Blocking

Practice blocking through progression drills. This is a great way to stay sharp during the winter months. For example; Start in the blocking position, letting the ball hit your chest. This drill will improve upper body control. From there start with your glove in the receiving position on your knees, as the ball bounces of the ground practice covering the space between your legs. Lastly, practice blocking from the squat, with emphasis on cutting the angle to baseball. Hope that helps.
Feel free to email me with any questions

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I do a similar blocking progression, but I add retrieving the ball (and sometimes making a short throw). For that reason, I add a first step where the ball is simply laying in front - having already been "blocked." In each successive step, they continue to retrieve it (and maybe throw).

Sounds great. To add a wrinkle to your retrieving, try replacing your knee with your feet when getting up to retrieve. Make sure you don't use your hands to push off the ground on the way up. This is a great way to strengthen your legs and improve quickness. Good Luck, any questions just ask.

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Just some good ol` have someone throw balls at you in the dirt.Make sure you use proper form

Blocking's fun, isn't it? That's why people say we are all crazy for catching. If you want arm strength stuff, try using a medical band. That's how I start most of my workouts.

-Kevin

Sitting behind home plate, put three balls on the ground, one at each "point" at the back of the plate.

Then set up in your "runners on base" stance and drop down into the correct blocking position, leading with your hands, replacing your feet with your knees and scooting your feet together behind you.

Drop behind the ball at the middle point 10-20 times, then drop behind the ball on the right point 10-20 times, etc.

OnBaseball,

You have a PM

I agree with the blocking drills. It is nice when you can get someone to toss balls in the dirt to you. As for arm strength, lots and lots of long toss. I wrecked my shoulders playing football, but my little brother is a sophomore about to begin his second season as the starting varsity catcher. He has strengthened his arm and avoided injury with a lot of long toss.