Catching 101 – Baseball Catcher Blocking Drills

Short Summary

1. The video segment features a coach conducting drills for catchers to improve their blocking skills.
2. The first drill involves the coach kneeling 15 to 25 feet in front of the plate and throwing balls directly down the middle for the catcher to block.
3. The next practice focuses on blocking balls to the glove side, with the coach throwing from a 45° angle to simulate balls bouncing outside the catcher’s knee.
4. They then switch to practice blocking balls to the catcher’s arm side.
5. The following drill, called “half and half,” has the coach randomly throwing balls either in the air or in the dirt, challenging the catcher to react quickly without knowing what to expect.
6. Lastly, a hockey goalie drill is introduced, where a goal is set up with fence posts, and the coach rapidly fires balls at the catcher, who must stop them using any means necessary.