Category: Throwing
Type: Drill
MACHINE GUN THROWING
This is an adaptation of an old basketball drill called, " machine gun passing." We call it machine gun throwing. We put pitchers, catchers, and all position players through this drill. It can be run during preseason indoors ( in Minnesota we spend a good share of our early season inside ) or during the season outdoors.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED: 2 baseballs and 8 players with gloves.
DRILL SET UP: Put 7 players in a straight line approximately 3 to 4 feet apart with the player at the far right holding a baseball. Put 1 player facing the line of 7 approximately 15 feet away from the center player in the line of 7. The player facing the line of 7 also has a baseball.
X8 X7 X6 X5 X4 X3 X2
X1
Coach will say, "Go." Player 1 throws his ball to player 3. At the same time player 2 throws his ball to player 1. As soon as player 3 catches the ball he throws it back to player 1. As soon as player 1 catches the ball from player 2 he throws it to player 4, and so on down the line. Player 1 works his way down the line to player 8 and then back up the line to player 2. At this point player 1 flips his ball to player 3, player 2 replaces player 1 ( player 1 then goes to the end of the line ) and everyone rotates up one spot and the drill starts over again.
X1 X8 X7 X6 X5 X4 X3
X2
We believe this is an excellent drill for developing quick hands and quick feet. It forces the players to catch the ball with two hands. If he catches it with one hand he can't get rid of it in time before the next ball is coming at him. It also teaches our players the importance of stepping at your target because you have to shift your feet in a different direction before throwing to the next person in line. A player who is lax or sloppy with his glove or feet is easily spotted in this drill.
It really is not as complicated to run as I have made it to look on paper.
Submitted by: Rod Schwarz
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