How should I help my catcher in the off season?

Bob516 · Dec 24, 2017

She dragged me out this afternoon, a bit chilly, 37°. She practiced throwdowns. We put a soccer ball on top of a plunger, sticking out of a T, so she can work on her accuracy. I try to watch her footwork when she is doing the throwdowns. She practices blocking with my throwing the ball to either side off the plate. She practices throwing down to me at first or third.

She heard it is a good idea for me to stand behind her, throw the ball up as a pop up. She says I am not doing it right, but can't tell me what I am doing wrong.

Are there videos online that are particularly good?

Gags · Dec 25, 2017

I’ve recently started watching the videos posted by Next Level Catching Academy. I really liked this one (https://youtu.be/TasLr7fy81Y) that discussed “pre-pitch” glove movement - that was a bit of an eye opener for me. Probably won’t work until 12u+, but should help get you more strike calls on the lower pitches, once the pitcher consistently hits their spots.

Other videos show use of a jab step for lateral blocking - but even they describe it as more of a “feel”, as a way to avoid weighting the outside leg too much (allowing for more of a sideways slide vs the shin guard digging in). Will post a better explanation later, as I know the topic of a jab step came up in the last week or so.

And of course, nearly everyone sings the praises of NECC (New England Catching Camp). Not much free video that I’ve found. Been waiting for their new DVD/video-streaming to be published, which updates their older (‘06? ‘09?), but probably still highly relevant, material.

As for throwing her pop-ups, it may be the spin - try getting as much backward spin (off your fingertips) as possible- she may feel like the ball isn’t getting the same “drift” she normally sees on a batted ball that’s straight up over the plate.

And Merry Christmas!

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Chris Delorit · Dec 25, 2017

Bob,

The Catching 101 videos over on YouTube are well designed and very simple for players and parents to follow. You be the judge!

Here's one in the series...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ahP9ephnoI

Chris

Eric F · Dec 25, 2017

For pop-ups, I position myself about 4-5 feet directly behind the catcher. I tell them whether the batter is R or L (which determines which direction they will initially rotate our of their stance), and toss the ball up at various spots and heights around the plate. Generally speaking, the ball tends to stay on the front side of the batter (RH batter tends to pop foul to the 1B side). Depending on location and height, they might need to dive or knee slide to get to the ball. Encourage them to practice at 100% game effort.

For indoor work, we do bare-hand receiving with foam balls (rolled up socks work, too). Focus on perfecting technique and positioning of hand/arm/body.

Bob516 · Dec 25, 2017

Eric F said:
For pop-ups, I position myself about 4-5 feet directly behind the catcher. I tell them whether the batter is R or L (which determines which direction they will initially rotate our of their stance), and toss the ball up at various spots and heights around the plate. Generally speaking, the ball tends to stay on the front side of the batter (RH batter tends to pop foul to the 1B side). Depending on location and height, they might need to dive or knee slide to get to the ball. Encourage them to practice at 100% game effort.

For indoor work, we do bare-hand receiving with foam balls (rolled up socks work, too). Focus on perfecting technique and positioning of hand/arm/body.

Thanks. I've been encouraging her for weeks to try the Roman Empire drill Ken suggested. She finally asked me to do that drill with her today.

She asked me to toss her our dog's oversized tennis ball for bare-hand receiving. She was working on that, but I don't know much about the hand/arm/body positioning to help her perfect her technique. Is there a good reference I could use to learn about that positioning?

Bob516 · Dec 25, 2017

Gags said:
I’ve recently started watching the videos posted by Next Level Catching Academy. I really liked this one (https://youtu.be/TasLr7fy81Y) that discussed “pre-pitch” glove movement - that was a bit of an eye opener for me. Probably won’t work until 12u+, but should help get you more strike calls on the lower pitches, once the pitcher consistently hits their spots.

Other videos show use of a jab step for lateral blocking - but even they describe it as more of a “feel”, as a way to avoid weighting the outside leg too much (allowing for more of a sideways slide vs the shin guard digging in). Will post a better explanation later, as I know the topic of a jab step came up in the last week or so.

And of course, nearly everyone sings the praises of NECC (New England Catching Camp). Not much free video that I’ve found. Been waiting for their new DVD/video-streaming to be published, which updates their older (‘06? ‘09?), but probably still highly relevant, material.

As for throwing her pop-ups, it may be the spin - try getting as much backward spin (off your fingertips) as possible- she may feel like the ball isn’t getting the same “drift” she normally sees on a batted ball that’s straight up over the plate.

And Merry Christmas!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks, I guess I was under the wrong impression that catching a softball and baseball were different because the pitch is coming in different.

I will try the backspin suggestion. It had never occurred to either DD or myself.

And a Happy New Year to all.

Gags · Dec 25, 2017

IMO, the pop-up to the catcher is the most difficult fielding play in baseball. Maybe it’s not AS important a skill in FP, given the smaller dimensions (less foul territory), but still a good one to work on.

I’m still at the lower levels of FP, but the only difference in technique that I’ve noticed between FP and baseball is the use of an “arm bar” by FP catchers. Maybe it’s due to pitch angle; maybe b/c the softball has more momentum, and FP catchers need to lock their arm out more to help stick a pitch? Eric responded to my question on that technique several months ago - obviously I need to re-read my own threads before posting!

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Gags · Dec 25, 2017

Here’s Eric’s reply to me on my question of why FP catchers tend to have more a pronounced “lean” when receiving outside pitches:

Eric F said:
I teach catchers to get their head, chest, and hips lined up behind the ball by shifting laterally (this is why a wide and stable stance is necessary). By shifting, it puts the arm in a stronger position to resist the impact of the ball. Especially for younger players, reaching the arm across the body to catch an outside pitch is a very weak position, which makes it difficult to stick the location and present the pitch effectively. However, many catchers (including my DD) have a tendency to leave their hips behind, and it becomes a torso and head lean.

I think you see it less at the MLB level because full grown men tend to have stronger - and longer - arms.

I hope this helps.

Cheers!

- E

Sorry to get off track, as I have no idea if this is even an issue for your daughter, but wanted to close the loop (in my head, at least!) on this one.

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Jdaddy · Dec 26, 2017

We rest DD's arm as much as possible in the offseason. Zero throw downs until HS gets outside in February. She's still throwing back to pitchers, but that's it. We work on receiving bare handed with tennis balls and do a lot of leg work. Strength and agility is our focus. Push ups, sit ups, squats and wall sits for strength. We do pop ups from catcher stance to throwing position and work on clearing batters for pick offs. We have added jump rope this winter. Jump rope is great for cardio, calves and agility. Good friend and crossfit trainer recommended jump rope with timing like a boxer trains. We want quick feet!

ANNASDAD · Dec 26, 2017

I've stated here several times, no catcher in my house. But for off season help/work, if possible have her go to pitching lessons with her HS or TB pitcher to stay sharp on tough pitches out of the zone. And to get to know the habits good and bad of that pitcher to know how to handle her in tough game situations.

How should I help my catcher in the off season?

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