11U–12U
Catching
All positions
Beginner
Full Blueprint Blocking Progression for Youth Catchers
Structured multi-stance blocking blueprint that moves from secondary stance to single-knee and side blocks, with clear checkpoints for hips, shoulders, and glove.
- Equipment:
- Glove
- Duration:
- About 12 min
- Setting:
- Indoor or outdoor
- Players:
- Partner
Coaching notes
Catchers rate themselves red/yellow/green on each checkpoint (hips back, shoulders rolled, toothpick arms, etc.) and work through a progressive series of blocks from different stances. Designed as a complete youth development pathway.
Objectives
Give youth catchers a clear, measurable path to becoming reliable blockers; identify and fix individual weaknesses; build confidence through structured progression.
Coaching cues
Hips back; shoulders rolled forward; toothpick arms; glove outside the body on sides; toe up on slides.
Common errors
Hips too high; shoulders open; wide or narrow base; incomplete lateral push.
Steps
- 1. Rate current ability on each checkpoint
- 2. Secondary-stance blocks
- 3. Single-knee and side blocks
- 4. Rapid-fire and game-speed reps once fundamentals are clean
