Catchers drills

[Judd]

I am helping out on a 12U rec team and there is a girl who wants to catch and try to catch for her school team next year. Right now I believe she is our only catcher as well. I would like to get some advice on how to help her.

First her stance. She is squating all the way down onto her knee savers. With runners on base, should she be in a more up position, ready to throw the ball?

She is not dropping to her knees to block balls that are in the dirt. Any drills to help with this?

Any drills that she can do at home to help her be a better catcher? Any that dont require gear would be good as she is currently using team gear

[xxxYerOut]

First her stance. She is squating all the way down onto her knee savers. With runners on base, should she be in a more up position, ready to throw the ball?

You want your catcher to raise up off the knee savers and quietly slide inside or outside (depending on pitch location) as the pitcher begins their windmill. This should be done on every pitch, not just when runners are on. Your catcher will never be able to come up quickly to snag a pitch missed high when "sitting on the couch". This will also put them into a better position to kick the toes under when it is time to drop and block.

Teaching your catcher to provide a low target at the bottom of the strike zone just might help your pitchers keep the ball down. So often at the earlier ages you see the catchers holding the glove up under the chin as it is easier to support the weight of the heavier catchers glove. The receiver's arm should be horizontal, not vertical. This will help in developing a quicker transfer to the throw and make it easier to turn the glove over on a low pitch and/or plug the hole to block.

PROTECT THE THROWING HAND BY HOLDING IT BEHIND THE BACK OR AT HER THIGH. We drill these girls to use two hands when they catch a ball and it can be difficult to break that habit with new catchers. The throwing hand should never come out until the ball has been caught. One foul tip and you quickly become a spectator on the bench.

She is not dropping to her knees to block balls that are in the dirt. Any drills to help with this?

Draw a line or a "(" shaped line and have you catcher get into position with her toes behind the line. When they drop to block you want your catchers to kick their toes under and land with the knee guards behind the line. You want them to learn to kick out, rather than falling forward into the hitter's zone. The body position is upright, slightly leaning forward (11 o'clock). The chin is tucked to close the gap under the mask and the glove is plugging the hole between the knees.

Once they are dropping into a good blocker's position, you can start throwing balls, bouncing them 6-12 inches in front of them and teach them how to keep the ball out in front. Blocking, not catching these should be the focus. Hold the position once in a while and look for holes.

As you progress, use the "(" shaped line to learn to move left or right. The angle is important as you want the ball out in front toward the plate.

Any drills that she can do at home to help her be a better catcher? Any that dont require gear would be good as she is currently using team gear

Throw the ball a lot.

Getting use to moving with gear on is important. Our catcher's do almost everything, but hit with their gear on (yes, especially running). Without gear, you can work on coming up out of receiver's position throwing the ball on the bag at 2nd. Snap throws to 1st and 3rd can't hurt either. These should also be done often in gear.

A few lessons with a qualified catching coach can go a long way. Mechanics and footwork are so important in becoming a good catcher. If your player is serious about wanting to do this, it will be money well spent.

If you have a pitcher taking lessons, offer to catch for her. The more pitches she sees will help her learn to read and react to different types of pitches.

[Judd]

Thanks XXX, I will work on these with her.

Any other drills that would help her as acatcher? I was thinking of the rapid fire, where she is on her knees and I throw balls one after the other at her. Maybe to help with her reaction time?

[catchingcoach]

Thanks XXX, I will work on these with her.

Any other drills that would help her as acatcher? I was thinking of the rapid fire, where she is on her knees and I throw balls one after the other at her. Maybe to help with her reaction time?

Judd, check your Private Messages

Coach Weaver