Top Catcher Drills To Do At Home

Each spot has a different way of framing as framing an inside pitch is not the same as a low pitch. Doing this quickly and in multiple sets will get the catch to remember the movements of his body and will teach them to instinctively frame a pitch without thinking about it. Framing, of course, is the most fundamental responsibility of a catcher. Framing refers to how and where you hold your glove hand when receiving a pitch. Catch the ball with both hands near your chest instead of gripping it tightly between your fingers. That will help reduce stress on the wrists and armpits and make it easier to throw accurately.

If the base runner breaks late for second, forced off the bag by the approaching batter (because they don’t know the rule either), the catcher’s play is to second. Nail that runner, and with the batter automatically out, you get two outs instead of one. With more than 30 years of coaching and officiating, I have collected some observations concerning the general status of the average catcher. I will say at the start, that the catcher is one of the most critical positions on the field, and yet, in general, one of the least coached. I say that because I rarely encounter one, especially at 12U, that understands the fundamentals of their position. If the catcher and pitcher work together during every game and practice, the catcher becomes familiar with the pitcher’s tendencies and will know when there’s a problem.

You want to be nice and low in your stance, giving a clear target for the pitcher. You should be in a relaxed position with your legs slightly wider than your shoulders and your toes angled out, allowing your hips to be open. Just because you have gear on, doesn’t mean you’re completely protected from injury. As a catcher,you will take foul balls off every part of your body, batters will hit you on the back swing, wild pitches will find you where your gear isn’t.

You must be both a wall and a swift frog on a lily pad, ready to snatch an approaching wild pitch from two feet out. Many people compare the position of catcher to that of being a goalie in ice hockey. While they are fundamentally different in terms of the purpose, sport and range, when it comes to athleticism and man on man collisions, the two are closely related. A catcher’s mentality should be even stronger than his physicality. This is saying something because physically speaking, catcher’s are usually the strongest amongst their teammates. The throwing technique should be smooth and effortless, with your back leg leading the way.

Practicing each day is a great way to stay on top of your game, but there are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind as well. This makes it easy for them to receive any pitch that catches even the edge of the plate by shifting their weight that direction. They still keep the glove in the middle of their body. They can avoid “reaching” for pitches using this technique. When shifting their weight toward the ball they are able to keep their shoulders level at all times. The look they present to the umpire is one of control, and one that says that this pitch is being caught on the catcher’s midline, it must be a strike.

Have a pitcher throw with runners on base and have your youth catchers in the correct catcher’s stance behind the plate. In softball even more than baseball, the catcher can make the critical difference between a win and a loss. In 12U softball, there is the dropped third strike rule. Furthermore, the base runner can leave on the release by the pitcher rather than the ball reaching the plate. With the plate 4 feet closer to home than in baseball, and the runner with a major head start in a theft attempt, the catcher has a slimmer chance of throwing the runner out.

The other aspect is the ability to throw out base runners. Even for the fan that walks up and watches a fast pitch softball game for the very first time, it’s easy to see how important the catcher is. What seems like a very simplistic position is, in fact, very complex. I have previously talked about Catcher positions, and in today’s article, I am going to talk about a specific play for the softball catcher – the Shift and Block. Of all the everyday positions in baseball and softball, Catcher may be the most important. From pitch calling to setting the defense, it is the only position that is involved in every pitch of every game.

This is one of the main reasons why the catcher position is such a hard one to play. In many cases, the catcher will need to keep the focus on the batter rather than the runner. A catcher in customary squatting position (wearing a “hockey-style” mask) prepares to receive a pitch. This article is about the baseball and softball position. There are very few things I do with catchers that would be considered cookie-cutter. Grasp a dumbbell with both hands under the inner plate and position it over your chest with your elbows slightly bent.

Perfecting your stance will help you be in the most athletic position possible to always keep the ball in front and prepared for any situation. Read below to figure out the difference between the two catcher stances and the fundamentals of both. You would be shocked to learn that your actions and those of your teammates can occasionally impact 4 seam fastball vs 2 seam borderline calls. As a catcher do everything you can to stop an out-of-control ball. Once you’ve mastered these basics, work on improving your reactions using video simulation software or practice drills at home. Your elbow should always remain close to your body, and your hand should stay relaxed and low to control the ball better.

Repeat this drill between three and five times while wearing full catcher’s gear. Grab your catcher’s mitt and a rubber baseball or softball and throw the ball low against the wall so it will bounce on the ground on its way back to you. Vary how hard you throw the ball so you can practice fielding at faster and slower speeds. The catcher is a critical element of the game and is playing the most difficult position, both mentally and physically.