Defense, Throwing and Catching

1. Defense, Throwing and Catching Athlete Baseball By Miles Noland

2. Grip 4 seam grip; place index and middle finger over the four seams Spread other 2 finger ¾ inch apart Place inner side of thumb on bottom of ball so it is in line with your middle finger Hold ball loosely in your fingertips Release ball with a ¾ overhand motion for optimal accuracy and velocity http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ3ukLkmPTs

3. Arm Action Hand, ball, and glove start off together Early throwing drills- on one knee (cue: thumb to thigh, ball to sky) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVfiAwnfLcc Firm glove Form 90-degree angle between upper arm forearm (cue: stay on top of the ball) Follow through in direction of target http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFa7RyeMf28

4. Stride Shoulders are lined up with target as you begin the throw Stride directly at the target Drive front side at your target, creating a straight line Take chest toward your glove

5. Receiving (Catching) Knees bent, shoulder width apart Show target (glove and throwing hand up) Expect a bad throw Move feet to get body behind ball Take pride in not letting the ball get by you All good players can catch and throw Can work on skills while playing catch-not a time to goof around

6. Playing Catch • You must move your feet • Ball of foot to ball of foot • Develop rhythm and tempo • Always have a target • Begin easy and short • Lengthen to long toss when you are ready • Shorten to 60 feet after long toss

7. Fielding Groundballs • Creep step • IF-knees bent, glove out, head down, butt down, work up and out through ball • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZJCZatuz5M • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tjzn33KzR6g&feature=related • Backhand play- occurs when you cannot get behind ball; turn glove over, longer throw • Forehand- fielding ball on your gloveside

8. Groundballs • Slow roller-slow hit ball, run through it, throw from a lower arm slot; true test of IF • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZuWfQfYuTQ • IF’s possess soft hands (3B, 2B, SS), quickness, and a strong arm • 3B-strong arm and good hands, less mobility • SS-best IF, strong arm, great hands • 2B-very good hands, lesser arm strength • 1B-great hitter, good hands, arm not usually good

9. Drills (Infield) • Four corner (throwing, flips) • Short hops (straight on, backhand, forehand)-use glove hand only • Relays • Dive play (on knees) • Double play turns

10. Responsibilities (IF) • Know assignment on bunts • Cover assigned base during steal, 2B play, etc. • Communicate with IF’s, P’s, and OF’s • Effectively execute a rundown • Cutoff man on outfield throws • Keep ball in IF when necessary (preventing a run) • Hold runners • Make average plays • Understand double play depth

11. Responsibilities (everyone) • Play with energy • Overcommunicate • Be aggressive • Block balls with body, nothing gets by • Make average plays • Back each other • Know the game situation and what you will do with the ball when it comes to you

12. Strategies • All defensive players must know the # of outs, hitter up, running ability of hitter and runners on, inning, and the score • All are factors that affect decisions • Why would knowing the running speed of the hitter affect an IF? a catcher? An OF? • The conditions (rain, cold, sun, field surface, windy, etc) and how it will affect their play

13. 1st and 3rd Plays • On a steal- defense has options (throw to 2nd, throw to a cutoff man, fake to 2nd throw to 3rd, no throw-all based on game situation) • Early leave-runner on 1st gets into a rundown trying to score the runner from 3rd (defense has to understand game situation)

14. Bunt Plays • Communicated to team by the catcher (usually through the coach) • Ex.-pitcher cover 3rd base line, 1st base covers 1st base line; pitchers covers 1st base line, 3rd baseman covers 3rd base line, wheel play (runners on 1st & 2nd, trying to get lead runner) • Defense must be poised and in control (always want to take an out, do not hurry)