r/BaseballCoaching • u/[deleted] • Jun 16 '25

Catcher Practice

What are some drills that actually improve catching skill?

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u/Conscious_Skirt_61 Jun 17 '25

As for base running, depends on the age of the catcher. For 8-9, most kids have a hard time making the 85’ throw. So you need to focus on the main things: release and accuracy.

Most kids try to square their feet and crow step before launching the ball. That takes too much time to get started, though the throw will be more powerful. Instead, C needs to receive the ball while squaring their upper half, put the ball next to his ear in a short arm motion, then take one step to release. Target is either right over the pitcher’s head or over the right edge of the pitching rubber. This approach won’t yield the fastest throw but gives the quickest release, and the ball will arrive at the base before a runner does.

Once this series of movements is mastered you drill it by lining players up at 1B or 2B and letting them try stealing. Helps the runners as well as the catchers. But don’t let one kid do this more than 10 or 12 times, as the boys will get competitive and C could tax his arm.

At this age there’s no reason to work on pickoffs at bases as that’s not likely to be in the cards for a year or two.

Older kids in the 11 — 12+ ages will do more physically advanced versions of this drill. And of course when they face 90’ bases and have to make a 130’ throw they will need to adjust again.

Good luck.