Catching Drills

CATCHING DRILLS:

I. Fielding Bunts:

1.) Place 3 stationary baseballs in front of the plate, one down 3rd base line , one toward pitcher's mound and one down 1st base line. Have catcher in full gear squat behind plate and fire out to field the ball down 3rd base line. He should step over this ball, align his shoulders with 1st base and while using the glove to block and scoop the ball into the throwing hand as he throws to first. He immediately returns to his position and again fires out toward the ball that's toward pitcher's mound using a "bananna route" to the ball again blocking ball with glove and using glove to scoop ball into bare hand to throw keeping body momentum going toward 1st base. Return to C position and fire out to field ball down 1st base line. Using same mechanics, blocking ball and using glove to scoop, as previous but catcher must take a drop step with right foot so he's sure to clear the runner with his throw.

2.) Next step is for coach or a player to stand behind catcher, who is always in full gear during practice drills, taps C on helmet with ball and rolls balls out in front of plate in same sequence as above stationary ball drills. Be sure catcher uses proper mechanics when fielding bunts. The location of the bunt will dictate a different approch to fielding the ball. Never allow catcher to pick ball up in his bare hand without using the glove to block the ball.


3.) Step 3 in fielding bunts would be to roll ball randomly and merely tap catcher on helmet and yell bunt!

II. Throwing to 3rd Base: On attempted steal of 3rd, the catcher should drop step with right foot and throw behind the right-handed batter. A player or catcher, if you have more than one, should stand in the batter's box as the coach tosses the ball to the catcher from in front of home plate. Foot quickness is maybe more important than arm strength when throwing to bases.


III. Catcher Picking At 1st Base: Have your catcher practice throwing to 1st base on missed bunt attempts. Have a base runner with helmet lead off 1st and have hitter miss the bunt attempt as catcher immediately throws to 1st base for pick.

IV. Throwing to 2nd Base: When catcher throws to 2B he can either use a jump step (pro style) or he can take very short jab step with his right foot as he pivots and aligns his shoulders toward second base. Prepare a chart and time your catchers every practice session so they can tell when they are making progress in reducing their throwing or "POP" times. A good high school catcher should be around 2.2. Pro catchers are 1.8 - 1.9. High School Pitchers must work to get their release time from the stretch postion to around 1.4 - 1.5. If your catcher is a 2.3 and pitcher is 1.7, the base runner with a lead only has to run a 4.0 to steel on your pitcher/catcher.