Throwing Fundamentals
The Fundamentals of the overhand throw
- Break hands with thumbs down
- Elbow or glove should point to target
- Throwing should be in “L” position
- Step to target with front shoulder initially moving to target
- Follow through to opposite knee and finish with back hip
Proper throwing technique should be emphasized at every practice. With very young players in 8U and 10U partner throwing warmups leads to more chasing the ball than throwing the ball so we suggest the following stations
1) Towel Drill
2) Knee Drill into a fence with wiffle balls
3) Shuffle Shuffle throw to a target
With 4 minute stations of these 3 drills, young players can get many repetitions of good throwing mechanics.
The addition of stations for proper glove position for catching and well as footwork should be next in your practice progression. Using tennis balls and foam paddles helps players over come the fear of being hit in the face with a ball.
Stations
1) Coach toss tennis ball for proper hand position in catching
– Fingers up for ball above the belt
– Fingers down for ball below
2) Footwork drill no ball
– Step in, turn, throw are the proper commands to repeat to your players so that they get momentum into their throw and get turned sideways for proper body position.
– Mix catching imaginary ground balls and flyballs
Practice Organization
– Have multiple stations going and have players rotate station to station
– Keep stations short
– Keep players moving
– Get parents to help show them what to do and let them assist at a station
