Catching Drill: Bare-Handed Catch (Baseball & Softball)
A tracking drill for young catchers. A partner underhands the ball from about five feet and the catcher catches it bare-handed, watching it all the way in.

How to Run This Drill
- Partner stands about five feet in front of the catcher
- Partner underhands the ball to the catcher
- Catcher catches it bare-handed, tracking the ball all the way into the hand
- For a check on tracking, mark each side of the ball with a colored dot
- After each catch, the catcher calls out the color of the dot they saw
Coaching Points
- Young catchers often look away before the ball arrives and catch it in the wrong spot
- Calling the dot color proves the catcher actually watched the ball
- Receiving mechanics come later; they only work if the catcher watches the ball all the way
Quick Actions
At a Glance
Equipment Needed
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