Catching a Softball via a direct throw or hit
This skill analysis will break down the skill of catching a softball by a direct throw or hit. The skill will also include being able to make the correct adjustments so that you can line yourself up for a throw. I will also provide a few key elements for successfully completing this task. Teaching cues will also be available to make the process of learning the skill easier to understand and execute.
Preparatory
· Knees bent*
· Feet in forward stride, glove side foot ahead
· On glove hand, point fingers up*
· Throwing hand and glove hand at about neck level*
· Focus on ball*
· Line up body to ball
· Shift weight forward
· Meet ball out front
Execution
· Use two hands, squeeze ball
· Start shifting weight back, begin pivot
· Give with the ball*(Use soft hands)
· Two finger grip on ball in glove
Follow Through
· Continue to shift weight back
· Glove side toward target
· Glove elbow points to target
· Weight on back foot
· Arms extend, move ball to throwing position
· Throwing wrist extends
Teaching Cues * indicates teaching cue
· Squat (Knees bent)
· Block the punch (throwing hand and glove hand at about neck level)
· See ball in (Focus on ball)
· Top of glove points to the sky (On glove hand, point fingers up)
· Soft hands (Give with the ball)
· Reach, give, and prepare to throw
· Turn, step, throw
Lead up tasks
· One lead up task for middle school students would be, each student would find a partner and stand about 10-15 feet apart from each other. Both partners would kneel on their throwing side knees. The partner receiving the throw would be able to focus on catching with both hands out in front, fingertips of the glove up, and soft hands. This exercise also allows the thrower to work on the proper throwing turn while not having to concern themselves with the lower body movements. Throwing distance may be increased or reduced depending on how confident each partner feels.
· A lead up task for high school students would have two partners facing one another and standing about 10-15 feet apart from each other. Using gloves, one softball, and underhand tosses, the partners would toss and catch back and forth for 15 catches each. When catching students should make sure to stand in a forward stride position, with their glove side foot ahead. As part of the catch each student should focus on bringing the ball to the throwing position. The students should also be focusing on the “reach (for the ball), give (soft hands when catching the ball), and preparation to throw.” To increase or decrease the difficulty the thrower may throw the softball from further or closer distances at varying speeds (Potter and Brockmeyer 16).
Lead up Game task
· For a lead up game you could have generally the same set up as the previous lead up task. Two partners about 10-15 feet apart facing one another, and they would toss and catch the softball as in the previous lead up task. This time however there would be a student or a target diagonally across from the person catching the softball as if they were the first baseman. As you focus on the “reach and give” you want to try and prepare yourself as if you are going to throw to that base. This task should not be done until there is a comfort level with the skill of the direct catch of a softball. This challenge will help with the transition of having to make a throw to a base and having to square your body to the target.
High School lead up task diagram
· “Reach (for the ball), Give (soft hands when catching ball)”
· Forward stride position, glove side foot ahead
· Both hands out in front
Middle School lead up task diagram
· Both hands out in front
· Fingertips of the glove up
· Reaching for the ball and soft hands
Bibliography
1. National Fast Pitch Coaches Association (2002). The Softball Coaching Bible. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics Publishing Company.
2. Brockmeyer, Gretchen & Potter, Diane (1999). Softball Steps to Success. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics Publishing Company.
3. How to Catch a Softball. Retrieved March 15, 2009, from http://www.ehow.com/how_15782_catch-softball.html
This skill analysis will break down the skill of catching a softball by a direct throw or hit. The skill will also include being able to make the correct adjustments so that you can line yourself up for a throw. I will also provide a few key elements for successfully completing this task. Teaching cues will also be available to make the process of learning the skill easier to understand and execute.
Preparatory
· Knees bent*
· Feet in forward stride, glove side foot ahead
· On glove hand, point fingers up*
· Throwing hand and glove hand at about neck level*
· Focus on ball*
· Line up body to ball
· Shift weight forward
· Meet ball out front
Execution
· Use two hands, squeeze ball
· Start shifting weight back, begin pivot
· Give with the ball*(Use soft hands)
· Two finger grip on ball in glove
Follow Through
· Continue to shift weight back
· Glove side toward target
· Glove elbow points to target
· Weight on back foot
· Arms extend, move ball to throwing position
· Throwing wrist extends
Teaching Cues * indicates teaching cue
· Squat (Knees bent)
· Block the punch (throwing hand and glove hand at about neck level)
· See ball in (Focus on ball)
· Top of glove points to the sky (On glove hand, point fingers up)
· Soft hands (Give with the ball)
· Reach, give, and prepare to throw
· Turn, step, throw
Lead up tasks
· One lead up task for middle school students would be, each student would find a partner and stand about 10-15 feet apart from each other. Both partners would kneel on their throwing side knees. The partner receiving the throw would be able to focus on catching with both hands out in front, fingertips of the glove up, and soft hands. This exercise also allows the thrower to work on the proper throwing turn while not having to concern themselves with the lower body movements. Throwing distance may be increased or reduced depending on how confident each partner feels.
· A lead up task for high school students would have two partners facing one another and standing about 10-15 feet apart from each other. Using gloves, one softball, and underhand tosses, the partners would toss and catch back and forth for 15 catches each. When catching students should make sure to stand in a forward stride position, with their glove side foot ahead. As part of the catch each student should focus on bringing the ball to the throwing position. The students should also be focusing on the “reach (for the ball), give (soft hands when catching the ball), and preparation to throw.” To increase or decrease the difficulty the thrower may throw the softball from further or closer distances at varying speeds (Potter and Brockmeyer 16).
Lead up Game task
· For a lead up game you could have generally the same set up as the previous lead up task. Two partners about 10-15 feet apart facing one another, and they would toss and catch the softball as in the previous lead up task. This time however there would be a student or a target diagonally across from the person catching the softball as if they were the first baseman. As you focus on the “reach and give” you want to try and prepare yourself as if you are going to throw to that base. This task should not be done until there is a comfort level with the skill of the direct catch of a softball. This challenge will help with the transition of having to make a throw to a base and having to square your body to the target.
High School lead up task diagram
· “Reach (for the ball), Give (soft hands when catching ball)”
· Forward stride position, glove side foot ahead
· Both hands out in front
Middle School lead up task diagram
· Both hands out in front
· Fingertips of the glove up
· Reaching for the ball and soft hands
Bibliography
1. National Fast Pitch Coaches Association (2002). The Softball Coaching Bible. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics Publishing Company.
2. Brockmeyer, Gretchen & Potter, Diane (1999). Softball Steps to Success. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics Publishing Company.
3. How to Catch a Softball. Retrieved March 15, 2009, from http://www.ehow.com/how_15782_catch-softball.html
