Im a freshman catcher and l need to improve on my blocking balls in the dirt and throwing out runners? What are some good drills to do that would improve on either or even both?
Catching Coach: My stance is very low. Im ussually on my heels, literally,when l have a runner on base and sometimes have my right foot back a little to have a quicker release. Also what are some good drills for balls in the dirt?

it is actually very simple.for ur arm, lift weights to improve arm strength & for accuracy just get into ur catchers squat, then hav sum1 throw u a ball from like 10 ft away & then just pop up & throw to 2nd either with someone there, or evev just throw to a fence about 120 ft away with a square taped on it or something

for ur blocking, it is even simpler.just go into ur squat & have someone stand about 5 ft away & hav them just throw the ball into the dirt right behind the plate & keep moving u left & right.

remember, the key to blocking is to get in front of the ball.you dont block with ur glove, u block with ur body

Curious Fin,

My name is Coach Weaver & l run the New England Catching Camp in New Hampshire. My website is catchingcamp.com. You can read detailed to both of ur questions on the site.

For other readers on this site l have this to offer.

The single most important thing that must be correct first to block & throw well is ur stance. If ur runners-on stance is not correct then u will continually not be able to execute either skill consistently.

For runners on l like the feet set wider then the hips with the feet pointed up the baselines. Your heels need to always be in contact with the ground. When u go down into ur stance the top of ur thighs should end up parallel with the ground, & ur knees should be behind ur toes.

Your throwing hand should be out in front in a fist, tucked behind the glove.

Let me know how ur stance looks & l will be glad to offer assistance.

Let me start by saying l do not disagree with Coach Weaver.

Lets start with the proper way to block a ball. As this is the best way to build trust with ur pitcher & ur coach. Then l will go in to throwing runners out.

In a receiving position. the knees drop together replacing the feet..Bang! the quicker u can do this the better. Your glove (and bare hand wich should be behind the glove with runners on) ''flip''(wrists up) with the bare hand on the bottom & the glove blocking(and protecting the bare hand) the ''5 hole'' or space between ur legs. Your posture should be slightly scrunched with a slight lean forward. Block with the middle of ur chest protector The scrunch & lean will absorb the energy & put the ball in an ideal spot for u to see & pick up quickly. Remember, never bare hand a moving ball only a ball that is dead. Step past the ball with ur back foot by about 6 inches. This will allow u to already be aimed at ur target & pick the ball up in a good throwing position.no load or crow hop needed.

Drills
1. Point drill : no ball. partner points left right or straight down for direction to block.(work on speed of dropping flipping & scrunching.

2. Blocking no glove(tennis ball) Partner calls out left right or down then throws the ball to that spot. Drop flip & scrunch .keep the ball in the middle of ur body. Partner then surprises u & does not tell u before he throws.

3.Blocking with glove .same thing.

4. Block & scramble: Block ball & throw to 1st or 2nd (remember to step just past the ball with back foot on dead ball & scoop with both on a rolling ball.)

Wild pitch drill: No matter how good u r there will be pitches that u have no shot at blocking. Have a partner roll a ball past u to the backstop. catcher sprint to the ball sliding on ur left side & plant back foot against the wall & throw the ball back to ur partner at the plate.

Make sure u know what pitches will most likely need to be blocked.ie curve in the dirt ,change up away that drops due to lack of velocity. Anticipating a ball in the dirt will make u alot faster at getting the whole process started.

Now for throwing runners out stealing..Once a runner reaches 1st base ur stance behind home plate will open just a little to give u a head start in getting the lower body turned quicker.(right foot back a little further than the left.) Your throwing hand should be right behind the glove(a fist) for a quick transfer. In order to have quick hands u must have quick feet. A good drill to practice (with or with out throwing) is the T drill .Start out with a foot on each side of the T. When u start to recieve the ball u will pull u glove across ur face to ur right ear. At the same time ur whole body turns with it & ur feet should be on the straight line of the T. Then keeping that front shoulder closed & pointed right at ur target u throw with downward motion(get ur chest down) a one hopper is perfect. If u call a pitch out it should be thrown in the other batters box about head high & u should be attacking the ball (moving forward & right to recieve it) The faster u can get ur feet & body turned the faster u can get rid of the ball. You will need a lot of help from ur pitchers holding runners close & being quick to the plate. Your pitchers need to be 1.3 or lower to the plate(from first movement) in order to give u a chance. Tell them to hold the ball for different amounts of time so they do not fall into a pattern.
If u have any other questions u can email me.
Good Luck

Oh man im going to make ur day.. l went to Vanderbilts baseball camp a few weeks ago & Head Coach Tom Griffin from Carson-Newman was there helping catchers. He said if we emailed him he'd give us a list of drills. So here is what he says. Get ready, its long. You may want to copy & paste & print it out.



