I use what was taught to me as a kid by a coach who was a pro catcher in the 1960s, and still see used today. I teach them to start with their left heel on the corner of the plate closest to 3B. That leaves the runner access to the back half before the ball is caught and greatly reduces the chances of the runner getting between the ball and the catcher. The catcher is now in good position to adjust up the 3B line, if necessary, to grab an errant throw. After receiving the throw, the catcher then pushes the tag into the runner's path. Assuming a decent throw, they're in a strong athletic position and well protected. Not a big reach to the tag, especially for older players.
Confusion on ASA ruling on blocking home plate
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I use what was taught to me as a kid by a coach who was a pro catcher in the 1960s, and still see used today. I teach them to start with their left heel on the corner of the plate closest to 3B. That leaves the runner access to the back half before the ball is caught and greatly reduces the chances of the runner getting between the ball and the catcher. The catcher is now in good position to adjust up the 3B line, if necessary, to grab an errant throw. After receiving the throw, the catcher then pushes the tag into the runner's path. Assuming a decent throw, they're in a strong athletic position and well protected. Not a big reach to the tag, especially for older players.
Malicious contact in NFHS is malicious regardless of who does it. If the offense does it, they are out and could be ejected. No way to call the defense out, so they can receive a warning or ejection for the contact.
The video you posted is from 2-3 years ago. I was able to pull the whole game up on NFHS Network and watch it. In my opinion the umpires never had any control through the entire game. There was a questionable play at 2nd that never received any attention and there was a play at the plate earlier in the game where the runner coming home did a full body cross block on the catcher who was 3' up the line attempting to throw to 1st base. Every one of the situations in the game were done by the same team as the catcher in the video. Kind of hard to believe it was not being purposely coached with that many instances all by the same team in the same game.
The video you posted is from 2-3 years ago. I was able to pull the whole game up on NFHS Network and watch it. In my opinion the umpires never had any control through the entire game. There was a questionable play at 2nd that never received any attention and there was a play at the plate earlier in the game where the runner coming home did a full body cross block on the catcher who was 3' up the line attempting to throw to 1st base. Every one of the situations in the game were done by the same team as the catcher in the video. Kind of hard to believe it was not being purposely coached with that many instances all by the same team in the same game.
- Jun 16, 2017
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That is why these rules need to be understood and enforced correctly. Many coaches will not make adjustments unless their players start getting called on it.
This is the best way to do it. As I'm sure you instruct, make sure the catcher's kneecap is pointed up the line and not to the side as the knee is most vulnerable from the side. It has to be repped though because it's more natural for catchers to turn their knee.
