I've enjoyed the debate and information presented here on catcher mechanics. I've got a question on throwing technique. A fast transfer is useless if the catcher takes too long to release the ball. What is the favored hand position as the throw is initiated. I've seen catchers tuck the ball close to their head with an elbow angle less than 45 degrees... others closer to 90 degrees and others still almost straight back. With catchers being rated on pop time and velocity, what's the recommended technique.

A catcher's "arm slot" can vary from player to player. Look at the flight of the baseball for clues regarding arm position prior to releasing the baseball. If the catcher is sticking his arm straight out, that is an issue that should be worked out.

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Good point. Alot of kids want to load up before they throw the ball. They will reach back with the arm in an attempt to put a little more on the throw. What they may gain on velocity is far out weighed by the time lost in the release. Alot of bad habits are learned when kids have to make a throw that is longer than they have the arm strength to make properly. So they compensate with poor mechanics in an attempt to get it to the bag. Learn to make the throw properly and if it one hops because your arm is not strong enough to throw in on a line so what? As you work to build arm strength and get older and stronger you wont have to spend all your time learning the proper way to throw down to second base. Short quick release staying behind the baseball. For young catchers moving up to 90' bags they have to understand that most do not have the arm strength to make a throw on a line using proper throwing mechanics. Better to throw properly and come up a little short in the early years than reaching the bag with a long slow throw with poor mechanics. Build arm strength with long toss, core work, ther-bands running, alot of running and proper weight training. Work on sound catching and throwing mechanics and find someone in your area that is qualified to help teach you the posistion. And dont worry about your pop time untill you have the arm strength to make the throw (with proper throwing mechanics).

When looking at throwing mechanics be sure to also take a look at the role of the glove side hand. What a player does with the glove hand can also affect the throw in many ways.