2forU posted:Wesleythecacther posted:2forU posted:Pop time and velocity are the most important aspect of catching to any coach who's job is on the line for choosing a catcher. It's expected and those that have it, are expected to receive and block, read the bat and runners, and manage the pitchers. Lots of people will say receiving is most important, but they will choose a guy who has a cannon for an arm over a receiver any day of the week because they believe they can teach receiving and the other catching attributes. What I wrote is based on my experience, conversations with many coaches, and some professional pitching coaches. The professional pitching coaches love framing and reading and believe that is most important, but you will never get that opportunity at that level if you do not have velocity to take you through the underlying systems. Velocity is an easy disqualifier. Work on velocity.
Thanks for the feedback, how can I work on and better velocity?
Search this site for velocity. you will find programs geared to throwing velocity. Kyle Boddy, Eric Cressey come to mind. Advanced Baseball in Burke VA has a great velocity program - you can check them out on the web (weighted balls (light, normal, heavy and body training, etc.) You can train your swing there as well. You can greatly improve your stick and release with some of the suggestions that have been made in your posts - the quick release as an example. If I remember correctly from the time the ball hits your glove to release should be approximately .8 seconds. There is a formula breakdown on why sub 2 second pop times are required to get fast base runners out, from pitch release to your throw. Download a free app to your phone called Technique (it used to be ubersense). Slow motion video capture and replay will let you get an approximate time on what you are doing and you can start to watch yourself so you can see what other see. There is a comparison component to it as well so you see before and after improvements, but I think you need to pay for that. Good for swing training as well. Genetics will be a limiting factor to how fast you can throw the ball, no matter the program you choose, but they can help you become the best you can become. Have fun doing this, it's great!
Thank you for the advice! I will look at other posts and use the advice I've gotten in here.