Finally took and downloaded some video of my son catching. Any input or suggestions from those who know would be appreciated.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8pwURUUzEc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyKsbzciw-Q
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I like his transfer and his feet.
I think he needs to remove the Knee Savers. He doesn't have a secondary stance...he simply sits back on the Knee Savers, which is a no-no with runners on base.
I think he needs to remove the Knee Savers. He doesn't have a secondary stance...he simply sits back on the Knee Savers, which is a no-no with runners on base.
Looks like he can flat out catch and throw.
At least he could for me.
Great hands. Good looking splits.
He does get up a a bit with runners on base, yet his very quick transfer makes up for a complete
"secondary stance", and OBTW are not taught anymore.
I may suggest providing a full open glove target look for those picky starting pitchers.
Maybe start catching those 85-90+ arms , if there is any around in SE PA.
Does he bat left handed?
At least he could for me.
Great hands. Good looking splits.
He does get up a a bit with runners on base, yet his very quick transfer makes up for a complete
"secondary stance", and OBTW are not taught anymore.
I may suggest providing a full open glove target look for those picky starting pitchers.
Maybe start catching those 85-90+ arms , if there is any around in SE PA.
Does he bat left handed?
Thanks guys! I will pass on the input.
Most of the kids(15u) he caught this year were 76-82 range. His last game he caught a kid who signed with a low/mid D1 program. We were told throws 86? I would hope he will catch some kids in the upper 80's next year. He is shut down for football right now.
He bats right, but is left-handed. As a kid he chose to play baseball right-handed. Golf, tennis, football left? He has worked on switch-hitting over the the last couple winters, but doesn't in games.
Thanks again for taking the time to look at the video and give your thoughts.
Most of the kids(15u) he caught this year were 76-82 range. His last game he caught a kid who signed with a low/mid D1 program. We were told throws 86? I would hope he will catch some kids in the upper 80's next year. He is shut down for football right now.
He bats right, but is left-handed. As a kid he chose to play baseball right-handed. Golf, tennis, football left? He has worked on switch-hitting over the the last couple winters, but doesn't in games.
Thanks again for taking the time to look at the video and give your thoughts.
Shooting video from the 1st base side is more revealing of catchers technique.
REDBIRD5, you have a PM - thanks.
Wow I didn't know catching had changed so much. I would like to see him block from that stance. Also need to try to beat the ball to the spot.
I have a couple of thoughts. Most of them are NIT-PICKING, but maybe it will help. Let me first say that it looks like he has good athleticism and good hands which is a great sign. Here's what I saw:
- It looks like he is putting most of his weight on his toes when he is in the crouching position. Make sure he is well balanced when he is in his catching position. I can't tell from the video if he's sitting on his toes or on the inside soles of his feet. Either way, make sure that he is flat footed and balanced. This will allow him to better use his athleticism in his throw, as well as framing/blocking.
- He has quick feet, which is good, but on both throws it looked like he was using a "Pivot" or "Rock'n Fire" technique. This is where you simply shift your weight to your right foot and throw. This technique can be utilized well when there is a pitch thrown to your backhand side, but is typically much slower than "throwing on the cross" or "throwing along the L". A great drill to do would be to "T drills". Put down tape or spray tape in a cross (literally drawn like from church). Have him start with his feet on the ends of the short line of the cross. When he pops up, see where his feet are. Ideally, it would be good to have both feet on the longer line, having gained a SLIGHT amount of ground. If not on the line, then he should be parallel with that line but to the GLOVE side of the cross. I hope that makes sense... I really need a picture to explain it
- Also, I think he needs to get off of the knee savers with a runner on and try to have his thighs closer to parallel with the ground. Doesn't have to be completely parallel but close would be good. I can tell you from experience that this takes a lot of leg strength to be able to do routinely, and a good conditioning program will definitely help if he struggles with this at all.
- Finally, I would never be able to tell from video, but a really big problem that a lot of players face, including myself, is staying loose. From years of weightlifting, etc., it can become a habit to have some tenseness in the throwing arm. This leads to injuries and a lot of pain (literally! haha). Focus on being loose, and FLUID. One of the greatest attributes to have as a pitcher is looking like you're barely trying and still throwing gas. Same is true for catching. Good breathing can be key for this. Thought I'd pass that along since it has made a huge improvement for me and is a struggle for a lot of position players.
Besides those things, I didn't really see much else from those angles. Looks like he's got talent. Just tell him to work hard and continue to develop! Hope that helps!
BaseballReviewUSA.com
- It looks like he is putting most of his weight on his toes when he is in the crouching position. Make sure he is well balanced when he is in his catching position. I can't tell from the video if he's sitting on his toes or on the inside soles of his feet. Either way, make sure that he is flat footed and balanced. This will allow him to better use his athleticism in his throw, as well as framing/blocking.
- He has quick feet, which is good, but on both throws it looked like he was using a "Pivot" or "Rock'n Fire" technique. This is where you simply shift your weight to your right foot and throw. This technique can be utilized well when there is a pitch thrown to your backhand side, but is typically much slower than "throwing on the cross" or "throwing along the L". A great drill to do would be to "T drills". Put down tape or spray tape in a cross (literally drawn like from church). Have him start with his feet on the ends of the short line of the cross. When he pops up, see where his feet are. Ideally, it would be good to have both feet on the longer line, having gained a SLIGHT amount of ground. If not on the line, then he should be parallel with that line but to the GLOVE side of the cross. I hope that makes sense... I really need a picture to explain it
- Also, I think he needs to get off of the knee savers with a runner on and try to have his thighs closer to parallel with the ground. Doesn't have to be completely parallel but close would be good. I can tell you from experience that this takes a lot of leg strength to be able to do routinely, and a good conditioning program will definitely help if he struggles with this at all.
- Finally, I would never be able to tell from video, but a really big problem that a lot of players face, including myself, is staying loose. From years of weightlifting, etc., it can become a habit to have some tenseness in the throwing arm. This leads to injuries and a lot of pain (literally! haha). Focus on being loose, and FLUID. One of the greatest attributes to have as a pitcher is looking like you're barely trying and still throwing gas. Same is true for catching. Good breathing can be key for this. Thought I'd pass that along since it has made a huge improvement for me and is a struggle for a lot of position players.
Besides those things, I didn't really see much else from those angles. Looks like he's got talent. Just tell him to work hard and continue to develop! Hope that helps!
BaseballReviewUSA.com
