Teaching Catchers

Here are some articles on how to teach catchers:

• Teaching Catchers to Block the Ball
  
• Handling Passed Balls
  
• Catching Tips
  
• Blocking Drills
  

Sample Tips:

• I will never make a better, more accurate throw then one made when I am balanced, under control, and have my momentum going towards my target.
  
• Never pick up the baseball with only the glove or only the bare hand. The hand and glove must work together. This can be referred to as "raking" the baseball. A common error is made when a catcher tries to pick the ball up with only one hand. If the ball is not fielded the first time, the catcher may panic and continue having trouble picking up the ball, kick the ball, or field it and make a bad throw because they are in a hurry. Two hands will give you a greater opportunity to field the ball the first time.
  
• I believe one of the main reasons for bad throws by catchers after fielding is that the catchers pick up the ball before being set up and aligned properly for the throw. Then, when they have picked up the ball the brain kicks into “throwing mode” and they make the throw regardless of how they are aligned to the target.