You Have to Be Crazy to do this Catching You Have to Be Crazy to do this

Integrating desired attributes Energetic Loud Confidence Crazy Authoritative

Create an Environment Fun Challenging Safe place to do something new or crazy Free to make mistakes Moments of the Outrageous

Establish Expectation Standards Performance evaluation less subjective More cooperative/collaborative atmosphere If standard isn’t met need to make change

Create a Focus “Win the rep” Define a purpose for the drill Make it simple Easy to evaluate Eliminates mindless activity

Drills Process Based Progression Drills Technique Focus on the small details of the skill Challenge Based Drills Tougher than the game Competition with other catchers

Expectation for Receiving Catch every ball Keep every strike in the zone Give umpire good look (Quiet and out front)

Receiving Relaxed Hand Start at medium stay at medium Start Quiet Stay Quiet Beat Ball to Spot

Expectation for Blocking Prevent runner from advancing Keep ball close Recover quickly

Blocking Beat ball to spot Be soft like a Big Pillow Chest still at contact Keep glove down throughout block Down quick up quick

Expectation for Throwing Short transfer Short footwork Carry Quick enough to be pick threat

Throwing Short arm circle Spin + Extension = Carry

6 Time Killers in Transfer Go get ball with glove on receive (Extend) Catch with hands separated Glove and Hand go down as ball is being taken out of glove Throwing hand goes down out of glove Throwing arm extends back or high before throw Arm pauses before throw

Footwork Get Right Foot down ideally just before catch (Subtracts time) Short steps Right foot step is between straight and over to midline

Time Killers in Footwork Late Start Long Steps Poor Direction

Contact Info matt.husted@wheaton.edu