Basic Baseball Mechanics Bob McCreary Baseball by the Yard .com http:www.baseballbytheyard.comvideos View the videos in conjunction with these notes for explanation of concepts and mechanics Basic Catching and Throwing Palms Facing High
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Presentation Transcript
01
Basic Baseball Mechanics Bob McCreary Baseball by the Yard .com
http://www.baseballbytheyard.com/videos/
View the videos in conjunction with these notes for explanation of concepts and mechanics<br>
02
Basic Catching and Throwing Palms Facing
High five, above the waist
Low five, below the waist
Step to the Ball
Gain momentum towards your target
Step to the ball with glove side foot
Front Side Closed
Baseball eyes towards your target
Less strain on your arm especially on larger fields
Thumbs Down, Fingers on Top of the Ball
Sets up arm for a proper path to grab the fence.
Flexible wrist
Elbow/Head
Elbow at shoulder height or higher
Eyes level, steady head<br>
03
It All Starts with Defense Set Up
1-2 Baseball Ready at every pitch. Move to the balls of your feet
Square up your feet
Corner Infielders glove down, Middle Infielders glove in front
Outfield, step, square up, hands on hips
Infield Basics
Two Triangles
Feet and head, feet apart, good athletic position
Glove and feet, glove out in front
Head down, nose in the glove, should see button of cap
Outfield Basics
Drop step to side ball is hit
Run on balls of feet
Square shoulders and body to where the ball is going, not where it is
Catching Basics
Feet apart, establish a wide base, good balance
Receive ball like you are steering a car
Bury throwing hand behind your ankle or the glove if a runner is on
Tag and Bag Basics
Tag in a capital V, not sweep or U
Straddle the bag, Tag to the bag, not the runner<br>
04
Hitting….Movement Conservation Stride or Not?
Depends on ability to make contact
Stay balanced
Load or Not?
Slight shoulder turn, in and down
Weight shift to back foot
Hands inside
Quickest path to the ball
Promotes good hip turn
Front Foot-Back Foot
Only one foot moves at a time
Balance and Direction
Contact Point
Most important
T Work Drill-Start at point of contact, work back
Follow Through
Follow through is important for proper momentum<br>
05
Pitching Basics Keep in Mind…. Its not rocket science
Pitching does not have to be too complicated
Keep it to basic concepts
One size does not fit all
Ok for every pitcher to be unique in some way
Good for your pitching staff to have different looks
Quirkiness vs Health Hazard
Coaches do not have to iron out the quirk but need to address the health hazard
Pitching is not completely safe
Very unnatural movement for an elbow of go above the shoulder, or shoulder to rotate forward
Effective pitching and coaching takes time<br>
06
Basic Pitching Mechanics Part one The set up
Feet shoulder width apart
Hands in front of the belly button
Knee Kick
Slight above parallel to the ground
Good balance
Foot under the knee
Hands together
Front Side Approach
Hands separate when the leg starts to come down
Front side is closed, baseball eyes on target
Head is up, eyes are level
The Landing
Stride long enough for pitcher to land flat footed
Land on a straight line to the plate
Slight bend in knee at point of landing, allows momentum to continue Part Two Two E’s. Elbows and Eyes
Elbow at or above shoulder level
Glove elbow at the hip
Eyes are level. Don’t tilt your head
Rotation and Finish
180 degree turn, start to finish
Glove at the hip
Leg, up and over the bucket
Bend, head, back, hips are parallel to the ground
Don’t emphasize defensive position too early, (only 90 degree rotation
Common mistakes
Pitchers go from tall to small
Infielders go from small to tall
Kids need to make that transition when they go from fielding to pitching<br>
07
Roy Halladay: Baseball Eyes on target, leg kick parallel to the ground, grab the fence, finish Cole Hamels: Fingers on top of the ball, thumb to the thigh, bend and step over the bucket Steve Carlton: Using the lower body for torque and power, grab the fence, pitch tall to small<br>
