drills

CATCHING: REACTION DRILL I was a high school catcher and we had several drills we incorporated into practice. Two which I have just recently revived are reaction type drills: The purpose of the first is to get beginning catchers (or rusty veterans) used to seeing a flying object come directly...

CATCHING: REPETITION DRILL The best thing for catchers is repetion, throw 50 balls in the dirt for blocking the plate, make them throw 50 to second off the pitch. A good one for flies is have them crouch with the coach on his knees in front off her, with ball in hand stretched out so the...

CATCHING: WILD BALL DRILL Keep a full bucket of balls on the pitchers mound, and throw every ball in the dirt in front of the catcher. Vary the pitches - some to the glove side, some right at the catcher, and some to the backhand side. After throwing all the balls in the bucket into the dirt...

CATCHING: TRIO DRILL Hi, I've been playing softball for 6 years and just started catching 2 years ago. On our team we do a drill that involves the catcher, the pitcher and the short stop. What happens is the pitcher pitches the ball, when the catcher catches it the pitcher drops to the ground...

CATCHING: SIDE TO SIDE SPEED DRILL I have been a high school catcher for 3 years now. A very good drill we did to enhance speed and the ability to move from side to side quickly was to get behind the plate in full gear, and have the coach or pitcher throw or pitch balls to both sides of you...

CATCHING: SECOND BASE THROW DOWN DRILL Hi There!! I've been a catcher since eighth grade--that's 7 years--and I've caught for many pitchers and with many different teams. Here's a drill for strengthening and quickening throw downs to second base. The idea of a trash can is great--for more...

A significant thing that is not stressed with catchers is the throwing mechanics when attempting to pickoff a baserunning stealing second base. A catcher should always bring their hand up to their ear and throw (of course with a snap). When a catcher throws their glove (which should be extended...

One the best drill for catchers is to set up the pitching machine at the pitchers mound and to shoot the balls into the ground just behind home plate and in front of home plate, in full gear of course. Inside drill is to tie catchers hands behind there back and throw sponge balls into the floor...

CATCHING: BACKSTOP DRILL One thing I like to have my catchers work on is retrieving balls near the backstop and making the play at the plate. I dump a bucket of balls along the backstop behind the catcher. The catcher starts in her usual stance; the pitcher starts approximately halfway to home...

A Catcher's Checklist I. Position/Setting Up Catcher positions herself arm's length from the batter. In a squat position, feet slightly wider than hips. Give a large target to the pitcher. Hold still and stay low. No runners on base, butt can rest on heels. Runners on base, butt parallel to...