Catching Drills

BULLPENS
An overlooked area by some coaches and players is a catcher's preparation in the bullpen. For a catcher who will spend most of their day in the pen, this is their game time. This is their opportunity to get better and work on every phase of their game. To do this a catcher must wear full gear in the pen. If you catch with only a mask than how will you get better on blocking balls in the dirt? You have to go full speed in the bullpen, it helps the pitcher get game ready and makes you better. Time spent in the bullpen is not time to feel sorry for yourself because you're not in the game, but to improve your overall game so that you will be the one behind the plate and your catching partner will spend their days in the pen. Take pride in yourself and your work ethic.

CATCHERS DROPPED 3RD STRIKE


Coach stands behind catcher who assumes a normal crouch position. Coach will roll ball to different places behind catcher and will then yell "ball"! Catcher must go into blocking position then come up quickly, locate the ball, and throw to first base. The first baseman will read the location of the ball and will call 'inside' for a ball to the left of the first baseline or 'outside' for a ball to the right of the baseline. If this drill is practiced often enough it will virtually eliminate a catcher panicking on a dropped 3rd strike.

Another variation of this drill has a runner on 3rd base (less than two outs). The catcher looks the runner back to 3rd, delivers the throw to first, then positions himself for a throw back to the plate. Baserunner decides if he should attempt to go home.

CATCHER FIELDING BUNT


Coach stands behind catcher and simulates bunt by rolling ball down first or third baselines or directly in front of catcher.

For right handed catcher make sure for bunt down third baseline that ball is fielded with back to pitchers mound. Catcher "scoops" ball into glove with both hands then rotates and throws to first using a good crow hop. Bunts in front of plate or down first baseline are fielded with left shoulder facing first base. Again scooping ball and using crow hop.

An added variety to this drill has the coach calling the base to which the catcher is to throw. This makes the catcher react to the call.

THE ROLE OF A CATCHER
The catcher must be the teams leader. They have the entire field in front of them and are able to read and react to every situation. While the ball is in play, they are the only position that never has there back turned towards the action.

Everything must go through the catcher. They are responsible for calling pitches, keeping up the pace of the game, reacting to all situations, and also being an on-field psychologist. They must be able to get everything out of their pitchers and their teammates.

You've heard the old cliche that a championship team must be strong up the middle. That begins with the catcher. A teams destiny can lie in the hands of their catchers. If a team is short on talent, experience, and desire behind the plate, then there championship hopes have diminished. Conversely, if a team has a fierce competitor that will be able to inspire the team and motivate them to new heights, than the possibility of greatness will exist.

A catcher must be able to anticipate all situations from bunt defense to relay communications. The catcher must take into account the speed of the runner, the playing conditions, the type of athletes involved, the game situations, the playing surface, and other important aspects. A catcher must have had enough drilling and practice that they do not have to think about the situation in much detail. They must be able to react and respond to the situation given.

The catcher has to be the toughest guy in the yard. He must take command and demand respect and performance from his pitching staff and other position players. When a crucial situation arises, the catcher must step-up and take charge of the game.

CATCHING PITCHERS

The catcher's position is the most demanding in baseball. During the course of a game, the catcher is the busiest player on the field-crouching behind the plate, blocking balls, keeping track of the count on each batter, repositioning teammates defensively, and so on. So select a sturdy, smart, and strong youngster to be your catcher.A catcher's mitt is padded and rounded so that the ball easily lands in the pocket. The extra padding also helps ensure the safety of the player using the glove.

Basic Position:
The catcher assumes a comfortable crouching position about 2 feet behind the plate. The catcher uses his glove to give the pitcher a throwing target. The catcher can move the target around the plate to give the pitcher an inside or outside target. Have catchers protect the throwing hand from foul-tipped balls by placing it behind the back of the leg.With the legs shoulder-width apart, the catcher keeps the weight on the balls of the feet so he is ready to move in any direction for a poorly thrown ball. Staying low helps the catcher avoid being hit by the swing of the batter and allows the umpire to see the baseball as it crosses the plate.When a ball is pitched in the dirt, the catcher should try to block the ball and keep it in front of the body.

