Sport Skill Analysis: Summary of Baseball/Softball Cues and Progressions.

1. Sport Skill Analysis:Summary of Baseball/Softball Cues and Progressions. By Richard Fielder Source: Ann Asbell in EXSS 360 at Oregon State University.

2. Introduction The following presentation is a summary of how one might teach basic skills involved in baseball/softball. This presentation will cover catching and overhand throwing.

3. Catching • Progression • No glove, soft, softball • By self, toss in air • Toss to each other, short distance, increase • Underhand toss w/ regulation ball (if necessary progress to regulation ball) • Use glove, repeat previous steps • Overhand throw w/ glove

4. Catching cont. • Critical Elements or Cues • Move to get in line with the ball as it leaves the throwers hand. • Show a target to thrower; glove up, open, ready. • Soft hands; some flex to elbows • Stance- forward to back stride; contra lateral foot slightly forward. • Ball down fingers down, ball up fingers up • Watch ball disappear into hands/glove • Give with the ball.

5. Catching cont. • Errors • Hands to stiff, wrong position. • Catch to the side, not move to position. • No give. • Not catching in pocket. • Taking eyes off the catch to soon. • Not using two hands when glove is in poor condition or when not using a glove.

6. Catching cont. • Safety • Ball matches ability level, maturity. • Hands not soft mold. • Miss the pocket. • No give • Ability of players is mismatched.

7. Final Note on Catching If not using a glove, use both hands to catch. Beginners should also use the throwing hand to secure the ball in the glove; however, the free hand must be behind the glove or out of the way while the ball is thrown.

8. Overhand Throw • Progression • Grip, ready position, body motion, arm motion, wrist release and follow through. • Short distance wrist snaps first • Always start from a comfortable distance, build up.

9. Overhand Throw cont. • Critical Elements or Cues. • Preperation: Opposite foot and shoulder forward. Opposite arm/elbow point to target, weight on back foot. • Preparation: Ball in fingers; palm of hand not touching the ball; grip seams. • Preparation: Look at the chest of the reciever(their glove if they have provided a target).

10. Overhand Throw cont. • Critical Elements or Cues cont. • Extent wrist on backswing (cock wrist) • Step w/ foot opposite throwing arm. • Rotate torso then shoulders(rotate opposite shoulder away from the direction of the throw using opposite arm or elbow to initiate rotation. • Lead throwing arm with elbow. • Hand catches up and is just “outside” elbow when ball is released. • Advanced form shown by clicking on button.

11. Overhand Throw cont. • More Critical Elements or Cues. • Release(flex) wrist as last motion of throw, just past “peak of cap.” • During arm swing, upper arm should get to parallel position to ground, 90 degree angle to body. • Finish w/ arm across opposite hip, thumb pointing down and back, weight on forward foot. • Distance throws: use full wind up (down and around) • Quick short throws: Draw arm back like drawing a bow.

12. Overhand Throw cont. • Errors • Grip in palm. • No pivot; poor shoulder rotation. • Wrong foot. • Elbow leads too close to body. • Poor wrist action. • Insufficient follow through.

13. Overhand Throw cont. • Safety • Ball not matched to maturity, hand size. • Not starting esy, throwing too hard. • Lines too close; wrong directions.

14. Conclusion As you can see there is a lot involved in being a competent catcher and thrower. These skills are essential in softball and baseball and can be carried over into other overhand sports as well.