Drills That Improve My Catching Skills in Baseball

The catcher is considered the captain of the baseball field while his team is on defense. Not only does he call the pitchers, he also sets the infield, and communicates messages from the dugout by giving the rest of his defense signals. Not to mention, the catcher is the last line of defense before an offensive player crosses the plate. It is the catcher who is tasked with blocking the plate and tagging out the runner as he runs full steam ahead trying to score. With a role that is so versatile, there are many drills that can help improve the game of a catcher.

  1. Blocking Wild Pitches

    • While wearing full gear, the catcher should crouch behind the plate as if they are ready to receive a pitch. A coach or fellow player should stand about 30 feet in front of him, or half way to the pitcher's mound. The coach or player should throw balls in the dirt right at the catcher and to either side. The catcher must focus on dropping to his knees, moving laterally and blocking the baseball so that it stays in front of him and does not go to the backstop. This drill is especially good to perform before a game when a catcher is playing on a new field. They can get a feel for the soil and how pitches will bounce during the game.

    Snap Throws

    • When runners are on first or third base, a catcher can perform a snap throw after the pitch to try and pick off the runner. Have the first and third baseman take their position. Place a runner on each base. Instruct the pitcher to throw pitches as they would during a game. As the catcher receives the pitch, he can make a decision to throwing to first base, third base, or simply return the baseball to the pitcher. The snap throw should occur while the catcher is still in his crouched position. This means that the strength of the catcher's arm will propel the ball to the base where he throws. Instruct the catcher to focus on a quick release and accuracy to the bag.

    First and Third Situations

    • The first and third situation is a tricky one for a defense in baseball. The offense may attempt a squeeze play, double steal, single steal or several other options. To counteract this, the catcher must decide how the defense will handle these situations. The catcher has the option of throwing back to the pitcher, throwing through to second base on a steal, throwing to the short-stop, or running toward third base, just to name a few. Have the defense take the field and place a runner at first and third base. Instruct the pitcher to pitch and the runners to attempt different types of steals. The catcher should use a pre-determined signal before each pitch to designate to the defense which play is on. The catcher should then execute the play. Ultimately, the defense and the catcher are trying to stop the offense from scoring.

    Agility Drills

    • It is imperative that a catcher be limber. If a catcher has tight muscles and tendons, they can risk injury. Agility drills include things such as stretching the hamstrings and calf muscles by performing toe touches. Try jumping rope for a minute at a time or movement drills along the foul line, which include light jogging, bunny hops and skier hops (side to side).