Drills for Catchers Playing Girls' Softball

Aside from the pitcher, the catcher has the most responsibility on defense. The catcher often calls the pitches, adjusts the infield or outfield and takes the brunt of it when a softball is fouled back off her equipment. The position is also challenging because catchers have to play defense with so much equipment on during the game. A softball catcher should work to develop a myriad of skills, including blocking wild pitches, throwing out runners and blocking home plate.

  1. Trash Can or Bucket Drill

    • Place a large trash can or bucket on its side right next to the inside of the second base bag. The pitcher should throw a pitch and, upon receiving it, the catcher should pop up and throw the softball to second base as if the runner were stealing. The ball should go right into the bucket or trash can without hopping. Practice over and over again working on the speed and accuracy of the throw. One tip is to stop the catcher right before she is about to throw. Make sure her front hand (the one with the glove), knee and front foot are all pointing toward second base. If not, adjust her position until it helps with her accuracy. Now move the bucket to third base and perform the drill again.

    Ping-Pong Ball Drill

    • The catcher crouches down behind the plate in full gear without her glove. The coach then throws ping-pong balls in the dirt in front of her repeatedly. The catcher works on dropping to her knees and sliding to the appropriate side in order to stop the ping-pong ball. Once she gets the hang of it, she should put on her catcher's mitt and the drill should be repeated.

    Pop-Up Drill

    • The catcher crouches behind home plate in foul territory in full gear. The coach stands directly behind the catcher and tosses the ball in foul territory while at the same time yelling "ball." The catcher must pop up from her stance, remove her helmet and mask, find the softball and make the catch. This drill should be repeated with focus on speed. The faster she removes and tosses the helmet and mask, the better the chance that she will have to find the softball and secure the catch.

    Blocking the Plate

    • One of the big jobs of a softball catcher is to block the plate when there is a play being made at home. In full gear, the catcher should straddle home plate with her glove-hand foot placed just to the left of it (up the third base line.) As she receives a throw from the coach, her knee should drop. This will cause her glove-hand leg to block the plate. Simultaneously she should sweep her hand in front of her leg simulating applying the tag. Repeat this drill as she takes throws from right field, center field and left field. Note that you should not use an actual runner in practice so that no one gets hurt.