Can anyone recommend some drills to help build a better Catcher?

Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch

Your FREE Account is waiting to the Best Softball Community on the Web.

Apr 29, 2019
36
8
My daughter has been catching for her Middle School and Little League teams and has made progress with very little coaching. She's now playing 12U TB and competing for playing time. She's a dedicated kid and has asked me to help her get better. Can any recommend some drills or a place I can go to get some instruct for her? I've been using some stuff on youtube etc... I'm actively searching for a catchers coach in our area. Thanks in advance for your time and suggestions.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
This will be the best money you spend on helping her get better behind the plate.... https://vimeo.com/ondemand/neccdvd

Don't plop her in front of this and leave the room. This is for both of you. It's for her to learn what to do, and for you to learn how to guide her.

Note - Ignore the throwing mechanics stuff. They have revised how they teach it. Look here for the best info on throwing mechanics... https://www.highlevelthrowing.com/library/
 
Nov 18, 2015
1,585
113
When you've absorbed all you can from NECC, take a look at NLCA - Next Level Catching Academy (why does everyone have to based in CA?!?!) has put out a bunch of youtube videos. What's nice about them is that they'll usually include a detailed powerpoint slide (I have to pause the video to read it all) about what's being emphasized, and the videos are usually 10-15 mins long. It's clips from their clinics, so you're seeing actual youth players (majority is HS, but some younger players) perform the drills.

Unfortunately, I don't think they've ever done a softball-specific one, but a lot of the glovework mechanics (specifically - pre-pitch glove movement, which I haven't seen addressed anywhere else, although Tyler Flowers has used a very similar concept in game play) and their tag play drills should easily translate.

Matt Antonelli has some good video's as well.

Also look at Xan Barksdale, Ryan Sienko, Tanner Swanson, and Jerry Weinstein. You'll find random video clips of their ABCA & CatcherCon presentations, and they've each been guests on multiple baseball and softball related podcasts.

Jen's video's are usually very short, but do a good job of showing lots of different drills she runs her students through. She definitely keeps the intensity level high!
 
Apr 29, 2019
36
8
Wow thank you everyone for all of the responses. It's really appreciated, I've bought the catchingcamp.com video series to get started and will be looking into more of the sites you've all provided!
 
Apr 28, 2019
1,423
83
My daughter has been catching for her Middle School and Little League teams and has made progress with very little coaching. She's now playing 12U TB and competing for playing time. She's a dedicated kid and has asked me to help her get better. Can any recommend some drills or a place I can go to get some instruct for her? I've been using some stuff on youtube etc... I'm actively searching for a catchers coach in our area. Thanks in advance for your time and suggestions.
Xan Barksdale has some good info for catchers. If your organization has 16/18U showcase teams perhaps your daughter could train /learn from them.
 
Apr 14, 2014
7
3
I cannot recommend The Catching Camp enough for a young catcher. I see you are in CT? TCC usually hosts one of their weekend Road Trip camps in CT every winter. They don't have a CT camp posted yet, but I would assume they will have another this winter. They update their website when new Road Trip camps are scheduled. To get your daughter around Jay Weaver and his staff and other catcher's her age dedicated to becoming better catcher's for 8 hours of instruction over a weekend is well worth the time and money.

And as other's have stated don't overlook the quality baseball oriented instruction that is out there (Xan Barksdale, Tanner Swanson, Jerry Weinstein, etc.) as the core principles don't differ greatly between baseball and softball. They offer quite a bit of free content between Youtube, Twitter, Instagram. Jen Shro also provides a fair amount of free content online that is definitely worth your time.


I commend her for wanting to get better and for you actively seeking out the best instruction for her. You will be surprised how a little quality instruction and effort by her will put her light years ahead of her peers.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
42,832
Messages
679,496
Members
21,445
Latest member
Bmac81802
Top