What would cause throws to be off-target?

[GeorgiaHoo]

Daughter (catcher) typically throws to 2B and 3B very accurately. Recently, throws have been off-target, sailing high or wide. I think they sail wide because she throws three-quarters side-arm, which she has a tendency to do, especially when she loses focus. However, why would they sail high?

[Jake Patterson]

Daughter (catcher) typically throws to 2B and 3B very accurately. Recently, throws have been off-target, sailing high or wide. I think they sail wide because she throws three-quarters side-arm, which she has a tendency to do, especially when she loses focus. However, why would they sail high?

Poor follow through.
Can you post a clip???

[dannyboy]

GeorgiaHoo,

When all else fails, tell her:
Aim small, miss small.

[Jake Patterson]

GeorgiaHoo,

When all else fails, tell her:
Aim small, miss small.

Telling her without explaining what this means won't help much.

Target reduction drills do help with this problem.

Along these lines set up a tee at the back of the mound and balance a white 5 gallon bucket on it. Using a modified soft toss throw balls to her from the catching position with the intent of knocking the bucket off the tee. You'll need a bucket of balls and someone shagging and manning the bucket.

As she gets better at knocking the bucket off the team move the tee back toward second base. If she gets real good at this use a Gator Aid bottle.

Just remember her problem is more likely associated with poor follow-through.

[Richmond Hill Phoenix]

Also, make sure she's using a 4-seam grip. I know it seems obvious, but hey. It could be..

[dannyboy]

Jake,

Telling her without explaining what this means won't help much.

thanks, for assuming that I a) wouldn't explain (to her), and b) that I couldn't be of much help.
this indicates to me that you underestimate the mental capacity of your players. the term is pretty, well, self-explanatory.

[deaconspoint]

Check her foot work. Does her weight drop back before she throws or is she moving toward second and staying low?

[Jake Patterson]

Jake,
thanks, for assuming that I a) wouldn't explain (to her), and b) that I couldn't be of much help.
this indicates to me that you underestimate the mental capacity of your players. the term is pretty, well, self-explanatory.

Sorry Ray,
Wasn't assuming you wouldn't explain.
I coached HS and used the same phrase often. One year I noticed several players asking each other what that meant... I got the team on the mound and when I was done asking them who didn't know we had 4-5 players who openenly admitted they didn't know. So we probably had more....

We have a large mix of coaches here. Those who are new to baseball to those who have coached college. I have also found that phrases used in one part of the country can sometimes have different meanings elsewhere... The term Pill comes to mind.

I use this phrase often when the players are playing catch.

[Whitesoxnut]

Throwing sidearm will cause all kinds of problems, including over-throwing. She might be palming the ball too, as well as squeezing it to death. Daily practice sessions with you should get her confidence back. Maybe have her do some kneeling on one knee throwing to get her body lined up right and come over hand while keeping the hands high.

[PullFactor]

If not follow through, or poor body positioning, I would definately say it's either a lack of confidence or proper mental attitude, both of which come with
experience.
Just curious, how is her pop time? How is her body positioned when she actually releases the ball?

[Catchingcoach]

GeorgiaHoo,

Watch her footwork and check and see where her right foot goes as soon as it starts to move. (I'm assuming she is right handed). If this foot is moving backwards then this will cause her weight to shift to the back leg and will often cause a throw that is high. If in turn her left foot does not get back to her midline and close off her front side, that will cause her left side to stay open. This usually causes her throwing elbow to drop below her shoulder resulting in a wide-right throw.

Bottom line is check where that right foot is going.

[GeorgiaHoo]

If not follow through, or poor body positioning, I would definately say it's either a lack of confidence or proper mental attitude, both of which come with
experience.
Just curious, how is her pop time? How is her body positioned when she actually releases the ball?

Right now she's at 2.11 to 2B (she's 12). She has pretty good form. She has been working with one of the better catching instructors in the Southeast for the last 6 months or so and there has been a lot of improvement. As I said, she typically throws very accurately. It could be that she's just worn out. She's caught 62 games already this year (way too many in my opinion, but the coach wasn't comfortable with our other catcher).

While we are on the throwing subject, what's a good way to strengthen the arm? I've heard long-toss, but also heard some say there's nothing to prove it works.

Thanks to everyone for the input.

[WonderMonkey]

Daughter (catcher) typically throws to 2B and 3B very accurately. Recently, throws have been off-target, sailing high or wide. I think they sail wide because she throws three-quarters side-arm, which she has a tendency to do, especially when she loses focus. However, why would they sail high?

She may be rushing her throws. Throwing before she has a base often leads to throwing high or to the throwing side.

[WonderMonkey]

Right now she's at 2.11 to 2B (she's 12). She has pretty good form. She has been working with one of the better catching instructors in the Southeast for the last 6 months or so and there has been a lot of improvement. As I said, she typically throws very accurately. It could be that she's just worn out. She's caught 62 games already this year (way too many in my opinion, but the coach wasn't comfortable with our other catcher).

While we are on the throwing subject, what's a good way to strengthen the arm? I've heard long-toss, but also heard some say there's nothing to prove it works.

Thanks to everyone for the input.

62 games? Caught 62 games? Wow.

[Whitesoxnut]

62 games? Caught 62 games? Wow.

Wow, shes a tough one. Forgive me I didnt see the part of your post where you said she was a catcher. Others here can give you far better advice about that position. Best wishes to you and your daughter.

[WonderMonkey]

Right now she's at 2.11 to 2B (she's 12). She has pretty good form. She has been working with one of the better catching instructors in the Southeast for the last 6 months or so and there has been a lot of improvement. As I said, she typically throws very accurately. It could be that she's just worn out. She's caught 62 games already this year (way too many in my opinion, but the coach wasn't comfortable with our other catcher).

While we are on the throwing subject, what's a good way to strengthen the arm? I've heard long-toss, but also heard some say there's nothing to prove it works.

Thanks to everyone for the input.

Working her core body will help speed up her throw. Long-toss promotes a looping arm motion while catching uses a whole different motion. Since she is working with a catching instructor hopefully she is learning the importance of quickly getting into a throwing position and getting rid of the ball. To me that is the most important thing. Her arm strength will progress over time but mechanics come first (to me).

I would rather have good mechanics then just a raw arm because if the mechanics are good, then the arm getting stronger will complete the package. If it is just a raw arm, it is difficult to put excellent mechanics in place because at first sometimes it slows them down, depending on what has to be undone.

[GeorgiaHoo]

Last year she got by on arm strength alone. This year her mechanics have improved a lot thanks to her instructor. When she first started with the instructor she was at 2.5 or so to 2B and has shaved a good bit off that in the last 6 months.

62 games is a lot to catch. I went back through the schedule yesterday and figured it out. We played our first tournament on March 18. She's played 14 tournaments since then, catching anywhere from 3-6 games per tourney. She also caught 12 league games. Now we are getting ready to move into school softball, where I imagine she'll catch the majority of the 10-12 league games we play.

We are going to make sure that next year its clear that the team needs another catcher. I'd like her to still be able to play and enjoy it a few years from now.

[bigdog4364]

Hi,

I am 30 years old and just joined a softball league. I have not played in years but I have adapted to playing the outfield pretty good. The only problem is when I start throwing my arm starts hurting right above the elbow area, so bad to where I can hardly throw the ball. Does anyone have any suggestions to how I can eliminate this. Any suggestions will be well appreciated.