Blocking the ball in the dirt

[leftout]

Could you offer a few drills where I could help my son block more ball in the dirt?

[bkwrdkurout]

If he is a catcher, put him in full gear with his hands behind his back with no mitt. Bounce tennis balls off of every part of his body and also use tennis balls to bounce in front of him. Have him 'curl' or "cobra" his shoulders so that when he blocks a ball it does not shoot away from him to far.

[coach2709]

I currently coach the catchers at the school I teach at now and here are the drills I use to prepare my guys.

First teach them the different stances and why they have to use them. Sign stance is right knee turned in and left knee slightly out with the left wrist on top of the shin guard and the mitt hanging down. Now you can give signs because both base coaches SHOULD be blocked. Don't let your fingers go below your cup and get your butt down on your heels. Nobody on stance is get as long and small as you can. Kick your feet out and get on the inside edge of your feet to bring your legs together and get your butt on the ground (or as close as you can). This helps the ump see the zone. You need to block out of this position as well but it will be more difficult. Runner on stance is when you kick the feet out and have your thighs parallel to the ground. Get your back flat to help the ump see over you.

First drill is the eye open drill. I put my guys in full gear and put them in block position with hands blocking the five hole. I stand about 20 feet away and throw balls at them pretty hard. I will bounce them into the body and hit them in the air on the body. I will throw at their heads and hit them in the helmet. Another catcher will be standing next to them watching their eyes. If they blink they have push ups. You condition the eyes to stay open and keep focus on the pitch. Nothing worse than blocking a pitch and then having to open your eyes to try and find the ball. The reality of the situation is that they are going to blink but you condition them that it's a quick blink but I have had guys be able to not blink.

Second drill is the three ball drill. I set up three balls - one middle of body and one outside of each knee - and I say "ready, set, go" and on go they shift and get into block position over the ball I call out. Make sure they aren't a motorcycle ramp with their shoulders up / out. Have them block pitches by leading with the hands to the ball so they get the 5 hole blocked. After going to all three balls have them go to the ball on the outside so the other two are on their left (and right coming back). Have them block down (middle), set back up over the outside ball and then shift to the 2nd (middle) ball. Set back up over the outside ball and then have them super shift to the ball to theri far side. This forces them to rely on a shift instead of trying to rely on a scoop. Force them to gain some ground.

Third drill is hands behind his back. Bounce balls straight ahead and have them work on making the ball hit them square in the body to control the rebound.

Next step on this drill is have them get behind the plate facing the mound but you throw balls from about 20 feet inside the baselines. Now the ball is coming in from an angle which forces them to work around the ball and get them facing you up the baseline as if it was a curve ball.

Fourth drill is the same above but with hands in front.

Fifth drill is block and recover. Put your extra catchers up the baseline about 70 feet or behind the mound 15 - 20 feet. Have your catcher behind the plate block whatever you throw and then recover to throw to his buddy at whatever base. This helps with recognition of controlling the ball after the block and then footwork on the throw.

Sixth drill is blind recover. Have them get in block position and close their eyes. Drop the ball behind them somewhere. Say go and they have to get up and find the ball. Key things here is teach them to take their right hand to take off the mask while using the left arm to go back and help direct the ump where to go to get him out of the way while spinning counter clockwise (to the left). Most umps are trained to bail this way but using the arm to bar his direction helps convince him to stick with his training. Have the catcher now facing the backstop and start looking directly down between his feet and then expanding outward from there. Having this routine will help find the ball faster and keep him from looking stupid doing the back and forth panic feet twist dance. Like I said teach them to block with eyes open but prepare them in case they don't.

There are more drills I'm sure I do but can't think of them off the top of my head but these drills are the ones I rely on the most.

[RSR_man]

Great stuff coach. I'm going to have smoke now after reading that novel.

Keep up the good work.

[lita11]

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