CATCHING Trojan Baseball Simsbury High School Simsbury, CT.

CATCHING CATCHING

Trojan BaseballTrojan Baseball

Simsbury High SchoolSimsbury High School

Simsbury, CT Simsbury, CT

What makes a good catcher?What makes a good catcher?

Priorities Priorities

1.1. Receiving the ballReceiving the ball

2.2. Making a pitcher look goodMaking a pitcher look good

3.3. Taking command of the fieldTaking command of the field

4.4. OffenseOffense

StancesStances

* Emphasize all three* Emphasize all three

StancesStances

Primary SecondarySignal-Giving

Details:Details:Primary/Receiving StancePrimary/Receiving Stance

glove arm outside or above left leg about 90% extended glove arm outside or above left leg about 90% extended with index finger pointed to 1 o’clockwith index finger pointed to 1 o’clock

eyes look just over the top of glove w/ head erecteyes look just over the top of glove w/ head erect

be careful not to step w/ right when going right, and vice be careful not to step w/ right when going right, and vice versa, use the mix or hop step once in a whileversa, use the mix or hop step once in a while

position is one of stability (slight lateral mobility) and force position is one of stability (slight lateral mobility) and force absorption (air bag)absorption (air bag)

ReceivingReceiving

What a good catcher does in addition to What a good catcher does in addition to catching the pitch that forces the umpire to:catching the pitch that forces the umpire to:

get a good look at a pitchget a good look at a pitch

have to decide on ball/strikehave to decide on ball/strike

call all pitches in the zone strikescall all pitches in the zone strikes

call as many borderline balls strikes as possiblecall as many borderline balls strikes as possible

If there were no umpire, we’d call this section “CATCHING” If there were no umpire, we’d call this section “CATCHING” and be done with it, but because the umpire plays such a and be done with it, but because the umpire plays such a large part in the game with balls and strikes, we must have large part in the game with balls and strikes, we must have a system of receiving to help him do his job.a system of receiving to help him do his job.

Aspects of ReceivingAspects of Receiving

1.1. CATCH THE PITCHCATCH THE PITCH with the 1 o’clock to 12 o’clock rotation, the trigger with the 1 o’clock to 12 o’clock rotation, the trigger

for the catch is donefor the catch is done body sway will help glove get to position for one-body sway will help glove get to position for one-

handed catchhanded catch bring the pitch with soft hands without doing the bring the pitch with soft hands without doing the

“egg toss take-away” or the “vacuum funnel”“egg toss take-away” or the “vacuum funnel”

Aspects of Receiving Aspects of Receiving

2. 2. FRAMING(THE BODY)FRAMING(THE BODY) begins with stance (belly button on corner without giving begins with stance (belly button on corner without giving

away location or pitch)away location or pitch) only on pitches less than 6 inches off the black, or <6” only on pitches less than 6 inches off the black, or <6”

above or below the zoneabove or below the zone starts with the body sway (try to catch every strike with starts with the body sway (try to catch every strike with

belly button behind ball)belly button behind ball) head must also be behind ball head must also be behind ball


3. 3. TURNING, BRINGING & TURNING, BRINGING & STICKING (the glove)STICKING (the glove)

must beat the ball to the spot with the glovemust beat the ball to the spot with the glove in and out, thumb up/thumb downin and out, thumb up/thumb down thumb is last part of hand to touch ball except on low pitchthumb is last part of hand to touch ball except on low pitch turn the glove as catching the pitch (takes practice)turn the glove as catching the pitch (takes practice) palm faces zone always except on low pitchpalm faces zone always except on low pitch bring pitches with soft hands, don’t funnel in,out, or down bring pitches with soft hands, don’t funnel in,out, or down

and always try to stick the low one inside midline of left and always try to stick the low one inside midline of left knee, shake hands with it outside midline (no broken knee, shake hands with it outside midline (no broken thumbs)thumbs)

Cliff notes:Cliff notes: OUTSIDE – “stick it”OUTSIDE – “stick it” UP – roll wrist forwardUP – roll wrist forward Down – roll wrist up/bring fingers to youDown – roll wrist up/bring fingers to you In – bend elbow, bring in zoneIn – bend elbow, bring in zone


4. 4. GRAVITY’s INFLUENCEGRAVITY’s INFLUENCE

barely high and barely low pitches must be framed toobarely high and barely low pitches must be framed too get on top of high and catch deep (let gravity take it get on top of high and catch deep (let gravity take it

and make it a 63 foot pitch)and make it a 63 foot pitch) get below low pitch with web and extend through it to get below low pitch with web and extend through it to

stop gravity’s influence (make it a 59 footer)stop gravity’s influence (make it a 59 footer) sticking or push action and the in-between pitches sticking or push action and the in-between pitches

