obbay
Banned
About 10 years ago, The late great Dave Weaver taught DD to learn to catch with her feet flat on the ground, making her more stable. I bought that. When DD#2 took up pitching, I took up catching and found that by keeping my feet flat on the ground, not only am I more balanced, but the thigh burn goes away and the knees hold up better. Whenever I have seen something to be so clearly positive, I have always found it to be the right way to do something. I turn 60 this year and have no problem dropping into a low crouch with good posture at any time. Needless to say, over the past 10 years I have been continuously recommending catchers to catch with feet flat on the ground.
I am still seeing kids being coached by adults (both former baseball and softball players) who are told to stay up on their toes. I asked one "coach" about this and she said it's because they can't pop up quick enough with their feet flat on the ground. She doesn't care about thighs burning or their knees, they'll get stronger over time "just like I did".
So is there a recognizable and accepted benefit to rising up on the toes when catching, or us this just an old school carry over like wrist flicks and squish the bug (both of which are alive and well in Massachusetts.)
Thanks!
I am still seeing kids being coached by adults (both former baseball and softball players) who are told to stay up on their toes. I asked one "coach" about this and she said it's because they can't pop up quick enough with their feet flat on the ground. She doesn't care about thighs burning or their knees, they'll get stronger over time "just like I did".
So is there a recognizable and accepted benefit to rising up on the toes when catching, or us this just an old school carry over like wrist flicks and squish the bug (both of which are alive and well in Massachusetts.)
Thanks!