Need some coaching advice on teaching pickoff moves.

[ladiesbballcoach]

My son's team moves into the Major division that begins to allow leading off, live stealing (rather than waiting till the ball crosses the plate) and balk moves.

 

I have been trying to gather some information on the rules behind on what a balk is and ain't.

 

Also, what are the best pickoff moves to teach?

 

And lastly any drills to have the catchers do to teach throws behind the runner and footwork to have the quicken up their throw?

 

Thought BGP is the best resource I know of and thus the thread. Anyone got any suggestions, advice, know the balk rules?

[STRIKE3]

Have him do a "jump step"....where is right foot disengages with the rubber and his left foot, points toward 1st. Have him attempt to throw, on the 2nd base side of first, to help with a sweep tag.

 

Drills for throwing behind runner....have catcher set-up, with legs under him and his rear end, a little higher. Pivot right toe toward first and then pop toward 1st, while staying down and throw to inside of base.

 

Repeat each, as it will take many, many times to work on footwork and timing.

[Ms Liberty]

Have him do a "jump step"....where is right foot disengages with the rubber and his left foot, points toward 1st. Have him attempt to throw, on the 2nd base side of first, to help with a sweep tag.

 

Drills for throwing behind runner....have catcher set-up, with legs under him and his rear end, a little higher. Pivot right toe toward first and then pop toward 1st, while staying down and throw to inside of base.

 

Repeat each, as it will take many, many times to work on footwork and timing.

 

Good advice and well stated.

[madduxace]

Make sure to stress that they do not drop their elbow. Most H.S kids first move is to lower their elbow then throw. This allows for too much time and the runner will always beat the throw back. It needs to be almost like a catchers release after the pivot. ( This is of course RH pitchers to first or second)

[stickymitts]

Nice work gentlemen. As for explaining a balk, good luck. It may be the toughest thing in all of sports to explain.

[cvillecat]

Nice work gentlemen. As for explaining a balk, good luck. It may be the toughest thing in all of sports to explain.

While coaching many years ago I had an umpire call a delayed balk. Any one familiar with this call? It was a Babe Ruth game and I had never heard the call made before and never heard it again.

A balk was called, the pitcher made the pitch and the hitter hit a HR. I argued that since the balk was called it was a dead ball, a ball added on the pitch count and runners advance a base. The ump allowed the play to stand and I lost the argument and the game.:lol:

[SCbaseball08]

Most balks involve the pitcher not coming set. So no matter what make sure they come to a complete stop before they throw the pitch.