How to know when to block or receive.

@landonb08 posted:

I want to know how to determine if I should block or receive a pitch as a catcher.  Are there any good videos or tips to help me?

Block when it bounces, catch it if it doesn't.

Catching is the same like hitting, in your mind you have to continue the path of the ball flight before it gets there so you can get your glove/bat to the spot where the ball will be a split second later. As a catcher that is actually easier than as a hitter because you know the pitch type unless there is a sign cross up.

This takes experience of course and for example with a breaking ball you more often need to block the ball than with fastballs.

This ones about experience and reps.  Practice your backhanded picks a lot and you'll eventually pick up how to determine if you really should have picked it or blocked it.  Until then, when in doubt, block.