Throwing development is not about seeing how hard or how far a player can throw. These are the eight lessons Coach Bass's Throwing Development program teaches.
The Purpose of Throwing
Throwing development is about building a complete thrower — not simply seeing how hard or how far the ball can be thrown.
Throwing has a purpose. We are developing the ability to make quality throws repeatedly from different distances, movements and positions. The program will build distance, accuracy, movement, position work and the ability to compete. Follow the progression instead of trying to prove something on every throw.
What to look for
- Quality comes before maximum effort
- Build the thrower over time
- Accuracy and control matter
- Every throw should have a purpose
Common mistakes
- Treating every throwing session like a velocity test
- Trying to throw as far as possible every day
- Ignoring accuracy
- Adding extra throws just because the arm feels good
Build an Athletic Thrower
The goal is to use athletic movement, balance and body control as the foundation for throwing.
A good throw begins with an athlete who can move under control. Whether you shuffle, charge, retreat, recover or change direction, your job is to get organized before the ball leaves your hand. Move with purpose, regain control and make the throw.
What to look for
- Stay athletic
- Move under control
- Maintain balance
- Get organized before throwing
- Let movement help the throw
Common mistakes
- Moving faster than you can control
- Throwing while off balance
- Adding unnecessary movement
- Standing upright through the play
- Rushing the throw before the body is ready
Direction
The goal is to organize the body and throwing movement toward the intended target.
Know where the throw needs to go. As you move and organize, work toward the intended target. Good direction helps the body work together and gives you a better chance to make a quality, playable throw.
What to look for
- Know the target
- Organize toward the target
- Use movement that helps the throw
- Finish toward the target
- Stay balanced
Common mistakes
- Drifting away from the target
- Throwing across the body without control
- Moving in one direction and throwing in another
- Rushing before getting organized
- Sacrificing direction to create more effort
Throwing Rhythm
The goal is to build a smooth, repeatable throwing rhythm instead of forcing each throw.
Let the throwing session build gradually. Start shorter, settle into your normal movement and allow the distance to increase as the session progresses. The goal is for the throw to stay smooth and controlled as the distance changes.
What to look for
- Start under control
- Stay relaxed
- Build gradually
- Keep normal throwing movement
- Let the session develop
Common mistakes
- Starting too hard
- Rushing to the longest distance
- Changing the throw as distance increases
- Forcing the ball to the target
- Treating every throw like the last throw of the day
Build Carry
The goal is to develop useful throwing distance and carry without turning the throw into a maximum-effort heave.
As the program moves you farther away, keep using your normal throwing movement. The goal is controlled carry — a throw that reaches the target with useful flight, direction and accuracy. Distance only helps if the throw remains playable.
What to look for
- Build distance gradually
- Maintain normal movement
- Use controlled momentum
- Keep the ball on line
- Make the throw playable
Common mistakes
- Throwing at maximum effort
- Changing the throwing motion to reach farther
- Sacrificing accuracy for distance
- Falling away from the target
- Continuing to move back after quality has disappeared
Accuracy
Throwing accuracy is a skill that should be trained and measured consistently.
Accuracy means making the throw to the intended target under control. Focus on one throw at a time. Use the same test conditions when progress is being measured, record the actual result and do not change the standard just to improve the score.
What to look for
- Focus on the intended target
- Make one controlled throw at a time
- Use consistent test conditions
- Record the actual result
- Reset after every throw
Common mistakes
- Rushing through accuracy work
- Changing the target distance during a comparison test
- Counting a miss as a hit
- Trying to create extra velocity
- Letting the previous throw affect the next one
Position Throws
Position throwing is about completing the play, not simply throwing the baseball or softball.
Every position creates different throwing situations. Read the play, move the way the play requires, secure the ball, organize the body and finish with a quality throw. The throw is only one part of completing the play.
What to look for
- Read the play
- Move with purpose
- Secure the ball
- Organize before throwing
- Finish the play
Common mistakes
- Thinking only about the throw
- Rushing the fielding or receiving action
- Throwing before securing the ball
- Using the same movement for every position play
- Sacrificing accuracy for speed
Compete
The goal is to maintain quality, control and decision-making when throwing becomes competitive or game-like.
Competition does not change the standard. Read the play, control the movement, organize the body and make the throw. When a throw is scored, record the result honestly and move to the next rep. Compete one throw at a time.
What to look for
- Stay under control
- Trust the work already completed
- React to the play
- Finish with a quality throw
- Compete one rep at a time
Common mistakes
- Rushing because the drill is competitive
- Trying to throw harder than normal
- Changing the scoring standard
- Letting one poor result affect the next rep
- Chasing the score instead of completing the play
Train it
The Throwing Development program puts these lessons into a plan: what to throw, how much and when. That part is for members.