Throwing out Base Runners:
With runners on base, your catcher should be in the up position; Feet shoulder-width apart and the right foot slightly in front of the left. The glove hand should be extended away form the body, providing a large target. The back should remain parallel to the ground. This position will allow your catcher to receive the pitch and throw to a base quickly. When a runner attempts a steal, the catcher should lean into the ball just before catching it, making sure not to come forward too soon, which could lead to an interference call if the batter swings and hits the catcher.While catching the ball, the catcher should quickly move the glove-side leg forward into the throwing position , rotate the shoulders parallel to the batter's box, and bring the glove hand near the ear, where it should meet the throwing hand. The catcher can make the throw by transferring weight from the back leg to the front leg, rotating the shoulder, and following through. The follow-through involves bringing the throwing hand to the opposite knee while stepping towards second base with the throwing-side leg.

CATCHER FRAMING

1) Shadow
Catcher starts out in their stance. Coach holds a ball in front of the catcher and moves it around the strike zone. The catcher follows the path of the baseball and frames the area. The catcher should work on body movement and catching the ball in halves.

2) One Knee Underhand Toss
Coach gets on one knee five to ten feet from the catcher. The coach will underhand toss a ball to the catcher. The catcher will work on body movement and catching the ball in halves. The benefit of this approach is that the coach is close enough that they can be more accurate with their toss and work all areas.

3) Medium Toss
Coach stands up and throws pitches to a catcher from 40-50 feet. This allows the catcher to track the ball from a longer distance. The catcher will still work on body movement and catching the ball in halves.

4) Catching Batting Practice and Bullpens
This is as close to a live game situation as a catcher can experience. It is very important that a catcher not go through the motions when catching batting practice or a bullpen. This must be a highly intense environment and must be taken seriously.

CATCHER SIGNS


1) Mirror Drill
Catcher gives signs in front of a mirror. The catcher will be able to see what the pitcher sees. This gives the catcher an idea of how easy or difficult they are to read.

2) Practice Setting
When catchers are working on other skills, have them go through the entire sequence of events, starting with sign giving. This gives the coach or partner an opportunity to witness and critique any problems.

GLOVE TO THE BALL - KNEES TO THE GLOVE


I think the two primary skills for high school catchers are blocking and throwing effectively. These two skills take the longest to develop, and therefore are the two we spend the most time working on. I would like to share our techniques for developing blocking skills. The basic process cue is : "Glove to the ball - knees to the glove". The difficulty is that most try to do it the opposite way. The teaching process is this;

1. In a catcher's stance, no glove, 3 balls arranged in a shallow triangle. The first ball is dead center behind the plate, the second to the right and forward, the third to the left and forward. Balls 2 and 3 are even with each other. Catcher falls forward to the ball on his hands, then brings both knees to his hands. Do this with each of the balls, emphasizing that the angle of the body must deflect the ball onto home plate.

2. In a stance, with glove. Catcher puts glove to the ball, then brings knees to the glove. Do with each ball position 'til the move comes easy.

3. Full gear, throw soft balls (tennis or indoor balls). Catcher blocks by glove to ground/ball then knees to ball. We are short tossing at this point.

4. Full distance soft ball toss. Same process.

5. Hard balls, short throws.

6. Full distance throws medium speed to called area.

7. Full distance throw hard to called area.

8. Full distance throws to varied areas.

Once we are satisfied with the technique development, we work regularly in bouts of 50 blocks, 10 at a time. Catchers work in pairs. In season we cut back to 25 blocks What we have seen is that catchers will cup over the ball naturally using this technique. They become active players, like infielders charging the ball, rather than targets for missiles. The final step is to add block the ball then get up and recover it. This is the best and quickest method I've seen and/or used. Hope it helps.

