Sport Skill Analysis: Summary of BaseballSoftball Cues and Progressions.

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Sport Skill AnalysisSummary of
Baseball/Softball Cues and Progressions.

• By Richard Fielder
• Source Ann Asbell in EXSS 360 at Oregon State
  University.

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Introduction

• The following presentation is a summary of how
  one might teach basic skills involved in
  baseball/softball.
• This presentation will cover catching and
  overhand throwing.

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Catching

• Progression
• No glove, soft, softball
• By self, toss in air
• Toss to each other, short distance, increase
• Underhand toss w/ regulation ball (if necessary
  progress to regulation ball)
• Use glove, repeat previous steps
• Overhand throw w/ glove

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Catching cont.

• Critical Elements or Cues
• Move to get in line with the ball as it leaves
  the throwers hand.
• Show a target to thrower glove up, open, ready.
• Soft hands some flex to elbows
• Stance- forward to back stride contra lateral
  foot slightly forward.
• Ball down fingers down, ball up fingers up
• Watch ball disappear into hands/glove
• Give with the ball.

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Catching cont.

• Errors
• Hands to stiff, wrong position.
• Catch to the side, not move to position.
• No give.
• Not catching in pocket.
• Taking eyes off the catch to soon.
• Not using two hands when glove is in poor
  condition or when not using a glove.

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Catching cont.

• Safety
• Ball matches ability level, maturity.
• Hands not soft mold.
• Miss the pocket.
• No give
• Ability of players is mismatched.

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Final Note on Catching

• If not using a glove, use both hands to catch.
  Beginners should also use the throwing hand to
  secure the ball in the glove however, the free
  hand must be behind the glove or out of the way
  while the ball is thrown.

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Overhand Throw

• Progression
• Grip, ready position, body motion, arm motion,
  wrist release and follow through.
• Short distance wrist snaps first
• Always start from a comfortable distance, build
  up.

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Overhand Throw cont.

• Critical Elements or Cues.
• Preperation Opposite foot and shoulder forward.
  Opposite arm/elbow point to target, weight on
  back foot.
• Preparation Ball in fingers palm of hand not
  touching the ball grip seams.
• Preparation Look at the chest of the
  reciever(their glove if they have provided a
  target).

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Overhand Throw cont.

• Critical Elements or Cues cont.
• Extent wrist on backswing (cock wrist)
• Step w/ foot opposite throwing arm.
• Rotate torso then shoulders(rotate opposite
  shoulder away from the direction of the throw
  using opposite arm or elbow to initiate rotation.
• Lead throwing arm with elbow.
• Hand catches up and is just outside elbow when
  ball is released.
• Advanced form shown by clicking on button.

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Overhand Throw cont.

• More Critical Elements or Cues.
• Release(flex) wrist as last motion of throw, just
  past peak of cap.
• During arm swing, upper arm should get to
  parallel position to ground, 90 degree angle to
  body.
• Finish w/ arm across opposite hip, thumb pointing
  down and back, weight on forward foot.
• Distance throws use full wind up (down and
  around)
• Quick short throws Draw arm back like drawing a
  bow.

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Overhand Throw cont.

• Errors
• Grip in palm.
• No pivot poor shoulder rotation.
• Wrong foot.
• Elbow leads too close to body.
• Poor wrist action.
• Insufficient follow through.

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Overhand Throw cont.

• Safety
• Ball not matched to maturity, hand size.
• Not starting esy, throwing too hard.
• Lines too close wrong directions.

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Conclusion

• As you can see there is a lot involved in being a
  competent catcher and thrower. These skills are
  essential in softball and baseball and can be
  carried over into other overhand sports as well.

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