(out and in)(out and in)

Details:Details:Secondary/Block-Throw StanceSecondary/Block-Throw Stance

This stance is used with man or men on base, or with no men This stance is used with man or men on base, or with no men on base and two strikes on batteron base and two strikes on batter

#1 duty is to stop and change direction of the ball#1 duty is to stop and change direction of the ball target must be as low as it was in primary, lean forward, target must be as low as it was in primary, lean forward,

head is same heighthead is same height feet parallel and slightly wider than shoulders, toes slightly feet parallel and slightly wider than shoulders, toes slightly

flaredflared knees are also wide with butt now slightly below parallel knees are also wide with butt now slightly below parallel

with kneeswith knees flat back, more of a lean for balance and low targetflat back, more of a lean for balance and low target glove arm above left knee, bare hand closed behind glove or glove arm above left knee, bare hand closed behind glove or

behind back (more difficult)behind back (more difficult) target in middle of body with index finger pointed to 1 target in middle of body with index finger pointed to 1

o’clock (target is always in center of mass)o’clock (target is always in center of mass) eyes look just over top of glove w/ head erecteyes look just over top of glove w/ head erect position is one of greater mobility and anticipationposition is one of greater mobility and anticipation

Aspects of Secondary Aspects of Secondary or Block/Throw Stanceor Block/Throw Stance

1. 1. CATCH THE PITCHCATCH THE PITCH presentation with slight sway still, presentation with slight sway still,

pull back bare hand out of foul tip pull back bare hand out of foul tip line of fireline of fire

center ballcenter ball

Aspects of Secondary Aspects of Secondary or Block/Throw Stanceor Block/Throw Stance2. 2. BLOCK THE PITCHBLOCK THE PITCH takes heart and reps – anyone can do it, but takes heart and reps – anyone can do it, but

they have to love it (not many love it)they have to love it (not many love it) be an athlete, knees inside feet – lateral be an athlete, knees inside feet – lateral

movement from hips and knees, not feetmovement from hips and knees, not feet plug the holes (glove in five hole, barehand plug the holes (glove in five hole, barehand

behind glove, arms are extensions of behind glove, arms are extensions of blocking surface – chest, gut, and face)blocking surface – chest, gut, and face)

soft, exhalesoft, exhale gain ground on 55 footers, drop on fastballgain ground on 55 footers, drop on fastball

Aspects of Secondary Aspects of Secondary Block/Throw StanceBlock/Throw Stance

3. 3. THROW THE BALLTHROW THE BALL same mechanics as everyone else, just a Cincinnati same mechanics as everyone else, just a Cincinnati

Reds “C”Reds “C” from the feet up, gain ground, center ball, and stay from the feet up, gain ground, center ball, and stay

backback anticipate and load weightanticipate and load weight be an airplane, not a helicopterbe an airplane, not a helicopter three types of footwork – replace feet, rock and pivot, three types of footwork – replace feet, rock and pivot,

jab (jab is only one that is pitch specific)jab (jab is only one that is pitch specific)

BLOCK THE BALLBLOCK THE BALLThe Details…The Details…

A high school catcher must have the ability to BLOCK the ball with A high school catcher must have the ability to BLOCK the ball with consistency.consistency.

Block in front:Block in front:– Drop to kneesDrop to knees– Glove drop straight down between legsGlove drop straight down between legs– Chin to chestChin to chest– Roll shoulders forwardRoll shoulders forward– Back of arms on thighsBack of arms on thighs

Blocking details cont.Blocking details cont.

Block to the side:Block to the side:– Throw hipThrow hip– Drop to kneesDrop to knees– Glove straight down (thru the ball)Glove straight down (thru the ball)– Chin to chestChin to chest– Elbows in (arms on thighs)Elbows in (arms on thighs)– Roll shoulders forward, round on to keep ball in fair terriotory)Roll shoulders forward, round on to keep ball in fair terriotory)

ONCE BLOCKED:ONCE BLOCKED:– Scoop ball if rollingScoop ball if rolling– Drive two fingers down thru ball if deadDrive two fingers down thru ball if dead– Be ready to throw…get body/feet in positionBe ready to throw…get body/feet in position

Fielding Your PositionFielding Your Position

Once the ball is in play by the hitter then the catcher must be Once the ball is in play by the hitter then the catcher must be able to react and make a play.able to react and make a play.

