Baseball drill
Catcher blocking drill
A catcher starts on their knees in the blocking position while a coach bounces balls in front of them, so they learn to keep the ball in front with the body before adding footwork. A safe first blocking drill for any age.
At a glance
- Sport
- Baseball and Softball
- Skill
- Catchers
- Ages
- 10U to High school
- Players
- 2 (a catcher and a coach or partner)
- Time
- About 10 minutes
- Level
- Beginner
- Equipment
- Full catcher's gear, Catcher's mitt, A bucket of balls (soft or safety balls to start)
- Indoors
- Yes
A catcher who blocks well saves runs without anyone noticing: the runner on third stays on third because the ball in the dirt never got away. Blocking is also the skill young catchers fear most, because the job is to let a bouncing ball hit them.
This drill takes the legs out of it. The catcher starts already on their knees in the blocking position, so all they have to think about is the glove, the chest and the angle of the body. Once that is automatic, the same catcher can work on dropping into it from the squat.
Setup
- The catcher puts on full gear and kneels in the blocking position: knees on the ground, glove on the ground between the knees, chest over the glove and leaning forward, chin tucked.
- The coach stands or kneels 10 to 15 feet in front with a bucket of balls. Start with soft or safety balls, especially with young catchers.
- Indoors, use a mat or turf: a gym floor makes balls skip faster than dirt.
How to run it
- The coach throws a ball that bounces a foot or two in front of the catcher.
- The catcher keeps the glove down between the knees, closing the gap, and lets the ball hit the chest protector, rounding the shoulders so it drops in front.
- After each block the catcher finds the ball and points to it, or picks it up, so they finish every play.
- Now and then the coach throws a ball in the air instead. The catcher catches it normally, which stops them from guessing that every ball is a block.
- Do sets of eight to ten, then move the throws a little left and right so the catcher has to angle the body back toward home plate.
Coaching points
- The glove covers the hole between the knees. That is where the ball gets through.
- Chest over the ball and leaning forward, so the ball hits the protector and drops in front instead of bouncing away.
- Chin down to protect the throat, eyes on the ball all the way in. The mask does its job.
- Soft body, not a stiff one. The catcher is trying to absorb the ball, not attack it.
- Block, don't catch. Reaching for a ball in the dirt with the glove is how it ends up at the backstop.
Common mistakes
- Flinching, turning the head or lifting the glove as the ball arrives.
- Sitting up straight, so the ball hits the chest and caroms away.
- Trying to pick the ball cleanly with the mitt instead of blocking it with the body.
- Coaches throwing too hard too soon. Confidence comes first; speed comes later.
By age
10U
Use safety balls or tennis balls and throw underhand. Most of the drill is getting comfortable with the ball hitting the gear.
12U and 14U
Use real balls once the position is solid. When the knees-down blocks are clean, start from the squat and drop to the knees on the bounce.
High school
Throw harder and to both sides, and add the full sequence: drop, block, find the ball and come up ready to throw.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why start a blocking drill on the knees?
Starting in the blocking position takes the footwork out, so the catcher learns where the glove and chest belong and gets used to the ball hitting the gear. The drop from the squat comes after.
What balls should I use for catcher blocking drills?
Soft or safety balls at first, especially with young catchers. Move to real balls once the catcher stays down and keeps the glove between the knees without flinching.
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