THREE BALL DRILL – PIVOTS ON THROWING TO SECOND BASE


1. REPLACE THE FEET PIVOT (ball 1 or 2 in diagram)
Most used because most of the pitches are inside and to ¾ of the plate to the outside (right handed batter).

a. Back foot (right foot) comes forward to the heel of the front foot (left foot)
b. Left foot slides forward, shoulder points to 2nd
c. Throwing arm in box position, fingers on top of the ball

2. PIVOT AND THROW (ball 3 in diagram)
Used when the pitch is on the outside of the paint of the plate.

a. Pivot on the toes of the right foot
b. Left foot slides forward
c. Throwing arm in box position, fingers on top of the ball

3. JAB STEP AND THROW (ball 4 in diagram)
This technique is used the same as for a pitch out.

a. Right foot steps to a 45 degree angle forward and to the outside of the plate
b. Left foot slides forward, shoulder closed
c. Throwing arm in box position, fingers on top of the ball.

CATCHER - UMPIRE RELATIONSHIP


Some notes which works for me in making catchers understand the Catcher-Umpire relationship throughout the game.

1. The Catcher needs an umpire...without one there is not game. Mr Umpire is going to be there no matter what.

2. Good honest conversations...as the game goes on it is important that the lines of communication are open.

3. Don't try to trick or embarrass an umpire...give him the respect he deserves as an official of the game.

4. If there are question on pitch locations, ask the Umpire if it is your method of receiving the ball that is causing the concern. Your Framing, Swaying or Positioning may be affecting his view.

5. Receiving pitches on the Lower-Inside & Lower-Outside are the most difficult. Ask the Umpire if your technique is correct. The Catcher may have to work on "Sticking the Pitch" & "Raking the Pitch".

6. Is the catcher trying to make "a ball" "a strike" too much, honesty in where the pitch is located.

7. When a Catcher is "Vocal" and knows the Defense an umpire knows he will deal with the "Coach on the Field", "The Catcher". Very seldom will I as a catching coach have to make a trip to the catcher in a game. If I have to talk with him it will be between innings and not during a game.

8. Umpires are human and make mistakes, so he owes you one, and he knows it!

9. A good Blocker of the ball is very important...protect Mr. Umpire and he will reward you.

10. If a catcher uses the Hook Method of retrieving on pass balls, this saves the catcher from running into the umpire while attempting to retrieve the ball.

11. Proper Pop-Up Method...again keeping the catcher away from bumping into the Umpire while picking up the flight of the ball. There are many drills out there to work on proper Funnelling, Framing, Swaying, Sticking & Raking the Pitch, Pass Ball Technique, and Pop-Up Technique. Good Blocking Technique - knowing how to "Round Out" "Glove Then Knees Technique " & Quickness Drills. One that comes to mind is Bob Morgan at Indiana (excellent tape on some of these techniques). But, all in all, a Catcher again is the "Coach on the Field" and he must earn his respect from Mr Umpire - by knowing his position - a Catcher.

Finally, anytime I hear someone call the catching gear "Tools of Ignorance" will get my undivided attention. Catchers are NOT STUPID and the equipment they wear are the "Tools of Excellence". Catching is the most demanding and most important position on the field and the catcher should be given much attention in preseason and in practices, treating them as number one. Especially when it comes to batting practice - the catcher should be the first one, Number One. It is the Coach who is Stupid for not coaching number one - The Catcher.

SETTING UP FOR PITCHES
A sure give-away to a hitter is for a catcher to give their signs and immediately set up inside or outside. A catcher should give the sign and location for the pitch they want called and move to location as the pitcher begins his motion. An important point is for the catcher to get the glove up and give the pitcher a target as early as possible. Again, don't give away location too early. More so, give the pitcher a reference point to immediately focus in on.

