Professional baseball players make catching the ball look easy, even if it's traveling at high speeds and curving away from them. As a coach, however, you know that it's not easy for beginners to learn how to catch the ball. Catching the ball becomes natural for a player only after he's practiced consistently for many months, perhaps years. A player needs to know the correct way to position his body and glove to catch the ball, depending on how it's coming in. A player needs regular practice so catching the ball becomes automatic.
Step 1
Demonstrate how to stand properly while awaiting the ball -- an athletic stance with your feet wider than your shoulders, your knees flexed slightly and your hands in front of your chest, facing toward the incoming ball. Have the player practice assuming this position multiple times.
Step 2
Tell the player that she should catch the ball in the glove with her fingers pointed upward if it comes in above her waist, and then cover the ball with her throwing hand to ensure that it doesn't fall out. Have the player toss the ball to you several times to demonstrate this technique, then give the player 10 repetitions, tossing the ball underhanded from 5 yards away.
Step 3
Teach the player to turn his hands over and catch the ball in the glove with his fingers pointed downward if it comes in below his waist. Demonstrate this technique multiple times, then let the player practice at least 10 times.
Step 4
Have the player bend her knees and catch the ball with her fingers pointed upward -- like the ball is coming in above her waist -- if it comes in at waist height. Give her 10 practice repetitions.
Step 5
Toss the ball to the player 10 more times, mixing up the locations so he has to react appropriately. Gradually back up, eventually throwing the ball overhanded, to make the drill more challenging.
Step 6
Teach the player how to catch a ball that comes in on either side of her body. Tell her to shuffle her feet to get in front of the incoming ball, if possible. If she can't get in front of the ball, teach her to catch it with the glove in a forehand position if it comes in on the glove-side of her body and a backhand position if it comes in on the throwing-arm-side of her body. Give her multiple repetitions.
Tips and Warnings
- Use a spongy baseball or a tennis ball for beginners until they demonstrate proficiency at catching the ball. Let the player practice at his own pace. Repeat the same step every day for several days or weeks, if necessary, until the player achieves mastery. Provide consistent encouragement and constructive criticism to help the learning process.
References
- "The Baseball Coaching Bible"; Jerry Kindall and John Winkin; 2000
- "The Baseball Drill Book"; Bob Bennett; 2004
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