Backstop Catching

Backstop Catching • Eliminating free bases
• Catching drills & instruction
• Comprehensive courses & information $19/month

03/04/2026

Here we are in our two feet ready position while working through the ball, bringing the low pitch up towards the middle of the zone.

Just because we set up in our two feet ready position does not mean we can't work up and steal that low strike.

In this set up we not have everything at our disposal. We can catch everything properly, we have access to block everything all around us and we can throw people out.

If you master this position as a catcher you will change the performance of your team. This is the free bases eliminator.

Be sure to mix this in during bullpens, machine work and any training sessions you have!

03/03/2026

Face the wall from a distance of about eight to ten feet away with a thrower directly behind the right shoulder of a catcher.

Catchers: make sure we’re ready, hand up, prepared to react. We need to stay smooth and focused so we don’t stab at the ball and push it away from us.

Remember, you need soft hands and soft fingers to catch tennis balls!

Distance: 8 - 10ft

Method: Underhand wall bounce

Reps: 6 - 10 a round

03/02/2026

Lay out three balls in front of home plate at any length apart. This drill will assist us in rising quickly and readying our body to throw to any base necessary.

You can predetermine which base you’ll be targeting or have coaches and/or teammates yell out the appropriate base while you’re advancing through your progression and ascending from your blocking stance. Now, we have to react and place our body in the proper position.

Depending on spatial restrictions, you can either hold your own throwing position with no throw or complete the throw to the base if possible.

03/01/2026

Let's get quicker!

Lateral resistance blocking to keep those errant balls in the dirt in front of us!

Push off with the outside leg and get yourself into position with a slight tilt of the leading shoulder back towards home plate.

Ex: If you're blocking a pitch to our left, we push off with our right and bring our left side in towards home plate to create a barrier fir the ball. Not allowing it to deflect off of us towards the 3rd base side!

Reps: 4 - 8 each side

02/28/2026

We mentioned earlier that when presenting a pitch, a good guideline is a count of "One Mississippi." This is long enough for the umpire to get a good read but short enough where you aren't trying to oversell or show them up.

Again, every umpire is different so this is why communication with them is so important. Make sure you are on the same page with them and understand what they prefer because they ultimately control the game.

Also, never just assume a pitch is a strike, especially at younger levels. Really good umpires are rare, so always allow the umpire to get a good, paused look at the pitch itself, even if it's right down the plate. We want to make their job as easy as possible and establish with them a strong rapport.

02/27/2026

Add some resistance into your receiving routine. Quicken your motion and strengthen your form for catching difficult pitches. Make that motion look as natural as possible when presenting the pitch to the umpire. Be strong and focused.

Distance: Up to full distance

Method: Overhand or machine

Reps: 6 - 10 a round

02/26/2026

This is for learning to increase your focus and improve your hand eye coordination. To catch a ping pong ball properly we need to watch it the entire way and grab it out in front of our body. Do not push the pitch away but grab it and prevent it from dragging your hand away from the zone. Catch everything towards the plate and do not violently stab at the ball!

Distance: 6 - 8ft

Method: Underhand or overhand

Reps: 6 - 10 a round

02/25/2026

Sit back on your heels, coming upward while transferring. This is a great time to really push yourself to get that ball to your backside throwing position as fast as possible!

Distance: Up to full distance

Method: Overhand or Machine

Reps: 6 - 10 a round

02/24/2026

We should always prepare for the runner trying to advance after any ball in the dirt. A good runner will be reading that ball in the dirt before it even touches the ground and, if they're speedy, try to advance on anything that bounces. Program yourself to always be prepared to throw them out after you block.

This is also referred to as "block and recover," which we will talk about next, but make it a habit that after every time you block a ball with a runner on that you prepare yourself to throw to any base that is trying to be taken! NO FREE BASES!

02/23/2026

Strengthen the path and motion of your transfers with weighted balls. Build a strong awareness of your body, keeping it in sync throughout the entirety of your throwing motion!

These are effective in preventing long swooping motions after catching the ball. This also serves as an accurate simulation of off-speed pitches and demonstrates how strong you need to be to redirect the ball from the downward angle!

Weighted ball transfers can be done with your bare hand or with a glove on!

One thing we must be mindful of is to not us a ball that is too heavy. Find weights that are manageable for you to keep proper form without being overpowered and forced to compensate, changing your form. Work your way up with the weight!

You can also mix in different weighted ball sizes to simulate faster or slower velocities of pitches!

02/22/2026

Place a ping pong ball in your palm, holding it with just your pinky and ring finger. This stimulates your pocket with the remaining three fingers and also increases difficulty.

Distance: 6 - 8ft

Method: Paddle or underhand

Reps: 6 - 10 a round

02/21/2026

Receiving is all about being calm, remaining still and having as little movement as physically possible. The primary goal is to catch everything by beating the ball to the spot and with as little movement after impact as possible. So once we catch it firmly and securely, we hold if for a split second in that exact location, allowing the umpire to make their call.

Not only is this beneficial for youth and amateur catchers to remember, but also for players just starting out in the position. Be still, be focused, catch the ball, and keep it from moving your glove anywhere after impact.

That’s the key: prevent any excessive movement, because when we’re still and focused is when we’ll be rewarded with the most success.

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