CATCHING
(VIDEOS COMING SOON)
|
|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
PRACTICE PLANS
|
DRILLS AND FUNDAMENTALS
Goalie Drill-Allow
catchers time to learn block balls (doesn’t hurt to
let all players do this). Using tennis balls or
balls that are soft start by working with catchers.
Work backwards allowing catchers to start already in
blocking position and graduate into squatting
position. The throwing hand should be placed behind
the glove and the glove should be placed covering
the whole between the catcher’s legs (five hole).
The catcher should roll their shoulders forward
keeping their head down to protect the throat while
making their chest like a large bowl. The catcher
needs to stay loose and relaxed keeping the impact
of the ball off of the chest as soft as possible,
like a pillow. If the catcher is too stiff, just
like a brick wall, the ball with scoot away. If the
catcher does not make his chest like a bowl the ball
will tend to bounce to the left or right instead of
in front of him. From that position start working
from the squatting position from farther distances
eventually to using full gear and baseballs. This
takes a lot of practice and courage to do. Catchers
need to be fearless and quick.
Throw downs-Key for a good throw down at most levels is foot work, accuracy and release speed. Catchers need to square their front shoulder toward their target, bring the ball to their ear and follow through with their throw. When throwing to 3rd base a catcher should go behind the batter on an inside pitch (rightys) and in front of the batter on an outside pitch (rightys). When dealing with lefties and throwing to third this obviously would not apply.
Pop-ups- Upon a pop-out or fly ball to the catcher the catcher must immediately remove his/her mask but not discard it until he/she has found the ball. The mask should always try to be thrown in a direction opposite of where the catcher is going to make the catch. Coaches can stand behind the catcher and throw many pop-ups to them allowing them time to work on making the proper catch. Fielding Bunts- Catchers need to be quick and control the field when bunts or short hits occur. Catchers need to learn to read the field and let other fielders know where the play is. Catchers should try to remove their mask prior to making the play and to remember at all cost field the ball square to their body between their feet with their front shoulder pointed at their target. Also start catchers off by learning paying the ball inside the field and outside the field. When the ball is played inside the white lines, catcher needs to communicate with first baseman by yelling “INSIDE” and when the ball has potential (not always likely in Little League) to be outside the white lines, catcher needs to communicate with the first baseman by yelling “OUTSIDE”. This should allow the first baseman to move inside or outside the playing field to make the catch.
|
||||||||
|
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
