Footwork for Catchers & Arm Angle for throw to 2nd base.

Question
I've got a catcher on my team that does not have good footwork and has a sidearm delivery to 2nd. I've  tried several times and several different mechanic drills that I've learnerd. With the sidearm delivery he's throwing into right-centerfield
Any tips, drills you could possibly pass along to me would be greatly considered.

Answer
Side arm throwing is usually developed from a combination of poor footwork and a fear of hitting the batter with the throw.

The best way to correct footwork problems is with shadow work or mirror drills.  I place my catchers in front of me and have them simulate throws to 2nd.  I yell out a variety of positions I want them to be in and they have to get into the correct body and foot position.  Many practices we will do this for an hour straight.  It gets a little boring, but accomplishes our goal.

For throwing over the top and not sidearm, I would recommend having the catcher practices with a long exaggerated arm movement.  Big circles.  This is similar to how you would teach a very young player how to pitch.  

To be honest, I take most of the sidearm throwing catchers who come to my clinic and give them a first basemans glove and tell them that unless they can correct this deficiency, they better get use to the big glove because that is all they will ever play.

I highly recommend that you also get some private instruction for this player.  Contact your local community college and ask for a private lesson.  I think you will find that most are very affordable and can correct a great number of deficencies within two lessons.

Best of luck and hope the ball bounces in front of the plate always.

Coach Stauffer
Macomb College Baseball