When a catcher is setting up for a fastball to be thrown right down the middle, the catcher should cheat slightly to the backhand side. The reason for this is it is easier to move and catch an errant pitch to your glove hand side than it is to your backhand side. Unless you are calling for a pitch up in the strike zone, your glove should target the bottom of the zone. If the target is mid-thigh and your pitcher hits his target the ball may land 400 feet away, if the target is at the knee, the pitcher has a greater chance of success if they hit their spots.

Once the pitcher gets ahead in the count, the catcher should set up for pitches differently than if the pitcher is behind in the count. If an outside pitch is called, the catcher should set up off the plate about three inches. Having command of the strike zone will increase the chances of the umpire giving you the outer half. The same holds true for the inside pitch. The only difference is that instead of setting up three inches off the plate, you only need to set up one inch off the plate. It is important to remember one of the cardinal sins of baseball; never hit the batter when you have them down in the count.

Once a pitcher falls behind in the count it takes away some of the latitude from the umpire and the catcher. If the catcher calls for a pitch away, they need to set up on the plate. You want the pitcher to hit the outer third or the black. Again, the same holds true for the inside pitch. You don't want to fall behind even further. Set up on the corner and give the target on the plate.

When a breaking ball is called, the catcher can still cheat slightly to the backhand side. They must again target the bottom of the zone. The glove must be at the knees. Mentally, the catcher must assume the ball will be in the dirt. Always be ready to block all balls in the dirt.

When the pitcher gets ahead in the count and a breaking ball is called, the catcher will set up on the plate and want the ball in the dirt. You want to try to get the hitter to chase the breaking ball and get himself out. Again, be ready to block all balls in the dirt. When the pitcher is behind in the count, the catcher should set up on the plate and target the bottom of the zone. In this case we want a rhythm breaking ball thrown for a strike. An important tip to the pitcher and the catcher; if you are going to miss, miss down and toward location. You won€t get hurt if you miss down. However, if you miss up in the zone, bad things will happen.

STANCE
A catcher can assume two different types of stances. One is used without runners on base and less than two strikes, and one is with two strikes on the hitter or runners on base. For the most part, both stances have similar qualities. The major difference is preparing your body to block pitches at the appropriate times.

Without runners on base and less than two strikes on a hitter, the catcher will have their weight resting on their instep. A catchers center of gravity should not allow them to get caught lunging at pitches or falling forward.

The feet should be tow-to instep with each other. For a right-handed catcher, the left foot should be slightly ahead of the right foot. Balance should be evenly distributed over both feet. This will allow you to shift in any direction without any obstruction.

The glove arm should assume a relaxed position. The fingers should be pointed up and be tension free. The elbow should rest under or slightly angled away, not to the side of the hand so that the fingers are horizontal. The catchers elbow should also rest slightly outside the knee.

There are few different positions for the throwing arm to rest without runners on base and with less than two strikes. The most important aspect is to keep it out of harms way. It can either rest behind the back or the leg.

Your brain should be focused. You must maintain your intensity for the entire game. The team can't afford to have a lapse in concentration from their catcher. Be ready for all situations that could occur.

With a runner on base, or with no runners on and two strikes, the catcher must make an adjustment. There is no change in weight, feet placement and glove arm positioning. However, there are other changes with the throwing arm, feet placement, and brain functions.

The throwing arm should move from behind you body to behind the glove. Place a closed fist behind your glove. There may be a fear that the hand will be hit by a foul ball. However, foul balls change plains. If you closed hand is behind you glove as you attempt to catch the baseball, you will be protected. The major advantage for placing your throwing hand begin your glove is to better facilitate a quicker glove to the hand exchange when you need to throw. if your throwing arm is placed behind your back or leg, it will take you longer to exchange the ball from your glove to your hand and throw, as opposed to having the throwing hand right next to your glove.

Don't sacrifice your target. A common idea is for the catcher to raise up in their stance into a "more athletic" position. However, when you do this you also put your glove in a higher position. This gives a pitcher a higher target and also gives him a false sense of security. Keep the target low and be prepared to block all balls in the dirt, retrieve all balls in the dirt, throw all retrieved balls, and be prepared for any situation.