Clip of Catcher Blocking

[catchingcoach]

Below is a link to a clip that will show the mechanics I teach for blocking. The 12U catcher was told the pitch was a fastball. The pitch velocity was around 30MPH for this drill. I was approximately 20 feet from home plate. The reaction time that gave her to read the pitch and execute the correct block was equal to that of a 60MPH pitch. She was not told where I was going to be throwing the pitch so she had to read location then block.

You will see that this particular pitch hits right at her glove but she makes no attempt to "catch" it with her glove. Doing so usually results in the glove actually pushing the ball farther away from you.

You will also see that she does not fall foward onto her knees. Her knees drop where her feet used to be. Many girls use the technique of falling forward to block where their feet stay put and they fall forward onto their knees. On a fastball I want my catchers to stay back and have their knees replace their feet. I do not want to fall forward and add energy into a fastball which will only force the ball farther away from them.

This student must keep all block balls between the 2 white lines in front of her and behind the plate to get credit for the block in a training session.

Quations or comments welcome!

[img][IMG]http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n294/catchingcoach/th_SB-Block-Mid.jpg[/img][/img]

[Jitterbug]

Great technique. Do you teach that a little more bend of the upper body to prevent the rolling of the ball forward once the ball hits her chest protector?

[catchingcoach]

Great technique. Do you teach that a little more bend of the upper body to prevent the rolling of the ball forward once the ball hits her chest protector?

Yes, had this been a ball that would have travel up her body some she would have finished the block off by turning her body intothe letter "C" over the ball to draw off all the energy and assure that the ball would stay close. This catcher reads the ball so well she will adjust mechanics to flight of ball.

I may have a clip shot from the side I could post. I will have to check,

Coach Weaver

[Fasterpitch]

How many fastballs do you see in softball. Seems like most of the time the wild pitch's are to the left or right of the plate. Your white tine drills would not come into play.

Wild pitch straight up....should not be a problem and you would not have to lean over much at all. Just replacing your feet/knee's would be good. On a wild pitch in or out you could be to tall and the balls could shoot off way foul.

[catchingcoach]

How many fastballs do you see in softball. Seems like most of the time the wild pitch's are to the left or right of the plate. Your white tine drills would not come into play.

Wild pitch straight up....should not be a problem and you would not have to lean over much at all. Just replacing your feet/knee's would be good. On a wild pitch in or out you could be to tall and the balls could shoot off way foul.

When I teach blocking I let the younger girls (12U and younger) know that when they and their pitchers get older many times the only time a pitch will go in the ground is when they call for it. While their pitches are learning their craft a pitch can go in the ground at any moment. But as the pitchers get older and more experienced the "surprise" pitches in the dirt will diminish.

The fastball block I showed was to show coaches the first block to teach a catcher. Catchers need to master this block first so they can progress to other pitch locations.

Actually blocks to the right and left are done with the same standards, keep the ball in between the white lines. If the block is executed correctly to the sides the catcher should end up with her chest back square to the plate. I teach that a ball in the dirt to the left or the right is a perfect opportunity to pick off a runner. Many coaches assume that a ball in the dirt is a free base for them to advance. I teach that if the ball is in the ground and you run, I call that an out.

I think I have a few clips of one of my catchers blocking to the sides. I will check and post if I do.

[Fasterpitch]

I can say that I can understand your point of view, and you back it up well.

I agree with most of it. I always like learn different points of views.