Catching and Catchers discussion Catcher Help

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Knee savers make lazy legs. You should not be sitting on the back of your feet. The proper catching position is in the up and ready position so you can drop to your knees to block the ball if needed or make a throw. I instruct a catching class and the first thing I do is make everyone take off the knee savers. They need to build up their legs and stamina, not add comfortable padding for their butts. There are about a million throwing drills out there but the best way to strengthen her arm is alot of throwing with the right form. Start close and increase the distance making sure she follows through and uses her body.
 
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If she can make the throw from her knees, why not. It will just add to her arsenal of pick off options.
 
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I noticed no "knee savers." ?My daughter was advised at an Ohio State camp not to use them and has not since. ?(It goes against the advice of our physical therapist friend, who is not treating her) What are your thoughts?
My daughter has been a catcher since age 9, now 14. Her Aunt was also a catcher without the knee guards. Blew out both knees and has had multiple knee operations, by adulthood playing adult softball, from summer leagues up. We support the knee guards. ;) Just my 2cents.
Even with her shin/knee and slideing knee guards her knees get a beating just from playing softball. We figure why chance it? She will be an adult sometime with a career. Might need those knees. ;)
 
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Oh and her aunt has said a few times, I wish we had those when I was catching back then.
 
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Don't use them, They Make you lazy, you can get lower and close your feet easier when you don't use them.
 
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Don't use them, They Make you lazy, you can get lower and close your feet easier when you don't use them.

Not true...

My daughter has absolutely no problem getting low, throwing from her knees, stoping balls in front of her, side to side stops, or being lazy. (And shes not a tiny girl as you can see in the photo.) ;) Well MAYBE a couple here or there but very rarely. :p

Almost every single tournament last season, We had the umpires and coaches come to my DH or I and compliment our daughters ability as a catcher. Told us shes one of the best they have seen in a very long time. ;&
She was initally taught to stay low so as not to block the view of the strike zone from the umpire. But she can jump up to stop a wild pitch quite quickly. Not many runners try to steal second once she gets the first runner that tries.
We, will continue using the knee guards and I will still recomend it to young catchers starting out.
But like the catching coach says on here, Just dont sit on the any longer than to call the pitch. We agree 100% and DD doesnt sit on them.
BUT,
To each his own! ;)

Wgman21 Thanks for the link. We have read through quite a few of the drills and made add a couple to practices with our DD.
I also love the fist behind the glove tip. It sure makes sense.
DD was always told to keep it behind her back. That will help her be even faster! WOOHOO!
 

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