Episode 5: Dirt Circuit Drills (Catcher) Intro:

There are 5 drills that I have my catchers work on to hone their skills. You can choose to have them do one of these drills on a daily basis, or you can do 2-3 in that 20 min time period designated for the Dirt Circuit Drills. And whatever they are strongest in can be worked on the least.

The drills are:1. Blocking/footwork. 2. Receiving/framing. 3. Passed balls and Wild Pitches. 4. Runner on 1st/footwork to 2nd. 5. Pop Fly’s.

Blocking/Footwork:

Catchers Stance
Move in rectangular shape (left, right block/ right, forward, back block)
Hands to the side at first, then using hands
Work on picking up the ball

Receiving and Framing:

Quote- "· A bad catcher will keep all balls, balls and will turn some strikes into balls. A good catcher will keep all balls, balls and will keep all strikes, strikes. A great catcher will keep all strikes, strikes and will turn some balls into strikes.” -Cody Downing

Pitch call and set up (working corners and lower part of the strike zone).
Receiving (sticking the catch) Drills (Plyos for corners and weighted balls for lower portion of the strike zone/J-Bands to work the lower part of the strike zone/wrist weights any part of the strike zone/rapid fire drills).

Passed balls and Wild Pitches:

Steps: 1. remove Helmet, 2. locate ball, 3. sprint to the ball, 4. throw your helmet away from the play, 5. slide, 6. push and twist, 7. feed the ear, 8. throw from where you are.
Walkthrough at first and then move to game like action.
Drill with partner behind the catcher.

Runner on 1st/footwork to 2nd:

Let the ball travel (use plyos or weighted balls).
Walk the throw (use a line for a visual), jog the throw, run the throw.
This is about learning to allow the ball to travel and the footwork.

Catching a foul ball:

Steps: 1. helmet off, 2. turn your back to the pitcher, 3. locate the ball, 4. move towards the ball, 5. toss the helmet AWAY FROM THE PLAY, 6. secure the ball with 2 hands, 7. next play.
Use a pitching machine.
Terrain to cover: Story of 2018 College visit.
Philosophy is for the guys to be called off, before they give up on a ball.

Personal Note:

Voice in the choir
Covid-19 and a new way to teach
Money for my program
Family, Mortality and Legacy

Outro:

Send any feedback to revolutionbaseballpodcast@yahoo.com

catcher drills

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