16u . No experience looking for advice and thoughts on her catching. Catcher .

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Apr 3, 2020
57
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Hey . I'm new to the softball game . I will be trying out if this virus calms down . I am wanting to play the catchers position but I have no experience. I was hoping a few people could give me some advice and thoughts on my stance and anything else you can advice me on . The first video with the guy was my first time ever catching . He was about 25 - 30 feet away from me . I didn't expect him to throw as fast as he did so I had to change my gloves position. The pitch was between 63mph and 75mph . I'm currently doing at home therapy for my injured right knee so my right leg might be slightly off. Im attaching videos.



 
Oct 3, 2011
3,478
113
Right Here For Now
All in all, not bad. A couple of things I noticed. 1) Your throwing hand is exposed about half the time. I suggest, while in your no runners on stance, to hook your thumb behind your ankle in your shoe or in the shin guard strap. This will subconsciously remind you to keep it there until the ball is in your mitt. 2) You're dropping your left knee. While many catchers do this, it's usually to receive for extremely fast pitchers. That said, It makes it difficult to drop and block to the right side until you've had years of experience catching and can adapt to it. 3) Beat the ball to it's spot. Keep your mitt moving towards the strike zone until the final moment when you actually receive the ball and present it. There were several times you sat back and let the ball come to the mitt. 4) I can't tell from the camera angle but it looks as if your feet aren't square to the plate. If they aren't, square them up. This shouldn't affect your injury one way or the other. Again this makes it more difficult to drop and block to the side your foot is dropped back. 5) If you haven't already, go here https://vimeo.com/ondemand/neccdvd and purchase this. It'll be the best $40 you spend if you're serious about this.
 
Last edited:
Apr 3, 2020
57
18
All in all, not bad. A couple of things I noticed. 1) Your throwing hand is exposed about half the time. I suggest, while in your no runners on stance, to hook your thumb behind your ankle in your shoe or in the shin guard strap. This will subconsciously remind you to keep it there until the ball is in your mitt. 2) You're dropping your left knee. While many catchers do this, it's usually to receive for extremely fast pitchers. That said, It makes it difficult to drop and block to the right side until you've had years of experience catching and can adapt to it. 3) Beat the ball to it's spot. Keep your mitt moving towards the strike zone until the final moment when you actually receive the ball and present it. There were several times you sat back and let the ball come to the mitt. 4) I can't tell from the camera angle but it looks as if your feet aren't square to the plate. If they aren't, square them up. This shouldn't affect your injury one way or the other. Again this makes it more difficult to drop and block to the side your foot is dropped back. 5) If you haven't already, go here https://vimeo.com/ondemand/neccdvd and purchase this. It'll be the best $40 you spend if you're serious about this.

Thank you . My right knee is injured so it can't quite bend to its normal position. Before I got injured my right and left always were the same height and level but now I'm having to work my right leg back into place . Thats why it looks like my left is dropping.
 

BigSkyHi

All I know is I don't know
Jan 13, 2020
1,385
113
Here are some basic drills that may help

- Softball Catcher Drills: Setup

- Softball Catcher Drills: Barehand Receiving Drill

- Softball Catcher Drills: Ball in Hand Drill

Softball Catcher Skills: Receiving



- Softball Catcher Skills: Blocking

https://youtu.be/XlK46N5sFxU - Three-Ball Blocking Drill | Softball Catcher Drills

https://youtu.be/0Ksv0J8qZeY - Six-Ball Blocking Drill | Softball Catcher Drills



https://youtu.be/G-L5IEHQMgc - Rapid-Fire Transfer Drill | Softball Catcher Skills

https://youtu.be/6ZSAJ12AG20 - Ladder Drill | Softball Catcher Drills

https://youtu.be/D-eZtftCX-U - Softball Catcher Skills: Throwing
 
Apr 17, 2019
331
63
I want 10 Hannahs on my team. I love you girl!
You've got some good recommendations for drills above.
Work on the wild pitches too. Blocks in the dirt, jumps over your head. Even at 16u, those happen. Then work the throw downs to 2nd and 3rd primarily. Teams will steal if they think you can't throw. Track your pop time. Nothing like chasing a number to motivate. Dissect your own videos too; don't take it personally, just jot down things you notice as you watch.
Keep working! No one will be able to tell it's your first year. :)
 
Apr 3, 2020
57
18
I want 10 Hannahs on my team. I love you girl!
You've got some good recommendations for drills above.
Work on the wild pitches too. Blocks in the dirt, jumps over your head. Even at 16u, those happen. Then work the throw downs to 2nd and 3rd primarily. Teams will steal if they think you can't throw. Track your pop time. Nothing like chasing a number to motivate. Dissect your own videos too; don't take it personally, just jot down things you notice as you watch.
Keep working! No one will be able to tell it's your first year. :)
Thank you. I'm really working hard. What is a good pop time? I think my speed when I throw is pretty good . 😁
 
Apr 17, 2019
331
63
Thank you. I'm really working hard. What is a good pop time? I think my speed when I throw is pretty good . 😁

That's a debated question ;)
Search Pop Time here. Here's a couple relevant threads.
 
Apr 3, 2020
57
18
That's a debated question ;)
Search Pop Time here. Here's a couple relevant threads.
My pop time as of March 25th was 1.6 seconds average .
 
Nov 22, 2019
194
43
Minnesota, USA
First thing I noticed is being up on the front part of your feet. My DD's instructor told her to focus trying to sit more on the insides of her feet with the toes pointed out a bit. It isn't the most comfortable at first just because its more natural to roll forward but will be much physically easier on the legs for endurance purposes.
 

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