Catching a pop-up

[Tucson]

Yeah, I know about Jim Abbott. But, it was already like I was talking and couldn't shut up.

Not using 2 hands, gives the runner a complete step while you are getting your bare hand up there.

Perhaps, the player misunderstood. If not, I would be worried about what else this coach is teaching.

[cheetah'smom]

Coach said you can throw the ball in quicker catching 1 handed. He said you will never see a college softball player catching a pop-up 2 handed. DD will be working with 2 college coaches this Sunday; I will ask them their opinion.

[Martin]

Perhaps this is one of those times when your DD smiles and does what her HS coach tells her to do, then never - ever - uses the technique again. She's in HS now and should be able to make this simple adjustment without completely destroying her fundamentals. She could build up plenty of ill-will with her coach over this rather minor issue.

Just be glad the coach isn't completely changing her swing and move on.

[Tucson]

Here is Candrea and Amanda Freed, catching a fly ball.

http://www.sportskool.com/videos/fielding-flyballs

[Judd]

Here is Candrea and Amanda Freed, catching a fly ball.

http://www.sportskool.com/videos/fielding-flyballs

Surely they dont know more than the HS coach

[rbi]

Coach said you can throw the ball in quicker catching 1 handed. He said you will never see a college softball player catching a pop-up 2 handed. DD will be working with 2 college coaches this Sunday; I will ask them their opinion.

I guess my question for the coach would be, if you want me to field a fly with one hand, where the heck is my throwing hand supposed to be when I catch the ball, down to my side? That dog dont hunt. And my next question would be to have coach explain how it is quicker to field with one hand? I would love to hear the answer!

Now, sure there are times when you cannot get two hands on a fly ball, for example when you are outstreched or making a diving catch, but by rule of thumb, use two hands for two reasons, one to assure that ball is not coming out of glove, and two quicker transfer to throwing hand.


Like one of my coachs used to tell me, "when you get paid for doing this then you can use one hand, until then two hands dammit!!!"

[cheetah'smom]

DD isn't in high school yet; we won't allow her to be disrespectful to coach, but when coach talks she basically lets it go in 1 ear & out the other. Husband was shocked to hear coach say this & wanted me to pose the question to all of you.

[Lunatic Fringe]

Use 1 hand if using a fork to spear the ball and 2 hands if using a glove.

Does the school coach provide forks or gloves? I've often thought my dd would do better with a fork.