Catcher Development SessionStandard Performance · Practice Plan P-03
A dedicated session for the position that runs the field. Receiving, blocking, throwing footwork and game management, sequenced so gear stays on and reps stay high. Works for baseball and softball catchers.
Warmup + hips and wrists0:00 · 10 min
- Jog and dynamic stretch, extra hip openers and deep squat holds (6 min)
- Bare hand tennis ball receiving: 15 catches each hand, soft hands, quiet body (4 min)
Receiving0:10 · 15 min
- Stance check: primary (nobody on) vs. secondary (runners on), 2 minutes of holds each
- Coach flips from 15 ft: 10 reps glove-side, 10 arm-side, stick every pitch
- Bottom-of-zone work: 10 low strikes, catch the top half of the ball, no stabbing
- Partner round: catchers grade each other, 5 pitches each, loudest call wins
Blocking0:25 · 15 min
- Dry blocks: 8 center, 8 glove-side, 8 arm-side, chin tucked, hands kill the ball
- Live blocks with soft balls from 20 ft: 12 reps mixed locations
- Block and recover: block, find the ball, replace feet, show throw. 8 reps
- Finish: 3-ball scramble drill, block three in a row, timed
Throwing footwork0:40 · 15 min
- Transfer races: 10 clean transfers from the mitt, best time to release position
- Footwork to second: jab-step reps without a throw, 8 reps, then 6 live throws to a base or cone
- Footwork to third: glove-side clear and throw, 6 reps
- Softball: back-pick footwork to first, 6 reps
Game management0:55 · 12 min
- Coach calls situations, catcher answers out loud: who covers, where is the play, what is the count doing
- Pitch calling talk: what do you throw 0-2 vs. 2-0 and why. Let the catchers argue
- Umpire care: how to ask about a call without losing the zone for your pitcher
Wrap1:07 · 8 min
- Each catcher names one thing they will own this weekend behind the plate
- Assign: 2 arm care sessions, wrist and forearm work, hydration daily
- Gear check: mitt shaped, gear clean, helmet fits, bring it all Saturday
Coach's noteCatchers take more reps than anyone. Watch fatigue on blocking day and cut volume for the younger group before form gets ugly. A catcher who can receive and block at 12U will start every game they ever try out for.
standardperformance · free for every coach · share it with your league
Train smart. Parent and coach supervision required. Stop any drill that causes arm pain.