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Off-season work for a catcher.

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  • #1

    Off-season work for a catcher.

    During our middle school season, my son was the #2 catcher. When our #1 went down with an injury, he was forced into full time duty for the last half of the season (just ended). Looking forward to next season, my son has decided to focus on being a catcher full time, while our #1 has expressed an interest in returning as a short stop...he is very good at this postition by the way.

    What I've noticed over the season is that our pitchers have not held runners very well, and for the most part, our catchers haven't had a chance to throw anyone out. Occasionally, we would have a close play, but more times than not, it wasn't. In my son's case, I've noticed that he has lacked the arm strength to get the ball to 2b with any velocity. While he doesn't seem to have a problem with the distance, the ball seems to lose its zip prior to getting there. He has expressed an interest that he wants to work on his throws and footwork during the off season. Naturally, as a dad, I want to do all I can to help him. Now, can you all please help me by offering me some good advice as to what kind of drills, dvd's, or reading material will help?

    Thanks in advance.
    Sonny
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  • #2
    Originally posted by Sonny View Post
    During our middle school season, my son was the #2 catcher. When our #1 went down with an injury, he was forced into full time duty for the last half of the season (just ended). Looking forward to next season, my son has decided to focus on being a catcher full time, while our #1 has expressed an interest in returning as a short stop...he is very good at this postition by the way.

    What I've noticed over the season is that our pitchers have not held runners very well, and for the most part, our catchers haven't had a chance to throw anyone out. Occasionally, we would have a close play, but more times than not, it wasn't. In my son's case, I've noticed that he has lacked the arm strength to get the ball to 2b with any velocity. While he doesn't seem to have a problem with the distance, the ball seems to lose its zip prior to getting there. He has expressed an interest that he wants to work on his throws and footwork during the off season. Naturally, as a dad, I want to do all I can to help him. Now, can you all please help me by offering me some good advice as to what kind of drills, dvd's, or reading material will help?

    Thanks in advance.
    Sonny

    Sonny- There only one thing you should do - get CatchingCoach's DVD or better yet try to get to his summer camps. The DVD is inexpensive and if does not help you I'll buy it from you. Visit his site at New England Catching Camps- he also has alot of free stuff.
    Jake
    Last edited by Jake Patterson; 04-16-2008, 03:29 AM.
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    • #3
      I'll second the suggestion on Catching Coach's DVD. Breaks down the proper footwork to make the throw down to second so that even my 9 yo was able to pick it up quickly.

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      • #4
        I will third that motion get the DVD

        He will grow and gain arm strength. My son is going through the same thing, it is about half way through JV season here, he was third string youngest catcher/player on the team. Now second string and learning from a very good first sting catcher and a great coach. Next year if he keeps working on his throw down move to second base he should see a lot of time. The newengland catcher DVD gave him the basics of catching. Very good fundamental on blocking, which is one of the most important aspects of catching. Oh, this is my sons second year of catching and first full year at the position.

        He went to a catcher pitcher camp that a local college had last summer and at the young age of 12 they used him as an example of good blocking technique after they did videos of all the other catchers. I attribute that to his hard work and the The New England Catcher DVD.

        Oh just tell your son to remember %25 of the players stealing second base get thrown out and that is a very very good average for any catcher.

        As a father all I am doing now is supporting my son and letting a very good coach lead our team to a 8-1 season so far. Oh this coach was good when he had a losing season also. He teaches the kids and lets them earn there position. The least politics I have every seen.

        Sorry did not mean to go on about my son, but all I have seen is improvement and one of the reason for his good basics fundamentals is the DVD.

        tell your son to have fun at the #2 position,

        drill
        Yogi Berra was asked by a reporter "How do you catch a knuckle ball?" He came right back and said "When it stops rolling"

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        • #5
          Keep working on footwork. Proper and good footwork will really help the other areas of the position (receiving, blocking, throwing).

          I will recommend the Catching Camp DVD as well, but also take a look at Tom Griffin's DVD at www.catchingtips.com. I actually like Coach Griffin's DVD better, but both have a lot of solid information so you can't go wrong with either one.

          Good luck and keep working.

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          • #6
            At the least I was going to suggest looking at the Online Camp part of Catching Coach's website.

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            • #7
              Thanks for all of the suggestions...
              I'll keep you informed on his progress.

              Sonny

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