High school
Catching
All positions
Intermediate
Blocking and Receiving Combination Drills
Combined blocking and receiving series that forces the catcher to decide block versus receive and then recover cleanly into a throwing position.
- Equipment:
- Full field
- Duration:
- About 12 min
- Setting:
- Indoor or outdoor
- Players:
- Partner
Coaching notes
Catcher works a mix of dirt balls and strikes from a partner or machine, practicing the decision to block or receive and the subsequent recovery and transfer.
Objectives
Improve the block/receive decision, recovery speed, and the ability to transition from defense to offense.
Coaching cues
Read the trajectory early; commit to block or receive; recover low and quick; transfer cleanly.
Common errors
Late decision; stiff block that bounces the ball; slow recovery; poor transfer.
Steps
- 1. Mix of dirt and strike pitches
- 2. Decide block or receive
- 3. Recover and transfer
- 4. Add throw-downs periodically
Source:
Catch This
