Blocking

How do you break the habit of not blocking? I have a second year 12u player that will not drop and block. She has a habit of gloving everything.

How do you break it? Great player overall behind the plate but really struggles to get this down.

4 girl's dad said:

How do you break the habit of not blocking? I have a second year 12u player that will not drop and block. She has a habit of gloving everything.

How do you break it? Great player overall behind the plate but really struggles to get this down.

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For my DD, it was the Catching Camp (catchingcamp.com) and Planet Fastpitch to learn blocking mechanics. In example, glove goes first and body follows, the posture is important, etc...

Then, once the mechanics of blocking were sound, have someone intentionally pitch ball on the ground many, many times and have her deliberately practice her mechanics.

For my DD, she caught for pitchers that were learning how to pitch who threw many balls on the ground (more grounders than good pitches). That's how our DD became better at blocking.


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Out of all the catching skills, this is the one my DD mastered. I have no idea how, but she has an awesome catching instructor, who she really likes. He started with her in 10u (she is now 14). He just kept telling her catch it with your chest protector. She is pretty much known as a great blocking catcher. She also says, she thinks like a hockey goalie. Have the mind set, nothing gets passed you.


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When DD was one of 3 catchers on the team and rode the bench because the other 2 were better blockers, it sucked. She had 2 choices: get better at blocking or quit catching. I think the fear of losing the only position on the field that she really cares about playing is what did it for her. Fear of loss works for some, not for others.


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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.

I think the first thing to make sure is that they have gear that fits them and they trust. Then, assume the "cowboy position": Full gear, no mitt. Catcher on her knees in the blocked position with hands in her back pockets. Bounce balls into the ground up to the chest protector, ensuring that you focus on telling them to drop the chin and watch it hit. If everything is right (meaning, you have the right gear and the right kid), they will realize that it doesn't hurt (which is a relative term...your mileage may vary). Once fear of pain is removed from the equation, it can start to become a more viable option, which can then be taught as a natural movement. If they fear the impact, I don't know how you teach them to want to do it.

If you want a player to stop doing something don't let them play there until they can do it in practice. I was at a tournament recently that we played
and I noticed that almost every single mistake we made were ones we make in practice. If you are willing to lose a few games to teach your players
that you won't accept it they'll get the message quick.

Once they know how to block when the know the ball will be in the dirt, the next trick (and a tougher one to master) is recognition. They need to be able to see that the ball is going to go into the dirt and react to it.

I use a drill I call "combos" to train it. Basically, you stand out in front of the catcher, maybe halfway to the pitching rubber or more if you can handle it, and then pitch a mix of "good" pitches and balls in the dirt. At first, the balls in the dirt are pretty obvious, and start further away from them. As they get better at recognizing the flight of the ball, they start falling into the dirt closer to the catcher. Eventually they're right at the plate. If you can get the ball do act more like a drop even better.

It's a tough drill, but it does make a difference. This is something I do every time I work with catchers - even my most accomplished ones. The best ones, in fact, ask for it so they can further hone their skills.

One thing to remind them is if the ball is starting to go down it's going to continue to go down as a result of gravity. It will never start heading down then jump back up. So if they see it going for the dirt, count on the fact it will get to the dirt and react accordingly. 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.

Once mechanics are set and correct, as Ken said, it is all about pitch recognition. Some catchers will get it in 50 pitches and some will take 5,000. I always start about halfway between the PC and HP. From a kneeling position, I intentionally throw about 25 balls down the middle of the plate that bounce approximately 2 feet in front of the plate. Then I throw them left and finally right. I continue to do this as I move further away. Once I'm at the pitchers circle, I start bouncing them closer and closer to the plate and finally, behind the plate. Next, like Ken, I use the Combo, or as I call it, the Random method starting half again and then moving back. Of course, this all happens over a couple of weeks. A shorter message than what Ken said at the end is again, what I tell my catchers. "When in doubt, drop and block!"

Thank you for all of the replies! I will add her blocking mechanics are good when we practice that but when it comes to live pitching, she fails to drop or slide and drop. As someone said, I believe its mental. She has a catching coach and she says they work on it but even in warm ups she tries to glove it. Hopefully we can break her from it. She is 1 of 3 on the rotation, has the best arm and is a great leader. But too many PB and runners advancing.

Thanks again for the ideas. Maybe time for a little one on one with team coaches.