Blocking?

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Feb 13, 2015
164
18
I've got this great shortstop that does some catching. We don't practice catching with her very often. We've talked about and practiced proper blocking form a few times.

When she catches, nothing gets by her unless it is very wide or high. Everything in the dirt, she catches in her mitt.

When I talk to her about blocking everything in the dirt, she looks at me like I'm crazy because she can always catch them. This is a 12 y.o.

No idea what her future position will be. What would you tell this kid about catching? Should she be blocking now because catching them will be tougher when pitchers get faster or let her enjoy her current success?

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May 17, 2012
2,804
113
If she can't block she can still play the position of catcher but she is not a catcher. The bottom line is that you can block at a higher rate than you can scoop balls in the dirt. Even if she has a high success rate at her current level with her current pitchers that success rate will not hold.

Teach her to block while she is young. It's harder to correct when they get older.
 
Jan 26, 2015
124
0
NE Kansas
If she can't block she can still play the position of catcher but she is not a catcher. The bottom line is that you can block at a higher rate than you can scoop balls in the dirt. Even if she has a high success rate at her current level with her current pitchers that success rate will not hold.

Teach her to block while she is young. It's harder to correct when they get older.

I agree with Gunner. Easier to teach blocking now if she has any desire to continue catching. NECC has a really good video. DD went to one of their winter traveling camps and took the parts that worked best for her and incorporated it into what she already does.
 
Nov 18, 2013
2,255
113
I've got this great shortstop that does some catching. We don't practice catching with her very often. We've talked about and practiced proper blocking form a few times.

When she catches, nothing gets by her unless it is very wide or high. Everything in the dirt, she catches in her mitt.

When I talk to her about blocking everything in the dirt, she looks at me like I'm crazy because she can always catch them. This is a 12 y.o.

No idea what her future position will be. What would you tell this kid about catching? Should she be blocking now because catching them will be tougher when pitchers get faster or let her enjoy her current success?

Sent from my Z832 using Tapatalk


Have her catch for an older, faster pitcher with a good drop ball. She'll figure out pretty quick the importance of blocking. Pitchers are always happy to throw to someone other than Mom or Dad so it will be easy to find one.
 

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