High vs Low Catching Stance Question

My daughter has been asked to catch by our 10U coach and we are learning quickly (Thanks to Eric F and the NECC video). But, there is one thing that cropped up that I can't figure out. I have seen references to 2 different types of stances. One is like the one I have seen in my version of the NECC video (it might be old, I got it on Ebay). It is a low stance where the catcher is in a crouch low to the ground. The other stance has the catcher's butt up quite a bit. This is a hard stance to maintain, but would put the catcher in a better position to throw quickly. I don't remember seeing this stance in the NECC video.

One of the coaches is telling her to stay in the crouch, but as the pitch is delivered to raise up. I am thinking that she should stay low the whole time. She's still mobile enough to block and make throws. I do see a benefit to having the butt raised somewhat, and, in my experiments, it seems like an extremely difficult position to hold for very long and would make the catcher tire much more quickly.

Also any movement would seem to distract the pitcher. Any input is much appreciated!!

Runners-on stance is with the thighs horizontal, feet slightly wider. This allows her to move up to throw or in any of the three directions for blocking. I've lost my copy of the DVD, but I'm sure it's covered, as is conditioning.

The weight shift that starts the throw will start while she is receiving the pitch, but she should not rise up early. With practice, it will become a continuous motion.

Throw to 2nd | The New England Catching Camp

You're on the right track, you will not go wrong with what they teach.

As guero_gordo says, that butt-up position is the runners-on stance. Wall sits (but not when she has a game coming up right away) will help her build up those quads so she'll be able to maintain it longer. Even with conditioning, it's still tiring and I don't see the point in her using up all her energy popping in and out of runners on when the bases are empty.

There's actually a third stance (which I think the NECC video shows also), for sign giving. It's the most comfortable of the three stances and pretty much looks like a normal beginner's rec/LL catcher stance: just squatting casually, albeit with the knees slightly narrowed and the glove resting on the thigh to block the signs.

All great advice.

And if she pops up at all during the pitch she can interfere with the umpires view in the slot resulting in missed calls.

The 3 stances...

Sign-giving


No-runners


Runners-on (also used with a 2-strike count)


(Pics care of Chaz/Advanced Catching Concepts)

I teach getting into the appropriate receiving stance as the pitcher is starting their motion (or even slightly before), and to give a rock-solid, steady target when the pitcher is firing the pitch.

The RO stance is more taxing on the thighs, but with some practice and strengthening drills, young legs get strong pretty quickly. There is no reason for a catcher to maintain the RO stance for extended periods of time - only long enough to give a target and catch the pitch. Watch college or MLB games and see how and when the catchers use the different stances.

I thought this a pretty good demonstration of the basics...


That said, I have a serious issue with the tendency for MLB catchers to dangle their throwing hand off the inside of their thigh in their RO stance, as is demonstrated in the video. This is not something I would EVER allow for a catcher I'm teaching. The throwing hand needs to be in a fist, and properly protected during ALL receiving and blocking actions.

A couple more stance examples - my beastie, this time...

No Runners



Runners On/2K

Looking at the stance of the ump, she's probably up a bit too early. Her target should also be lower.

It sounds like the coach is looking to have your catcher delay setting up to receive the pitch so as not to give the pitch location away. This can be a challenging concept for many 10U catchers and can freak out most of the 10U pitchers who are (typically) used to a stationary target being set for them before the start their windup. This is a technique used by all older catchers and is expected at higher levels of competition. It's best to introduce this delayed set up at the pitcher's lessons. Most pitching instructors will reinforce this target setting concept to their pitcher and be able to assist them in learning this technique. Always encourage your catcher to catch their pitcher's lessons. It's the best time to work on receiving skills, blocks, stances, signs and getting in sync with the pitcher.

As for movement distracting the pitcher, they will have to get used to catchers setting up in stance as they begin their wind up. The catcher must strive to eliminate unnecessary movement to keep distractions to a minimum. Utilizing the high hip, knees back runner on stance gives the catcher much more flexibility with runners on base to block more effectively and throw more effectively. We worked with a catcher earlier today that let her hips sag a few inches below her knees and we were able to demonstrate just how much it affected her blocking by throwing balls right through her legs as her hips raised to make room to fold her legs back. While this stance is more taxing on the catcher, it shouldn't be used with every pitch. Only when a batter or runner is in position to advance. With proper conditioning, adjusting into a runner on stance can be quite seamless. "Setting Up in Stance" shows the delayed set up for catchers setting up in both no runner on and runner on. Kara does a great job protecting her throwing hand as well.

[video=youtube_share;5qp9ih1EQF4]http://youtu.be/5qp9ih1EQF4[/video]

Here we see all runner's on stance.

[video=youtube_share;ZSna6JRDHsA]http://youtu.be/ZSna6JRDHsA[/video]

Wow! Lots of great stuff, thanks! We are totally new to catching and I don't think my DD will be throwing out any runners at second this year. She doesn't throw hard enough. She has always played second and she is used to making soft accurate throws to the infield. She has strong arms, and I know that she could throw harder, but even though we keep urging her to make harder throws, she still cant rear back and let it fly. She might as well use the runners on stance though as she will be throwing out runners in the future.