I'm a sophmore catcher in high school and I was wondering if you guys had any foot quickness drills that would help with getting out to bunts, quicker pop times, quicker throws to second and third base.
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This is one area where catchers can benefit from doing some drills that are normally associated with football. Agility Ladders, shuttle between cones, mini hurdles, and a few other drills can help with your footwork in the manner you're asking about.
Not many catchers do this stuff, either.
Not many catchers do this stuff, either.
FHSCatcher25,
Welcome to the high school baseball Web. The best information I have found about catching footwork, fielding bunts etc is on a DVD by Rob McDonald. http://www.baseball-excellence.com/index.cfm?method=sho...g_Detail&productID=8.
I have also sent you a PM (private message). Go to the green bar above this message, cursor on "GO" then "Personal Zone" then click on "Private Messages".
Fungo
Welcome to the high school baseball Web. The best information I have found about catching footwork, fielding bunts etc is on a DVD by Rob McDonald. http://www.baseball-excellence.com/index.cfm?method=sho...g_Detail&productID=8.
I have also sent you a PM (private message). Go to the green bar above this message, cursor on "GO" then "Personal Zone" then click on "Private Messages".
Fungo
Do some research to find any speed and agility classes that may be taking place in your area. Ladders and hurdles are great tools to getting quicker. If these programs included plyometrics using medicine balls, take a hard look into signing up. Medicine ball are a great may to improve SPORTS SPECIFIC SPEED AND AGILITY. If you have any other question feel free to send me a message.
jumping rope can help.... if you anticipate and play it over in your head before it happens you will be prepared when it happens... anticipate it and you'll be fine
"use the force, Luke" - obi wan kinobi
"use the force, Luke" - obi wan kinobi
The game Dance Dance revolution. I know it may sound corny, but it has worked for me and it is a fun way to challenge yourself and greatly improve your foot speed as well as your overall coordination.
If you can find some info or are familiar with the Bigger, Faster, Stronger dot drill it is great for foot quickness as is the jump rope.
We also have a "footwork grid" painted on the floor of our indoor facility.
On the floor we paint four sets of footprints; the first set (of two painted feet) are the catcher's recieving position, the second set are at the landing position for a jump-pivot pick-off to 1st, the third set is for a jump-pivot throw to 2nd, the last set is for a step behind throw to third. Inside the painted foot print (which could just as easily be a simple dot) we write, with a permanent marker, the appropriate number (R,1,2,or 3) to help identify them further.
We do, in rapid succession, each set three times, jumping back down to the receiving position after each move and we time the total set and keep records. Our catcher's love it.
So (in case this hasn't been explained clearly), you start in your receiving position, on the "go", the watch starts and the catcher executes the 1B footwork then back down into the rec. pos. and repeats this two more times. He continues to do three reps thru the footwork to 2nd, then 3rd. When his feet return to the rec. pos. the last time the watch stops.
We also have a "footwork grid" painted on the floor of our indoor facility.
On the floor we paint four sets of footprints; the first set (of two painted feet) are the catcher's recieving position, the second set are at the landing position for a jump-pivot pick-off to 1st, the third set is for a jump-pivot throw to 2nd, the last set is for a step behind throw to third. Inside the painted foot print (which could just as easily be a simple dot) we write, with a permanent marker, the appropriate number (R,1,2,or 3) to help identify them further.
We do, in rapid succession, each set three times, jumping back down to the receiving position after each move and we time the total set and keep records. Our catcher's love it.
So (in case this hasn't been explained clearly), you start in your receiving position, on the "go", the watch starts and the catcher executes the 1B footwork then back down into the rec. pos. and repeats this two more times. He continues to do three reps thru the footwork to 2nd, then 3rd. When his feet return to the rec. pos. the last time the watch stops.
There used to be a jump rope workout for catchers on baseballfitness.com. It consisted of side to side jumping standing up, and while in the squatting position,as well as one footed side to side.
Jumping rope is great for both quicknes and endurance. There is a video and written jump rope program on www.poweralleyonline.com. Hope it helps.
