Quote:
Originally Posted by Hammock Parties
might be crazy here but....this movement looks super practiced, and not "spontaneous"
very interesting toe drag there - DJ, give us some insight
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#infielderstuff
It's spontaneous but it isn't, if that makes any sense. I very much doubt he practices that anymore, but it didn't come naturally to him either. Playing infield for as long as he did, he's done that thousands of times on plays ranging to his left. He might do it a bit going to his right on the infield, but if you're going right, you probably need a little more ass into your throw and that doesn't quite work in baseball because you're moving away from the 1b bag (You'll raise that foot, plant and hop to re-set).
It's how you keep your base when you don't have time to re-set and you don't want to lose your momentum. If he raises that foot, he's throwing on one leg and that's not good. If he doesn't move that foot, he has to shut down his momentum. By just toe dragging it, he's able to continue his momentum and keep a decent base. I suspect it also creates a pivot point that helps you turn your shoulders.
I notice myself doing it during infield warmups on occasion. And perhaps not coincidentally, it's usually when I'm just looking to get a quick sidearm release.
Honestly, I'm not sure it's taught. I don't recall ever being taught to do it. But if you find yourself in that position often enough, your body just kinda does it for you. I think it's all about staying square and keeping your base.
Fellas - if you want your kids playing QB someday, have 'em playing infield. I see the 'modern' QB doing things that I picked up in little league damn near every week.