8U Rec ball (2nd Graders) - First full season of all coach pitch (no more tee's after x # of pitches). At least 5 of the girls are excited about catching. I was able to spend 30 minutes after practice a few weeks ago (only once, unfortunately) to go over the basics (thanks to those who responded to an earlier thread).
Part 1: The "Basics"
This mostly consisted of:
1. How the equipment will protect you (put the helmet on each of them, then enjoyed throwing a softball into their faces. )
2. Protect your thumbs (thumb inside fist, hand behind back or ankle, keeping fingers pointed up to catch)
3. Stance (no stealing yet, but we did go over both the "no-runners on" stance and the "runners on / 2-strikes" stance)
4. Dropping to your knees to block (which I discovered is awfully uncomfortable when you're in shorts, even on grass!)
5. A few rounds of squatting and catching some soft tennis balls ("training" tennis balls - fairly cheap at Target or Sports Authority/Modell's, almost the size of an 11" softball, and a little bit "squishy" - makes it easier for them to grab it w/o bouncing too quickly off their palms)
I'll be purchasing the NECC videos, but for now, the only other "technique" I can think to add is how to move to the front of the plate to be ready for a throw home (again, this is 8U - lots of bases-loaded situations!). Anything I'm missing?
Part 2: Pace of Play
I know how important it is to get the catcher dressed BEFORE the inning starts, (as well as not waiting for the catcher just to start the inning), but what do other leagues do to keep the game moving when using a catcher? I was backing up our catcher when the opposing team was batting. I think I had them make the throws back to the pitcher (when she caught/blocked it). Should we just be using a bucket behind both the pitcher and catcher, and cut out the throw-backs altogether? Part of me says no, they have to learn, but I also see the benefit to everyone else of getting 5 innings in per game (90 mins) vs only 3 or 4 innings over the same timeframe.
As always, thanks for any advice you can share
Part 1: The "Basics"
This mostly consisted of:
1. How the equipment will protect you (put the helmet on each of them, then enjoyed throwing a softball into their faces. )
2. Protect your thumbs (thumb inside fist, hand behind back or ankle, keeping fingers pointed up to catch)
3. Stance (no stealing yet, but we did go over both the "no-runners on" stance and the "runners on / 2-strikes" stance)
4. Dropping to your knees to block (which I discovered is awfully uncomfortable when you're in shorts, even on grass!)
5. A few rounds of squatting and catching some soft tennis balls ("training" tennis balls - fairly cheap at Target or Sports Authority/Modell's, almost the size of an 11" softball, and a little bit "squishy" - makes it easier for them to grab it w/o bouncing too quickly off their palms)
I'll be purchasing the NECC videos, but for now, the only other "technique" I can think to add is how to move to the front of the plate to be ready for a throw home (again, this is 8U - lots of bases-loaded situations!). Anything I'm missing?
Part 2: Pace of Play
I know how important it is to get the catcher dressed BEFORE the inning starts, (as well as not waiting for the catcher just to start the inning), but what do other leagues do to keep the game moving when using a catcher? I was backing up our catcher when the opposing team was batting. I think I had them make the throws back to the pitcher (when she caught/blocked it). Should we just be using a bucket behind both the pitcher and catcher, and cut out the throw-backs altogether? Part of me says no, they have to learn, but I also see the benefit to everyone else of getting 5 innings in per game (90 mins) vs only 3 or 4 innings over the same timeframe.
As always, thanks for any advice you can share