Down 3Down 3rdrd baseline baseline- Scoop ball with glove- Scoop ball with glove

- Square to base- Square to base

- Make throw, overhand if possible to ensure you won’t hit runner- Make throw, overhand if possible to ensure you won’t hit runner

Down 1Down 1stst Baseline Baseline- Scoop ball with glove- Scoop ball with glove

- Get an angle (inside or outside call)- Get an angle (inside or outside call)

- Make throw- Make throw

In front around plateIn front around plate- Never lose sight of base- Never lose sight of base

- Round off…make good throw- Round off…make good throw

Fielding Your PositionFielding Your Positioncont.cont.

Pop Ups Pop Ups BACKSPIN…BACKSPIN…a ball hit behind home plate will have a ball hit behind home plate will have backspin and will drift towards the fieldbackspin and will drift towards the fieldRemove mask and find the ballRemove mask and find the ballIn position to make catch…throw mask clear of your feet and In position to make catch…throw mask clear of your feet and to allow two hands on the catchto allow two hands on the catchCareful not to overrun ballCareful not to overrun ball


Plays at the plate are about getting in the Plays at the plate are about getting in the right position and doing one thing at a time, right position and doing one thing at a time, being aware of the situation that follows.being aware of the situation that follows.

Force PlayForce PlayIn front of the plate…left foot on the topIn front of the plate…left foot on the topBody in position to where the throw is coming fromBody in position to where the throw is coming fromCatch and be ready for throw (turn DBL play, etc.)Catch and be ready for throw (turn DBL play, etc.)


Tag Plays @ the DishTag Plays @ the DishSet up in front of the plate…must allow the runner access to Set up in front of the plate…must allow the runner access to home if you do not have the ballhome if you do not have the ballLeft foot should be pointed towards 3Left foot should be pointed towards 3rdrd base…shoulders turned base…shoulders turned to where the throw will be coming from…KEEP foot in placeto where the throw will be coming from…KEEP foot in placeAs the ball is received, catcher steps across the plate to take As the ball is received, catcher steps across the plate to take away the back half while dropping his knee across to block away the back half while dropping his knee across to block home plate from the runnerhome plate from the runnerTWO HANDS TWO HANDS on the ballon the ballImmediately look for another playImmediately look for another play

DrillsDrills

ReceivingReceiving

Tennis Ball (catch bare hands w/fingers)Tennis Ball (catch bare hands w/fingers)Short Distance (Quiet body–strong hands)Short Distance (Quiet body–strong hands)Normal DistanceNormal DistanceHigh Velocity – off machineHigh Velocity – off machineQuick hands (rapid fire – glove on every Quick hands (rapid fire – glove on every ballballFraming Framing

BlockingBlocking

Basketball BlockBasketball Block3 Ball Block3 Ball BlockGlove side (coach down 1B line0Glove side (coach down 1B line0Arm side (coach down 3B line)Arm side (coach down 3B line)Half & Half (some regular…some in dirt)Half & Half (some regular…some in dirt)Goalie drill (rapid fire – block – reset – FAST)Goalie drill (rapid fire – block – reset – FAST)Fungo’s (coach at mound)Fungo’s (coach at mound)

Drills cont.Drills cont.

Past BallsPast Balls

Overhead (from stance & block Overhead (from stance & block position)position)Communication (yell “ONE”, “THREE” Communication (yell “ONE”, “THREE” or “BACK”or “BACK”After block (down the lines)After block (down the lines)

Pop UpsPop Ups

Fair/Foul (tennis racquet or fungo)Fair/Foul (tennis racquet or fungo)Communication (yell “ONE” , Communication (yell “ONE” , “THREE” or “BACK”“THREE” or “BACK”Pitching machine (for height)Pitching machine (for height)Bunts (short- quick)Bunts (short- quick)

Situation DrillsSituation Drills

Force @ HOMEForce @ HOME Force @ HOME w/less than two outsForce @ HOME w/less than two outs Force @ HOME, look 1B, fire to 3BForce @ HOME, look 1B, fire to 3B Picks in dirt…use fungoPicks in dirt…use fungo Tag plays…use fungoTag plays…use fungo Squeeze playsSqueeze plays TruckedTrucked

Throwing DrillsThrowing Drills

A SHS CATCHER:A SHS CATCHER:1.1. Understands the gameUnderstands the game

2.2. Communicates Communicates

3.3. Gives 100% effortGives 100% effort

4.4. Receives the ball effectivelyReceives the ball effectively

5.5. Blocks the ball effectivelyBlocks the ball effectively

6.6. Throws the ball effectivelyThrows the ball effectively

7.7. Fields the position effectivelyFields the position effectively

8.8. Helps the umpire do his jobHelps the umpire do his job

9.9. Takes command of the fieldTakes command of the field

10.10. Plays without fearPlays without fear

CATCHING Trojan Baseball Simsbury High School Simsbury, CT.

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