the hand always points to the target and the toss is completed by snapping the wrist for a one-touch toss crisply to the target. Obviously, this is used at shorter distances and it should have spin. A floating ball is not desirable. Remember to toss from wherever the ball is first touched, picked or caught. An infielder can effectively use the toss to avoid scaring the baseperson when the thrower is close in distance. This technique can be used for a quicker release compared to the ball being picked up and thrown.

The battery (catcher and pitcher) uses a one-touch toss with all short plays at home. The toss is the most time effective out-getting throw. It should be taught to infielders as often as all other throwing techniques. Outfielders can use this toss to flip to their partners when they are moving away from the target and another outfielder is running by and towards the target. The toss dictates throwing from wherever the body is at the time the ball is touched. A glove toss is used when moving towards a target and the catch can only be made reaching out away from the body preventing the throwing hand from getting to the glove quickly. This is when there is no chance to catch with two hands or get the throwing hand to the ball. To throw with the glove, cock the glove wrist back and snap forward opening the glove to let go of the ball.

¾ Snap Throw
This throw referred to in the fielding chapter is a quick-release elbow-below- the-shoulder wrist-snap throw. The ball faces forward toward the target. It is basically a toss with forearm and wrist movement. The ¾ snap throw is used in turning double plays with rock-n- fires or pivots. It is used with the one-motion, continuous running footwork and the scissors step footwork. It is the preferred infield throwing technique at higher levels.

The above throwing technique should not be confused with short arming the throw or throwing like a novice girl or boy. The first is weak and puts too much stress on the elbow. The latter is an open body weak arm throw that has no power or control over any distance and puts stress on the elbow joint. Use defensive techniques like the one-motion or continuous running throw with the ¾ snap throw to combat a bouncing ball in front and give you the opportunity to make a quicker more fluid release. A scissors step footwork with a¾ snap quick release is another solid defensive and throwing technique. Of course the type of throw you use depends on the location of the target and you. For example, if you are playing second base and a ball bounces above the waist in front of you, you would use a one-motion throw for a play at the plate. However, when making a similar play at first base, you would continue to run through the ball without stopping in a continuous motion through the ball away from the target and throw back to first base without stopping your forward progress. When using the one-motion or continuous running throw, a fielder runs through the ball without hesitation or stopping to catch the ball and uses a ¾ snap throw. The player catches the ball and releases it as quickly as she can typically before the second step. The ¾ snap throw is the most control and accuracy a player can get especially in the infield. I use this type of throw with teams that lack throwing consistency in their infields. At the older levels and the stronger bodies this type of throw is the primary choice. A quicker release with power and control is accomplished.

The Long Bounce

With runners on base, any long throw to a base or home should use a long bounce throw. It is more accurate unless a throw can be made accurately and strongly all the way. Accuracy is more important than trying to throw all the way to the base and being off line. It also eliminates the slow moving rainbow throw that takes too much time to get anywhere. Very young players can use the long bounce throw from first to third or home to second. When the sun is blinding a base person, use the bounce throw in the infield to enable the infielder the opportunity to make a more secure catch taking the sun out of play. It is a good throw for a shortstop to use when they are moving away deep in the hole behind third and throwing to first if the throw is going to be weak if thrown all the way in the air. Practicing and perfecting the one bounce is essential for being a good outfielder. A long bounce home is more effective in critical game situations than trying to make a rainbow throw to the plate, which is slower and probably will not get the desired result which is the out.

In summary, in the outfield at short distances a toss, one-motion or abbreviated throw can be used. At long distances, the down-around-snap is necessary along with a back-leg-drive follow through to throw the ball strong and accurate. In the infield, the one touch toss, ¾ snap throw and abbreviated throw is preferred.

In all throwing techniques, except some tossing and possibly the continuous running throw footwork, the hips and shoulders must be in line with the target. Any deviation from this alignment to throw results in off line and weak throws. At no time however should any throw be made out of control. It is more acceptable to allow the base hit if the throw is not controllable than giving away two or more bases on a single base hit. Fundamentally, solid throwing is essential for successful Fastpitch. Remember, games are lost; not won. Quite often, this involves throwing mistakes.

 

 

 

MY FAVORITE DRILLS - THROWING

 

RELAY THROWING FOOTWORK
Objective
Working on how to properly execute a relay.
Explanation
In a big circle with multiple players 10yds apart, throw quickly to a receiver's
target at throwing side ear level. The receiver is square to the thrower as the
ball is released. As the ball arrives, drop step glove side. The catch is made as
the throwing side foot crosses over in front of glove side foot. The ball is
transferred out of glove and quickly thrown in a continuous motion to next
player. Add more than one ball for more repetitions with players in large circle.

TWO LINE THROWING
Objective
Working accuracy and situational throws.
Explanation
Start with two lines facing each other. Have the players first work the scissors
step footwork as they throw a ball to each other back and forth. Then switch to
one motion throws, then pickle tosses, and then one touch tosses then glove
tosses. Variations can be made (i.e Short hopping the ball for scissors step,
etc.) First focus on perfect form then throw harder with time.

FOUR BOX DRILL
Objective
Close quarters with different throws under pressure. Lead a target and throw
with control.
Explanation
4 cones in a box about 7 X 10 yards.
Players split equally at opposite corners. Use empty bucket to place balls caught
by receiver. Coach throws balls to player running at coach. Player must release
ball with whatever technique desired by coach. Use for tosses and one motion
etc throws. Work both sides of each technique.
This is copyrighted material by Gerry Mauro, GM Sports. All rights reserved.