General Information

Hitting Aspects

Pitching Aspects

Catching Aspects
- Downloadable Clips
- Rotation of Throw
- Drills

### Catching Aspects ####

Downloadable Clips

Short clips for catchers are available as follows:

1. The fundamentals of a throw

2.  A demonstration of proper footwork

3. A discussion as to how to field a bunt

4. A discussion of the "comfort stance" of a catcher

Rotation of a Throw

A properly thrown ball from a catcher will have "six-to-twelve rotation." This is a reference to the 6:00 and 12:00 positions on a clock. This is the same desired rotation for almost any other overhand throw. A "six-to-twelve rotation" from the view of the "receiver" appears below:

Drills for Catchers

Compiled by Carl DiLeonardo -- from University of Arizona Video

1. Blocking

Kick feet back, fall to knees, body straight, head tucked, glove should be first thing down.

Four Drills

1. Slam glove while on knees.

2. Go to ground - dry run.

3. Sit and hit. While in the block position coach throws ball in front of and at the catcher.

4. Regular blocking. From 10 to 15 feet away coach throws ball in front of and at the catcher.

2. Side to Side Blocking

Lift and drive, down to knees, glove first thing down. Always land on inside of knee!

Two Drills

1. Dry run. Left then right.

2. Side to side block. Left then right. From 10 to 15 feet away coach throws ball in front of and at the catcher.

3. Throwing

Circle for throwing is smaller for catcher, than an infielder or outfielder’s throwing circle.

Point elbow, not glove so that you turn quickly.

Lead Step Method - Lead right foot takes one step forward, turn and throw. Anticipate ball coming!

Shuffle Method - Heal of right foot moves to left foot, while left foot sweeps around and throw. Stay low.

No Step Method - Pivot on right foot and throw.

Four Drills

1. Quick feet. Catch and go to athletic position (throwing position with left elbow pointed to where ball is to be thrown and right hand at the right ear). NO THROW!

2. Upper body on one knee. Coach throws to catcher; catch and throw quickly.

3. From standing position.  Coach throws to catcher; catch and throw quickly.

4. Screen technique. Coach throws to catcher and have catcher throw to screen. Accuracy not important, speed is. Need to teach that speed not strength of throw gets runners out.

4. Bunting

Down the 1st base line. Get over ball in center of your body, weight low, scoop with both hands. Shuffle to infield to clear the infield, so that your throw does not hit the runner.

Down the 3rd base line. Turn your rear toward first base. Get over ball in center of your body, weight low, scoop with both hands. Plant right foot, spin throw.

In middle of field. Get over ball in center of your body, weight low, scoop with both hands and throw.

Three Drills

1. Scoop and drop over top center of body.

2. Line Drill. Scoop and drop go down the line to the next ball. Use six balls lined up down base line.

3. Fielding drill. Coach stands directly behind the catcher. Throw or roll ball out from behind the catcher. Catcher bounces out, scoops and comes up ready to throw.

5. Out at home

On force come out in front of plate with back foot at the edge of home. Step toward the ball, catch, shuffle to go toward first base and throw. We at least want to get the out at home, but we should be able to get two outs. Only throw to third if the runner is less than halfway to the bag and the base is covered.

On tag play at the plate present a low wide base, heel of left foot on corner of the plate facing third base. Go down low, catch, tiny step with foot blocking late, tag with both hands, ball in glove protected. Keeping the left foot in this position is the only way a catcher can protect against knee injury from collision.

Four Drills

1. Force drill without ball. Catch then go to first.

2. Force drill with ball. Coach or Player throws from different places on the infield. The catcher will catch the ball then throw to first.

3. Tag drill without ball.

4. Tag drill with ball. Set up as above. Coach throws short hops in and catcher tags.

6. Framing

Catch outside of ball. Once caught funnel in. Not rough - smooth! For low caught ball take it up toward chest. Only use for close strikes, not definite balls. Umpires will penalize a catcher for framing pitches that are not even close to the strike zone. Penalties could include changing the strike zone.

Twp Drills

1. Coach throws tennis balls in and catcher catches bare handed. Frame in.

2. Coach throws softball at close range catcher catches with glove. Frame in.
    

7. Wild Pitch with runner at third.

Right knee down, center of body over ball, flip the ball from ground, using a side-arm motion from the wrist. A ball to the catcher’s extreme left, right knee down, bring the ball to your chest and flip backhanded.

Three Drills

1. Down on one knee (right knee) play catch with other catcher on one knee.

2. Ball Scramble. Seven balls placed behind the catcher in various spots. Catcher runs from squat retrieves the ball and throws to coach sitting at home plate.

3. Leg Burners. Catcher in squat. Coach throws to any spot behind the catcher. Catcher runs, retrieves the ball and throws to coach, runs back to start again.

8. Pop Ups at Home

Try to catch the flight of the ball off the bat. If you cannot see the ball, quickly glance to see if your teammates have picked the ball up (they should be pointing and yelling). Bounce up quickly, move out from home and spin so that your back is now facing the infield. (Pop ups at home usually have tremendous back-spin and so the ball will most likely drift back into fair territory). If the ball goes back towards the fence race over to the fence continue watching the ball while you reach out with your hand so that you do not crash into the wall. If you have time take you catcher’s helmet or mask off and toss it away from where you will be making the play. You don’t want to be tripping over it. Use both hands to catch the ball.

Four Drills

1. Ball thrown up by coach. Catcher comes out and spins. Coach varies where thrown; have infielders saying where it is.

2. Practice tossing mask when appropriate

3.  Screen Drill. Catcher in squat. Coach throws ball toward screen. Catcher runs over touches screen before making the catch.

4. Diving Drill. Coach tosses ball just out of catchers reach. Dive for ball. Done in full gear.