Clip of Softball Receiving

[catchingcoach]

Here is a clip of the receiving technique we teach at our camp. The catcher is in a no-runner on stance. She is receiving pitches to her left, middle, and 2 to her backhand.

Her goal is to get to the spot before the ball arrives so when the ball hits the glove the glove does not move. Hold for a short pause, then throw back to pitcher.

Any comments or questions encouraged.

Just click on the link below

http://s115.photobucket.com/albums/n294/catchingcoach/Receiving%20Softball/?action=view&current=SoftballReceivingABC.flv

[wadeintothem]

I'd take that over massively inside. When I caught I was taught never to set up directly middle.. always offset a few inches one way or the other.

[catchingcoach]

I'd take that over massively inside. When I caught I was taught never to set up directly middle.. always offset a few inches one way or the other.

Many 12U catchers and younger do not have pitchers that can even begin to hit their glove/target consistently. When those pitchers are throwing many catchers are better off setting up straight up on plate. As the pitchers begin to hit target with some consistently I have the catchers begin to move off the middle.

[xxxYerOut]

I'd take that over massively inside. When I caught I was taught never to set up directly middle.. always offset a few inches one way or the other.

Many 12U catchers and younger do not have pitchers that can even begin to hit their glove/target consistently. When those pitchers are throwing many catchers are better off setting up straight up on plate. As the pitchers begin to hit target with some consistently I have the catchers begin to move off the middle.

I disagree. IMO it is in 12u you have to start teaching your catchers to grab the corners (if you aren't doing it already in 10's). How else will your pitchers hit the corners consistently if your target is not set up there? Especially inside.

I am amazed how many pitchers we saw this weekend alone that could not go inside consistently. Teams were crowding the plate and our own pitchers weren't taking the inside the ump was giving them. My DD was complimented after the game by the umpire for taking the corner back. That was the second time this month she heard that.

[catchingcoach]

I'd take that over massively inside. When I caught I was taught never to set up directly middle.. always offset a few inches one way or the other.

Many 12U catchers and younger do not have pitchers that can even begin to hit their glove/target consistently. When those pitchers are throwing many catchers are better off setting up straight up on plate. As the pitchers begin to hit target with some consistently I have the catchers begin to move off the middle.

I disagree. IMO it is in 12u you have to start teaching your catchers to grab the corners (if you aren't doing it already in 10's). How else will your pitchers hit the corners consistently if your target is not set up there? Especially inside.

I am amazed how many pitchers we saw this weekend alone that could not go inside consistently. Teams were crowding the plate and our own pitchers weren't taking the inside the ump was giving them. My DD was complimented after the game by the umpire for taking the corner back. That was the second time this month she heard that.

XXXyerout,

I absolutely agree with you. I teach my students to setup on the corners at the 10U level. However, If they are catching a pitcher that is throwing all over the place they may do better just trying to get her to throw to the plate. Many of the catchers that come to my clinics do not play travel ball and do not have the opportunity to catch pitchers that are very accurate.

Also, the catcher shown is a very accomplished 12U catcher who is always on the corners in her games. I wanted her set straight up to show the 3 basic glove positions for receiving and how those glove positions are based on where the ball crosses the plate.

After a catcher masters this I begin to move them left and right of center.

The purpose of the post was to show basic stance and quiet glove work on all sides of the plate.

[NM FP Ump]

IMO, the catcher waits (after receiving the ball) the appropriate amount of time. Anything more MAY be disrespectful to an umpire (if the crowd is giving him/her heat about the strike zone). I agree with the other posters, at 12U the catcher should be shifting to the targeted area before the pitcher starts her windup (depending on the experience of the pitcher). But I see the purpose of your clip.

The one thing I hate, as an umpire, is when the pitch location is high and inside (riseball) and the catcher keeps the glove right in front of my face!!! Very distracting, tough to see the pitch enter the zone. My suggestion to catchers is to tell them to hit the umprie in the mask (which is at the top of the strike zone, if I'm working the slot); the catcher can disguise this pitch well if she does that.

[kingskid]

I think this girl is low and tight. I think her form looks very nice. The one thing that caught my eye is how tight she stays and that tells me she would most likely have good fook work to get down and block.
Nice Form but I do think she should set up a little more in and out.

[catchingcoach]

I think this girl is low and tight. I think her form looks very nice. The one thing that caught my eye is how tight she stays and that tells me she would most likely have good fook work to get down and block.
Nice Form but I do think she should set up a little more in and out.

kingskid,

I teach all my students that with no runners on to get "small". Low is a good thing. Also, I want them to be quiet back there. I want as little motion as is needed to get to the pitch. I want all movement done before the ball hits their glove. It should look like the pitcher threw the ball straight into her glove every time.

This catcher does block very well. I will post a clip of blocking in a separate post.

And as I have stated earlier this catcher was set up on the middle of the plate so I could better show the 3 glove positions as they relate to where the ball crosses the plate. In a game or warmup session she would be set up with her middle in line with either edge of the plate.