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Yes or no? Why?
I have heard the school of thought that they make catcher's lazy. However I observed several catchers in Coach Weaver's video wearing them.
Yes or no? Why?
I have heard the school of thought that they make catcher's lazy. However I observed several catchers in Coach Weaver's video wearing them.
I don't know if it makes them lazy.
Some girls like them. Some girls think its just more bulky.
My daughter likes them because it does take stress off her knees when no one is on base. But if there are 2 strikes or a runner on base she doesn't really use them as she has to move into a higher crouch and isn't even resting on the knee savers.
Does anyone know if MLB uses them?
My dd used them until she got some new guards, and I asked her to try the new guards without them for a few days. She decided to no longer use them, as she said they got in the way.
I think it's mostly a leg strength issue with kids. But a lot of kids just keep them on because they think that's the thing to do.
My daughter used them through out her 8u years and one year in 10u.
She found them to be to cumbersome.
Is Coach Weaver out there? I'd be interested in your thoughts on the subject.
My opinion is that if the catcher uses proper stances they will only be resting on them when in their sign giving stance. If that provides some relief then that's a good thing.
What is more important is to understand the reason for their design and the related studies on the benifit they have on youth catchers.
To get that answer I spoke at length with the doctor that designed them in 1991, patented them, and sold the rights to Easton. Dr Farrago is a doctor in Maine. What I learned was that there was no specific study done relating to catchers or sports at all. All of the research that was done, and conclusions drawn, came from work done with coal miners. You know, 6 ft tall miners in a 4ft high cave, lotsa squatting going on there.
The application for catchers was a spinoff from that research, and when it was applied to catchers it was initially applied to older MLB catchers with exsisiting bad knees.
Dr Farrago was very clear that no studies were ever done regarding the preventitive value of wearing them as a youth catcher.
He made it very clear that they MUST be worn on the lower strap settings to avoid putting pressure on the back side of the knee joint.
Thanks for the reply!
Now THAT is something I've always wondered, but could never find the answer. I had my dd wear hers on the lower straps. I thought if it was up higher, her torso would not be supported, and the pads would just be acting as a wedge to pull the knee apart when in squat. I see alot of girls that wear them that way.Originally Posted by Catching Coach
Thanks for confirming that.
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