How Do You Develop A Fastpitch Softball Catcher?
Teach the proper catching position. It’s OK for the catcher to sit down on their “knee savers” while warming up the pitcher, but she must get up into the proper defensive position while catching game pitches. The left foot should be slightly ahead of the right foot, allowing the catcher to get into throwing position more quickly. Teach the “soft hands” catching technique. The catcher cannot stab at the ball. She must receive it. A good drill: Have the catcher assume her game position, but without her glove. From a short distance, pitch tennis balls for her to catch with her bare hand. Work on proper blocking techniques. To catch balls in the dirt, the catcher must drop down to her knees, chest protector slightly forward, glove between the legs to close the “five-hole.” Catchers need to work on this technique regularly. Start by deliberately pitching balls in the dirt toward the catcher. For more advanced catcher, aim a pitching machine to one-hop pitches over the plate. Work on proper
