Blocking

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I also tell them better to block and not need to than to need to and not block. Yes, you might lose a couple of low strikes. But that's a lot better than advancing a base runner 60 feet. Especially if she's starting out on 3rd.

^^^ This!! I always remind DD that she can catch a pitch on her knees but she can't block a ball while up on her feet. The combo drill is an essential way to help catchers recognize when they need to get down.
 
Aug 24, 2011
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It's a mental thing. Breaking through that mental barrier can be really challenging for some players. The first step is anticipating the probable need to block based on the pitch being called - change-ups and drops. One thing I have done in the past is to instruct my catcher that she will drop to block every change up, no matter where it is (it helps if the pitcher can reliably throw a change up low in the zone). The slower pitch speed gives them plenty of time, and the impact is reduced if it doesn't bounce.

Agree. I've found that at some point it just clicks and then they never look back. It does take a lot of reps and girls can have flawless technique except when they actually have to do it. Then at some point they block a few really well and they're off to the races.
 
Last edited:
May 24, 2013
12,461
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So Cal
Agree. I've found that at some point it just clicks and then they never look back. It does take a lot of reps and girls can have flawless technique except when they actually have to do it. Then at some point they block a few really well and they're off to the races.

Yep. I've seen that exact thing quite a few times, and my DD is bumping up against it right now. She was out of action behind the plate for a couple of months due to a concussion, followed by a broken finger. When she got back to it, her in-game blocking regressed significantly. In practice drills, she still kills it - good reads, good reactions, and good mechanics. In the heat of battle, she lost it. The reflex and mechanics were all over the place. As we head into a new season, I know she will get it back, but it's going to take a little time and some persistence.
 
Last edited:
Apr 5, 2013
2,130
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Back on the dirt...
"In practice drills, she still kills it - good reads, good reactions, and good mechanics. The the heat of battle, she lost it. The reflex and mechanics were all over the place."

This is what I am dealing with. Great in practice when she knows its coming but struggles with live. Wont give up on her yet.

Thanks again for the comments! Love this forum!
 

Spero Koulouras

Coach in Training
Aug 15, 2014
27
3
For our 14-18u catchers we go in the batting cage with a hitter that executes a bunt, intentionally missing the ball on every pitch. The machine is set to throw low, it's natural variation ends up with a combination of balls that arrive in the fly, with a short skip or slightly longer hop. Catchers can get a ton of blocking reps in a very short time. It can be done without the batter, but it's not as much fun

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
 

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