Rec Ball - 8U Catchers - What to focus on / How to use?

8U Rec ball (2nd Graders) - First full season of all coach pitch (no more tee's after x # of pitches). At least 5 of the girls are excited about catching. I was able to spend 30 minutes after practice a few weeks ago (only once, unfortunately) to go over the basics (thanks to those who responded to an earlier thread).

Part 1: The "Basics"

This mostly consisted of:

1. How the equipment will protect you (put the helmet on each of them, then enjoyed throwing a softball into their faces. )
2. Protect your thumbs (thumb inside fist, hand behind back or ankle, keeping fingers pointed up to catch)
3. Stance (no stealing yet, but we did go over both the "no-runners on" stance and the "runners on / 2-strikes" stance)
4. Dropping to your knees to block (which I discovered is awfully uncomfortable when you're in shorts, even on grass!)
5. A few rounds of squatting and catching some soft tennis balls ("training" tennis balls - fairly cheap at Target or Sports Authority/Modell's, almost the size of an 11" softball, and a little bit "squishy" - makes it easier for them to grab it w/o bouncing too quickly off their palms)

I'll be purchasing the NECC videos, but for now, the only other "technique" I can think to add is how to move to the front of the plate to be ready for a throw home (again, this is 8U - lots of bases-loaded situations!). Anything I'm missing?

Part 2: Pace of Play
I know how important it is to get the catcher dressed BEFORE the inning starts, (as well as not waiting for the catcher just to start the inning), but what do other leagues do to keep the game moving when using a catcher? I was backing up our catcher when the opposing team was batting. I think I had them make the throws back to the pitcher (when she caught/blocked it). Should we just be using a bucket behind both the pitcher and catcher, and cut out the throw-backs altogether? Part of me says no, they have to learn, but I also see the benefit to everyone else of getting 5 innings in per game (90 mins) vs only 3 or 4 innings over the same timeframe.

As always, thanks for any advice you can share

I would also like to see how they handle a bat in their face. Just have them get in the squat and have someone soft toss balls to her. You as a coach lay down bunts and miss. Make sure she can track the ball all of the way in. Some kids just can't make the transition and it is better to find out early.

Sounds like your plan is off to a good start, Gags.

Put a lot of focus on how to keep themselves safe and protected. Learning how to catch one-handed is a difficult - but necessary - skill at an age when some of them are still learning how to just catch. One of the things I start with when working with brand-new catchers is to just have them play catch, but with their throwing hand tucked behind their hip/butt cheek from the time their partner releases the ball (or before) until after they catch it. Building confidence with their glove is critical.

Also, have them work on sticking the location of the pitch - "squeeze it and freeze it". Don't try to bring is back to the strike zone, just freeze it where you catch it.

8u. No stealing, no problems with passed balls. It's the lull before the storm.

1. Safety. Keep the throwing hand safe. Don't get hit with a bat.

2. Fielding/defense There are a lot of short hits in coach pitch, and they need to know where to go after the ball is hit.

3. Calling out the number of outs and where the runners are.

4. Receiving per NECC.

And have fun.





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One more thing to add -- making the play at the plate. Most 8U players have no concept of making a tag, and force plays are least common at home. I don't remember ever seeing a full-on collision at home plate at the 8U level, but make sure that the catchers know that they will often need to apply a tag. Also, make sure they know where to stand when making that tag -- in front of the plate and not on the baseline.

I saw a good drill at a clinic that my daughter recently attended, where the coach held a softball in one hand and a basketball in the other. She threw the softball to the catcher and then rolled the basketball immediately. The goal was to catch the ball in the air and then drop and apply a tag to the basketball.