Shall we.. stance?

Let’s learn throwing drill number two in our series in becoming great overhand throwers. This drill we are 30 feet from our partner if the player is young, this is also the distance I used when working with a 14U girl’s Fastpitch team. The older players should be at 45 feet. How far is that, you ask? Well, if one partner is on the foul line, it is half way to second base( 90 for base paths), and 30 feet is half way when using 60 foot base paths. The player get himself or herself in a position that feet are about three to four feet apart, depending on one’s height. I want to encourage the players to get a little uncomfortable- challenge oneself when choosing the distance. We will again start the drill with throwing hand and properly gripped ball in glove, glove at center of gravity beneath the chin at mid chest height. The player will begin the drill with a weight shift to the throwing side leg. Simultaneously, we are rotating the glove side shoulder back towards the chin, as we get into our rotation back, we will take the ball from the glove with fingers on top of the ball. Our throwing hand will get into the Magic Circle, we will propel the ball forward, with a nice wrist snap at ball release. After releasing the ball our throwing hand should continue finishing at glove side hip area. This drill emphasizes weight transfer from back to front. This is an absolute in proper throwing mechanics. This drill also teaches the rotation of the trunk, the ball from glove separation, the ever lovely Magic Circle, as well as extension and finish with the throwing arm. This drill also pre sets proper alignment to the target. A straight line could be drawn from heel to heel when doing the drill. The stance drill also teaches proper back foot and leg action. One can see in the video how the throwing side foot rotates from flat, pushing down into the ground to shoe laces down. The angle of the shin becomes parallel to the ground. This is a great drill that helps break down the throwing mechanics and can be performed at every practice, 6-8 repetitions. The drill can also be done away from the practice field. A player can do this in the gym, in the house or in the back yard.