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Fans love offense=
and
seeing a lot of runs scored, but teams win with good defense. Defense sta=
rts
with good pitching, and a team will have a hard time being successful wit=
hout
a good pitching staff and a catcher who can handle them. But defense also
involves the entire team. Playing good defense means players must execute=
the
basic skills well.
Everything in def=
ense
revolves around being able to catch and throw the ball. It serves no purp=
ose
in trying to master a complicated play before learning to catch and throw
properly; a team can't expect to execute a double-play when one guy can't
throw the ball and the other one can't catch it. Players should spend mos=
t of
their time on catching and throwing because without those skills defensive
play will always be inconsistent.=
The key to improv=
ing
the basic skills of catching and throwing the ball can be accomplished by
using proper mechanics when warming up in practice. Players should focus =
on
executing the following five things:
- Begin the
catching-moving-throwing movement as the ball approaches to develop a
proper and consistent rhythm, moving the feet to get to the ball rat=
her
than standing still and reaching.
- When the ball is in t=
he
glove, players should begin to "give" with the hands toward
the throwing position and shift the feet simultaneously and in rhythm
into position and shift the feet simultaneously and in rhythm into t=
he
throwing position. He should learn to roll the ball for a cross-seam
grip.
- Players shouldn't pra=
ctice
pitches in warm-up. No curveballs, knuckleballs, etc.. Players should
practice the throwing skills that they will need in game action.
- Develop consistent co=
ntrol,
players should throw at a target on every throw. Control isn't just =
for
pitchers. Catchers who can't throw accurately to second, or shortsto=
ps
who throw into the dugout as often as they do to first base, lack
control. <=
/li>
- Overload the arm in w=
arm-up
to develop arm strength, doing a little more each day. Players can
overload their arms by increasing the length of time they throw or t=
he
distance they throw. Players should start the warm-up at a short
distance and gradually lengthen the throws to that of the longest th=
row
they must make during a game
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