Always stretch out before throwing. Simple arm swings, elbow pushes and trunk twists will limber up the muscles and protect the player from injury.

Footwork - Block (45 to 90% angle) with throwing-side foot, step with glove-side foot. Step towards the target and follow through. Much of your power comes from the momentum created by the legs.

Preparing to throw:

Thumb to Thigh

1) Bring the ball down, back, and with the up elbow flexed. Take your Thumb past your thigh on the way back.

Ball to the sky

Show ball to the sky Keep Elbow flexed slightly Hand back - Elbow about level with shoulder Elbow leads ball, fingers behind ball. Throwing over the top increases accuracy and distance, and decreases the possibility of injury. Ball will spin backwards if thrown properly. This spin increases loft so the ball flies straighter and more accurately.

Follow through on your throws by bringing the Throwing Side Hip around on your follow through

Play catch- this seems simple, but you will see players at all levels practiceing their throwing and catching skills by playing catch.

Throw the ball straight up with lots of spin - catch with both hands in front of face.

Throw easy pop flies - try to get as much backspin on the ball as you can.

Flies: Try to move to the ball and catch it in the center of the body with two hands. Catching with 2 hands is the prevents the ball from popping out of the glove and provides a quick transition of the ball from the glove to the throwing hand.

Another key element in playing catch is "Fingers Up, Fingers Down," depending on whether the ball is above or below the belly button. Discourage "slapping" at the low ball with the fingers up.

Squat for ball thrown in the midsection, catch the ball fingers up and in the center of the body.

Throw line drives, ground balls, pop ups, short hops, etc. Have them get low on ground balls. Get that head down. Look for the button on top of their hats as they field grounders. (You should be able to see it when they are doing it properly.)