11U–12U
Catching
All positions
Beginner
BLOCKING PROGRESSION FOR CATCHERS (D-BAT Troy)
Simple multi-step blocking progression that builds confidence and proper body position from stationary to full movement for youth and high-school catchers.
- Equipment:
- Full field
- Duration:
- About 10 min
- Setting:
- Indoor or outdoor
- Players:
- Partner
Coaching notes
Catchers progress through chin-tuck, smother, stick, and tag phases, starting stationary and adding movement and recovery.
Objectives
Build confidence in blocking, reinforce proper posture (chin tucked, body over the ball), and teach recovery/tag after the block.
Coaching cues
Tuck the chin; smother the ball; stick the block; recover and tag.
Common errors
Lifting the head; stiff body that lets the ball bounce away; slow recovery after the block.
Steps
- 1. Stationary block with chin tucked
- 2. Add smother and stick
- 3. Add recovery and tag
- 4. Progress to side-to-side and full movement
Source:
D-BAT Troy
