Fantastic Training Resources for Catchers

One area in baseball that receives little attention from coaches is teaching proper catching techniques. In general, there is not enough practice time devoted to it and the result is a lack of quality catchers at all levels. The reasons for this can be attributed to a number of things, but mainly, the blame falls on coaches for not setting aside practice time and a coach’s lack of catching knowledge.

The following guide is for beginning and experienced catchers and coaches. Visual aids are provided to clarify key concepts and provide examples of correct techniques. A list of key terms and phrases is also provided at the end of each section to review the important points covered in that section. You will find some advanced tips here as well. For your convenience, a glossary of terminology is also provided.

Catcher's Stance

Stances

Catching stanaces are the foundation of a good catcher. This is where your catcher will RECEIVE a pitch from a pitcher and your catcher needs to be in the proper position. Catcher stances can be broken down into two basic catagories:

“Primary Stance”

The primary stance is “general” stance of a catcher. The catcher should only be in this stance when the bases are empty and there are less than two strikes on the pitcher. This stance is also called the “relaxed stance” because it will allow the catcher to rest his/her knees.

Primary Catching Stance

In order to get into the proper Primary Stance, have the catcher stand behind home plate with his/her feet shoulder width apart. The catcher should “square up” with the pitcher. Balance is very important to a catcher, so find a point where the player feels balanced and in a solid position. The player’s weight should be on the inside parts of his/her feet. Have the player “sit into” the catcher’s position. The catcher should be as low as they can be while still being comfortable, but remember, catchers do more than just receive pitches, they are a defensive player as well, so make sure they aren’t so low that they are no longer in an athletic position. This is a good foundation for a catcher to be in for the Primary Stance. Allow them to make adjustments to customize the feel of this stance to meet their needs.

Next, your catcher will need to set up an angle of attack and good glove spot! Arm positioning and glove angle are very important and set your catcher up for success.

To find a good glove spot have your player get into Primary, then extend their mitt hand all the way out as far as they can, without breaking the shoulder (in other words the players chest must remain squared to the pitcher). Now have them bring their mitt all the way to their chest. A good starting point is about half way in between those two glove spots. The player’s thumb should be pointed down slightly towards the plate and his/her palm should be aimed at the pitcher’s release point.

Once you’ve found your glove spot, your player’s elbow and arm positioning can be worked on. The player’s elbow should be below the mitt. Don’t allow them to be lazy and rest their arm on their shin-guard. The arm should be raised and presenting a good target to the pitcher.

The catcher should then protect his/her throwing hand by either placing it behind their backs, or behind their shoe. An easy method of teaching this is to have the catcher places his/her thumb in the heel of the shoe.

Key Points

Balance is key

Weight on inside part of feet

sit low; but be athletic

mitt spot half way

elbow below mitt

throwing hand behind shoe (tuck that thumb)

“Secondary Stance”

A catcher should be in the secondary stance any time there are runners on base, or when there are two strikes in the count. In the upper leagues, this allows the catcher to prepare for a dropped third strike, or for a runner to steal a base.

In order to get into the secondary stance, have your player stand facing the pitcher with his/her feet slightly more than shoulder width apart. Have them sit into their catchers stance, but raise his/her butt up into a low modified squat. Balance is KEY again, and raising into the modified squat should place the catcher’s weight onto the balls of his/her feet.

“Smart Catchers” will take advantage of “downtime” and rest their knees. So encourage your player to go into the primary stance at first. Once the pitcher comes “set” then he/she should raise their butt up, and spread their legs out to get into the position.

Footwork is essential in this position because you want to remain in an athletic position and be square to your pitcher. Some coaches may teach to stagger the catcher’s feet slightly to ‘cheat the throw’ on a steal attempt, but it takes away from the catcher’s primary responsibility, receiving a pitch and protecting the plate. A very slight stagger, a few inches, is ok but no more than that.

Your player’s glove spot and arm position are the same as in primary stance. The only difference is that the catcher’s throwing hand moves to behind the mitt, and not behind the catchers back or foot. The goal in making this change is to put the throwing hand that much closer to the ball, allowing for a smoother and quicker transition to the power position and throw. Remember, when teach this, the catcher’s throwing hand shouldn’t be touching the mitt, but be close enough to protect it from foul tips and wild pitches. This also helps get the catcher in a better position to get into the blocking position, two birds-one stone!

The players may be apprehensive to do this, so a tip is to work on “soft hands” and transitions with no mitt and a tennis ball. The catcher can hide their hand behind their receiving hand and gain confidence it will not get injured. Then slowly work in a real ball and they should know they’re safe.

Key Points

Same initial set-up as Primary Stance

Modified Squat

Butt slightly elevated,but stay low

Feet wider apart

Slight Stagger of feet

Throwing hand behind mitt

Not touching mitt

Be ready to strike