I am going to be a sophomore at one of the most prestigious baseball schools in my area. With the graduation of our catcher last year, who is going to ball state on a scholarship and was nearly drafted to the pros this past year, I have some big shoes to fill. Although there are several other decent catchers on the team returning from last year, our coach is mainly looking towards me because of my arm. Last year during playoffs once in awhile we would do throw downs to second base. My best time from release to second base was 2.2 seconds, so I have a pretty impressive arm for only being a sophomore. But that is the only advantage I have because although I have some conception of it I’m a very weak blocker/receiver of the ball. With 3 pitchers returning who will consistently hit low 90s high 80s and have off-speed pitches that move about 5-6 in. blocking the ball will be tough. However I am very determined and am going to work very hard at it. I’ve already got several drills that I am going to be working on all off-season but if there are any former catchers who were fantastic blockers or who have knowledge of great drills to learn how to block please share them with me. Thank You
first you need to start by blocking without the ball to build techinique practice right left and straight then when you have good techinique practice with a ball and pitcher then you can do a side to side drill To develop lateral movement. This drill incorporates proper blocking techniques as well as agility and conditioning drills the first set you just start by setting up 2 cones about 10 yards apart. The catcher will begin at the center point between the two cones. The server will serve a series of balls directly at the catcher. The catcher, using correct form, will block and control each of the balls the then The second set will consist of latereral movement. Again, with the catcher starting in the center have the server throw a series of balls to each side of the catcher. The server should let the catcher know what side the serve will be to. After each throw the catcher should reset in the center position. The server does not have to alternate sides. He/She may throw to the same side multiple times in a row. The catcher should concentrate on using correct form to block and control the ball back toward the center line or target area thenThe third set is where the pace and the fun factor really pick up. With the catcher starting in the middle position, the server will point at one of the two cones. The catcher must shuffle from side to side, get to the cone, block, and control the ball. As the server you should push the pace of the drill. Make the catcher really work to get to the cone on time. In other words you don’t have to wait till he’s there to serve the ball. The third set can be replicated as many times as you want.
I suggest using 6-10 serves as the catcher, while in full gear, will quickly become fatigued. The catcher should remain low (crouched) when shuffling side to side and should be sure to NOT cross his feet when shuffling. the final set is cool down set Repeat the first set with balls that are served straight at the catcher. This reinforces good technique.
powered by Yahoo Answers
November 27th, 2009 at 8:05 am
first you need to start by blocking without the ball to build techinique practice right left and straight then when you have good techinique practice with a ball and pitcher then you can do a side to side drill To develop lateral movement. This drill incorporates proper blocking techniques as well as agility and conditioning drills the first set you just start by setting up 2 cones about 10 yards apart. The catcher will begin at the center point between the two cones. The server will serve a series of balls directly at the catcher. The catcher, using correct form, will block and control each of the balls the then The second set will consist of latereral movement. Again, with the catcher starting in the center have the server throw a series of balls to each side of the catcher. The server should let the catcher know what side the serve will be to. After each throw the catcher should reset in the center position. The server does not have to alternate sides. He/She may throw to the same side multiple times in a row. The catcher should concentrate on using correct form to block and control the ball back toward the center line or target area thenThe third set is where the pace and the fun factor really pick up. With the catcher starting in the middle position, the server will point at one of the two cones. The catcher must shuffle from side to side, get to the cone, block, and control the ball. As the server you should push the pace of the drill. Make the catcher really work to get to the cone on time. In other words you don’t have to wait till he’s there to serve the ball. The third set can be replicated as many times as you want.
I suggest using 6-10 serves as the catcher, while in full gear, will quickly become fatigued. The catcher should remain low (crouched) when shuffling side to side and should be sure to NOT cross his feet when shuffling. the final set is cool down set Repeat the first set with balls that are served straight at the catcher. This reinforces good technique.
References :