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 BACKSTOP
This drill is for catchers to work on is retrieving balls near
the backstop and making the play at the plate.
Dump a bucket of balls along the backstop behind the catcher. The catcher starts
in her usual stance; the pitcher starts approximately halfway to home. On "GO"
the catcher must turn around, go for a ball, look quickly, and backhand the ball
to the pitcher running in. The pitcher works on fielding the ball and making the
tag.
Do this 30+ times until the catcher is able to accurately place the ball at the
plate on repeated tries. This drill has improved the speed and accuracy of the
catcher's throws and the effectiveness of this play. It also helps alleviate
some of the pitcher's anxieties about making the play on a girl stealing home.
CATCHER'S CIRCLE
Perform every drill with chest protector & shin guards on
(sometimes a mask but it can get pretty hot.) The reason for doing this is that
catchers must be able to react, act and think when they are uncomfortable and
sweaty. If you can get your catcher(s) to 'buy-in' to this it will make them
better in the long-run. Besides then you can really see who wants to catch and
who doesn't.
1) With full gear on (mask too) have your catcher get behind the plate w/out her
glove. Make sure she has a balanced stance with her weight on the balls of her
feet, knees bent (thighs parallel or slightly past) and toes slightly in towards
the plate. Draw a circle in the dirt about the diameter of a washing machine
around the plate. Have your catcher assume her crouch with both hands behind her
back.
A coach/player (never a pitcher) then throws Incredible/Whiffle Balls, Tennis
balls (to start with then move to regulation alls) low pitches/short hops at the
catcher. Using only her chest, legs and shoulders the catcher tries to make
every ball stay within the front of the circle. The catcher must use her
body/shoulders to keep the balls within the circle by 'bowing' her shoulders to
guide the balls to the front of the plate within easy reach distance.
Do this drill at 10 balls/3x for 30 balls a session with 3 sessions.
POP-UP
Here is a good catching drill that catchers can do at every
practice.
The catcher is in ready position with all the gear on. The player/coach stands
behind the catcher. The person in back tosses the ball high into the air and
yells "ball" and the catcher immediately throws the mask & helmet and gets the
ball before it hits the ground.
It is harder than it sounds and is great practice!!
SOFTBALL "HULA-HOOP"
You will need a hula-hoop and
some softballs.
Place the hula-hoop upright over second base (a coach will hold it) and instruct
your catcher to make her throw from home plate through the hoop. This develops
accurate throws.
The second part of the drill, you can put a pitcher on the mound and practice
pitching and then have the pitcher duck when the catcher throws the ball down to
second base. This helps make a good pitcher/catcher connection.
The same drill can be used at third base. This drill gives the catcher a target
area to throw to. Use a player to act as backup behind the hoop.
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