Baseball Throwing Accuracy Drills

In baseball, throwing accurately with a glove is just as fundamental as swinging a bat. Here, we explore the importance of precision in these throws and introduce drills to enhance this key skill.

The Foundation of Baseball Throwing Drills

Understanding the basics of proper throwing mechanics is crucial. These key points are essential when players perform any baseball throwing drills:

• Four-seam grip: This grip ensures the ball travels straight, aiding in accuracy.
• Elbow positioning: Players should keep elbows above their shoulders throughout the throw to help maintain accuracy and reduce strain.
• Targeted shoulder: The front shoulder should always point towards the intended target.
• Step towards the target: Movement should be directed towards the target, whether pitching or making a field throw.
• Follow through: Players should always continue the motion towards the target after the ball has been released.

Baseball Throwing Accuracy Drills: From Theory to Practice

These principles can be implemented through specific drills designed to reinforce accurate throwing.

1. Four-seam grip
2. Stable base: Feet should be hip width apart.
3. Ball positioning: Move the ball “out and up” from the glove, ensuring the hand is above the ball.
4. Shoulder alignment: The front shoulder must point directly at the target.
5. Focus on mechanics
6. Weight shift: Players should initiate the motion by shifting the weight to their back foot.
7. Elbow dynamics: The elbow should be kept above the shoulder throughout the throw.
8. Complete the follow-through
9. Hip rotation: A pronounced hip turn should be present in the finish.
10. No striding: Encourage a shorter stride to enhance control.
11. Full motion: Players should return to the starting position to extend the throwing motion fully.

Basic Accuracy Drill: Target Throwing Drill

• Position: Players should stand 15 to 20 feet from the target in the power position.
• Execution: Players will throw towards a marked target. Each accurate throw scores a point only if the power position is correctly executed.

As players improve, gradually increase the distance to challenge their accuracy without compromising the power position mechanics.

Advanced Accuracy Drill: Strike Zone Hitting

• Add a challenge: Place a ball on a batting tee.
• Scoring: Points are awarded for hitting the strike zone, with additional points awarded for knocking the ball off the tee.

Watch this drill in action.

Integrate these drills into regular practice sessions to enhance the accuracy and mechanics of baseball throws, which is essential for successful gameplay.

Baseball Coach Neil Anderson’s Notes: Baseball Throwing Accuracy

1. Visualization: Play the movie in your head of you executing a perfectly mechanically delivered pitch or perfectly fielded ground/fly ball and throwing a ball on target to where you want the ball to be thrown.
2. Close the Loop: Before every throw, understand well EXACTLY where you want to throw the ball.  After EVERY throw, see where the ball ended up and ‘close the loop’ in your mind by knowing ….”Next time I want it to be ____(higher/lower/more to the left/right)”
3. Speed/Accuracy Drill: There are two muscle types fast-twitch and slow-twitch. Mixing in throwing a tennis ball (lighter weight) to help develop fast-twitch muscles will also help with speed and accuracy as your body learns to adapt.

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