Glencoe Baseball Association Coaches’ Manual

Lesson 2 – Throwing a Baseball

BACKGROUND:

The most fundamental aspect of throwing a baseball is aligning the body with the target.  This means that the Shoulders, Hips, Ankles and Knees are in a straight line pointing toward the target (with the glove hand closest to the target).  We call this position “SHAK” (Shoulders, Hips, Ankles, Knees).  SHAK is pronounced like SHAQ, the NBA basketball player.  Getting into this position to throw will immediately address the most common flaw a player may have in throwing which is facing the target and “pushing” the ball.

Once a player is in proper position to throw, we need to “separate the hands and wind up” which we call “WINGS TO THE SKY” and “SEE THE FINGERS”.  In this position, the glove hand and the throwing hand come up to shoulder height, about parallel with the ground, with the arms in a straight line toward the target.  As the player would look back to the ball, they should see their fingers (this means the ball is facing away from them).

The next motion starts the throw by causing the shoulders to begin to rotate.  We call this move “LOVE THE GLOVE”.  As the glove is brought to the chest (some would say the chest is driven toward the glove), a reciprocal motion is created.  The throwing shoulder then rotates toward the target and the ball is released.  We call this motion “TURN, THROW and FOLLOW THROUGH”.

TEACHING METHODS:

Until players have learned to catch a ball safely (SEE Lesson 1 – Catching a Baseball), play catch with a whiffle ball or IncrediBall to avoid injuries.

Play a game of DROP OUT from about 15 to 20 feet apart (with or without gloves).  Just play, with no feedback yet.  DROP OUT is just a game of catch where you see how many balls can be thrown and caught without dropping the ball.  Observe, evaluate and determine what areas need particular focus.

Next: to provide feedback, describe what we are looking for in the throwing motion: Lining ourselves up with the target on every throw, not just some throws, winding up to throw the ball, and throwing the ball.  (COACHES’ NOTE: The ball is delivered at 1 o’clock, think of the arms of a clock, with a long follow through of the throwing hand.)

Next: the coach should demonstrate the throwing motion using the cues SHAK, WINGS TO THE SKY and SEE THE FINGERS, LOVE THE GLOVE, TURN / THROW / FOLLOW THROUGH.  Have the child in a position so that they may see you.  You should demonstrate from several angles and in the style that your child throws (right or left handed).  Call out each cue and have the child practice their throwing motion (no balls).  The coach may have the child call out the cues while the coach performs the throwing motion.  Repeat until you are comfortable that the child has command of all the cues.  For most kids, this may be accomplished in about 10 minutes.

Next: Play another game of DROP OUT.  The coach should observe, evaluate and provide feedback.  Some players may need to have the basics reinforced while others will be ready to make the game more difficult.  The game can be made more difficult by moving farther apart, by not allowing the player catching the ball to move their feet, by making the target above the waist, etc.