Drills- Receiving
Hand Slaps- With partner- Hands on top or on side.
DL Hands-
Juggle- Juggle 2 balls with ur glove hand.
Shadow- With ball in hand, catcher moves glove hand to area that partner points to.
Inside/outside- With open hand, move hand to thrown balls on the inside & outside corner. Use tennis balls or waffle balls from 30’. Direct ball to the middle
Frisbee- Throw Frisbee to areas of the strike zone.
Soft Hands- From 30’ use tennis balls, waffle balls, or ping pong balls to receive throws. On hard surfaces, mix in a bounce with tennis balls
Walk Up- Start from 60’, throw pitches as u walk toward catcher. Stop at 20’, make about 5 to 7 throws
30’- Throw from 30’ away to different areas of the strike zone
Tennis Racquet- Hit tennis balls with some velo, from 30’ to 60’.
Handcuffs- Thrower should be on the third base line, 30 ‘ away, catcher face straight ahead. Throws should be to those areas that handcuff catchers, down & in. Also, work on the first base side.
Quick Hands- Throw balls rapidly with backhand arm motion from 15’ to 20’. With 2 people, alternate throws to different spots in the strike zone.
Angles- Move from center to one side of the catcher, 20’ away. Throws should be to the outside of the catcher. Working on getting around the ball.
Hops- Hop side ways, ball thrown during movement, catch & reverse hops.
Glove Flips- Start with glove on down & in pitch, thrower throw to the opposite side. Alternate starting position.
Short Hops- Partner throws short hops from 30’. Work on forehand & backhand.
Out of the Zone- Partner throws pitches that r out of the strike zone at all areas.

Blocking-
Sit & Hit- Get into blocking position, partner throw short hops into body. Work on feeling ball & glove flip to block the middle
Glove Flips- With legs in blocking position, flip glove to middle, left or right. React to partner pointing.
3 Ball- Place 3 balls in front, react & block to where partner points.
Sway- Sway from side to side, shift body to block left or right. Create momentum.
Down the Line- Place 5 balls in a row, 3 to 5’ apart. Catcher will block balls moving down the line. Working on blocks left & right.
Hops- Catcher will hop sideways, partner will lead him with a short hop to block. After blocking, start in other direction.
Angles- Similar to above drill with receiving, balls r now blocked. Catcher starts angled, after block is facing toward thrower.
Goalie- Set up a goal behind the catcher. Throw balls to try to score. Allow the catcher to recover quickly, before throwing next ball.
Turn Around- Catcher starts with back to you. On ur command, catcher will hop around & read the trajectory of the thrown ball.
Game Savers- Throw balls to far right & left of catcher. Work on getting hands to the ball & save a run.
WORK ON AT LEAST 3 DRILLS EVERYDAY

Throwing-
Glove Hand Transfer- No glove, work on transfer of ball to throwing hand.
Tic Tac Toe Board- Work on all footwork for throws on board
Double Play- Throw to 2nd , taking a feed from partner standing on 3rd base line, like u r turning two. Create momentum for throw,
QB Drill- Work back & change directions on command. Throw to bag when partner calls that bag out.
In-Out-Face the bag u r throwing to, backpedal 3 to 4 steps (quickly)-then throw to bag.
Ladder- Use a 6’ ladder to throw over to 2nd base. Position it about 15’ away.
Jump-rope/soccer ball
THROW EVERYDAY

Throwing Drills-Warm-up properly
-2 Knees- From 30’ to 100’
-1 Knee/10 Toes/Stride/ Throw
-Goalpost/Hands together/Stride-facing partner/Same w/hands together/Stride


BUNTS AND POPUPS- DRILL ON DAYS 1, 3, 5
TAG PLAYS AND FORCE PLAYS- DRILL ON DAYS 2,4,6
WILD PITCHES AND RELAY DRILL- DRILL ON DAYS 2 AND 5 (Relay drill-block-recover/wild pitch/popup)

COMMUNICATION TO INFIELD AND OUTFIELD
ANTICIPATE
COMING AT YOU
WANT THE BALL
WHO WANTS IT
KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING
COMMUNICATE
BE READY
GOOD FEEDS
PLAY CATCH
STAY DOWN
THRU YOUR CUTS
KEEP IT IN FRONT
EXPECT THE BALL
# OF OUTS

BALL HIT TO INFIELDER
COME GET IT
STAY DOWN
BE QUICK
GOT TIME
EAT IT

COMMUNICATION TO PITCHERS
GOOD SPOT
GOOD PITCH
GOOD MISS
GOOD THOUGHTS
RELAX
RHTYHM
ONE PITCH AT A TIME
PLAY CATCH
STAY POSTIVE
COMPETE
WIN THIS BATTLE
FOCUS
STAY WITH ME
KNOW WHO YOU ARE WORKING WITH (MAN ON FIRST)

For Elite Catching Camp information, go to carsonnewmaneagles.com
2009 summer date for High School players, June 28-30.
catchingtips.com- To order the catching video

If you want to get ur arm stronger dont lift weights just do a lot of long toss.