The Backhand Part 2

The Backhand  Part 2

    The second way to field a backhand is with the closed hips. This technique is used most often when the player is on the run and is unable to set up for the throw. This ball has more velocity and requires the player to go further. The player will field this ball off either foot but their hips are closed off to the rest of the infield. It is important that the player has their body as low as possible so that their eyes are in good position to see the ball. The player needs to have a good glove angle and depending on how far they have to run may not be able to get the ball out in front, but they should keep their glove down and avoid the common problem of sweeping the glove through the fielding zone. Once the ball is caught again the player has multiple options on how to throw this ball to the target.

        -Option 1: This is the preferred option, but is not necessarily the most commonly used option because it requires more time. This requires a relatively hard hit ball, and an average to below average runner, or a ball that the player was able to attack and backhand while moving forward. After the catch the player will plant their right foot and shuffle back towards the target throwing the ball and following through with at least 3-4 steps. Again like the open backhand the common problem is an over throw, to avoid the player should keep the front shoulder down and use a short arm action.

        -Option 2: This is the most commonly used and a relatively easy technique to perform, but requires some arm strength. This is used when there is an average to above average runner on a medium hit ball. In this option once the player catches the ball they will plant their right foot and push hard off of that foot to throw towards the target. This requires some arm strength to make an accurate throw in time. Also the hips must rotate through to get the required velocity on the ball. Again the common problem with this is the over throw because often the player will lean back to make this throw, the other problem that I often see is a bad throw directionally, because the player is pulling hard with their front side the ball tends to go up the line because the arm is dragging. To keep from throwing up the line the player should be sure to finish the throw, following through with the throwing arm. It is also important to use the legs during this throw and to attempt to keep the throw down by getting behind the ball, not under the ball.

        -Option 3: This is the most difficult of the throwing options and should be used as more of a “do or die” last resort. This is used when either below average velocity on the ball, or an above average runner. This option requires the player to make a throw on the run. This move requires very good arm strength and the player is often unable to use their legs to make this throw because they are still traveling in the opposite direction. There are two ways to complete this technique; the throw on the run where the player will essentially spin and throw and the “Derek Jeter Jump Throw”. The spin technique is the easier and more common of the two, the player will throw the ball while doing a quick 180 degree spin. The jump throw requires well above average arm strength and body control. This is a beneficial move if the player has the desired qualities because of the push from the jumping leg, the neutral position that the body is placed in allowing the hips to rotate through, and it allows the player to throw on a more “down hill” plane. This technique is very difficult and many players do not realize the amount of arm strength it takes to make that throw in time.

Trust is the most important part of the backhand, if the player does not believe that they will catch the ball, then they will pull up and out away from the ball. Players need to keep their face down there near the ball in order to have the best angle on the ball.

        The backhand can be very beneficial to a player that struggles with arm strength or struggles with range. The reason why I prefer to teach a back hand is because there are several balls the player try to catch with a forehand, but by doing so it puts them in a bad position to throw. The backhand, especially the open backhand, can put the fielder in a much better position to throw the ball than catching a forehand moving away from the target.

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