With only 19 weeks of NCAA-sanctioned practice time, baseball programs must get creative with indoor and auxiliary space to prepare arms for the season. In this highly valuable and informative video, Dave Hieb shows how he prepares his entire roster by utilizing indoor space in the gym and turf on the football field. Coach Hieb shows off a hidden gem of a baseball workout he’s created and refined while utilizing the facility space that’s available – with a workout regimen that focuses on the fundamentals of throwing and catching – while using the built in and painted lines and structure presented within these athletic facility locations. In this athletic facility environment, Hieb shows viewers the benefits he’s seen from focusing his team’s efforts on the three primary pillars of throw work: Dry Drills, Throwing Drills and Footwork Drills.
Dedication and focus on the often-overlooked aspects of throwing – such as throwing direction and throwing intent – allows baseball players of all defensive positions the opportunity to master the critical skill-set of throwing and catching, while executing the physical movements needed in live-action, game-like situations.
Dry Drills, Throwing Drills
Coach Hieb begins by showing viewers the painted lines on his athletic facility’s gym floor and football field as examples that can allow coaches to use focused efforts in practice that help improve a fielder’s footwork and throwing direction.
Using the width of the football field and the hash marks, for example, or the volleyball boundaries in the gym, Coach Hieb explains how these commonly-found facility markings can provide a perfect perspective and set of boundaries for a throwing program focused on improving fundamental throws and catches. If an athletic facility doesn’t have similar paint lines or taped boundaries as ready-to-use markings available, Hieb shows viewers how to use towels and lay them out as an alternative set of lines and boundary markers for any of the 12 Dry Drills he covers to improve throwing. Critical skills covered in these Dry Drills include:
‘Balance Points’ (such as pitchers set, balance, power, and finish positions),
‘Quick Turns’ (perfect for middle infielders perfecting double-play mechanics) and
‘Fly Balls, Ground Balls’ (which help outfielders focused on fielding and crow-hopping for fundamental throws).
For his ‘Throwing Drills,’ Hieb explains how a laser-like focus on both throwing and catching allows for perfecting fundamentals, regardless of position. As he goes through each drill, Coach Hieb explains the key ‘throwing musts’ for each position, including:
1) Every throw must be made with intent and precise targets,
2) Pitchers must focus on aiming for the partner’s belt while executing defensive throws,
3) Infielders must aim for one another’s chest on throws,
4) Outfielders must focus on the recipient’s head while throwing, and,
5) Catchers must rep throwing while making the transition from the chin and ear area.
Coach Hieb covers 13 drills that encompass each of these defensive positions and their responsibilities for throwing accurately and receiving athletically. For pitchers, Hieb focuses on four priorities for effective throwing:
1) Accuracy,
2) Pitches that change speeds,
3) Pitches that move, and
4) Velocity.
Accuracy is emphasized and perspective is discussed in utilizing a variety of pitch grips while playing catch at various distances. Pitching approach to properly stagger the gap between fastball, slider, curve, and changeup velocities is a focal point of Hieb’s throwing routine. The coach explains how a 10-to-12 mph progression from fastball to changeup must be mastered to effectively throw pitches that change speeds and move.
Footwork Drills
Keeping true to the focus and philosophy of ‘intent’ during drills, Coach Hieb outlines a variety of footwork drills that emphasize both speed and game-like situations – including moving quickly while staying accurate on throws and using the ‘big muscles’ on every throw that is relevant to your position.
The coach stresses that once each player properly masters the fundamentals, they can speed up their execution of game-like throwing drills and rely on muscle memory and technique – which will help them execute when the competitive pressure is on.
Hieb’s philosophy is to start slow and do the basics better than everyone else, starting with playing catch. Each position has a key set of footwork drills within the 12 Drills demonstrated in this section, including:
1)Pick Movements (pitchers playing catch by executing inside and outside turns),
2)Catcher Transfers (let the ball get deep and keep your feet in a straight line to target),
3) Infield Situations (such as throws to 1st, double-plays, and ‘anywheres’ that allow athletes to be athletes), and,
4)Outfield Situations (ground ball and fly ball footwork preparing for a game-deciding throw).
Utilizing indoor or multi-purpose space in an athletic facility can make or break a baseball program that relies on weather cooperation or limited resources. Coach Hieb covers over 35 throwing/catching drills that can be done inside a gymnasium, while allowing for a full baseball roster to prepare for the upcoming season. Viewers will learn how to take their practices and throwing-workouts to the next level!
69 minutes. 2022.