Catching Drill: Bite the Ball (Baseball & Softball)
Catching drill emphasizing chin position during blocking, using tennis balls to teach proper head placement and body angle.
How to Run This Drill
- Catcher in full gear in catching position (home plate optional)
- Coach/partner with tennis balls 10 feet in front of the catcher
- Coach/partner tells the catcher to drop and block, then bounces a tennis ball into the catcher
- Catcher keeps their chest over the ball and their glove covering the gap between their knees, trying to block the ball making sure to keep their chin down on their chest
- Catcher places each ball off to the side and gets back in catching position to block the next pitch
Coaching Points
- Coach commands "drop and block"
- Catcher drops to block position
- Chin tucked down to chest - "bite the ball"
- Tennis ball bounces into chest protector
- Chest over the ball creates proper angle
- Chin down prevents ball from going past
Quick Actions
At a Glance
Categories
Catching
Focus Areas
Blocking
Age Groups
11-1213-1415-1617-1818+9-10
Players
1-5 players
Difficulty
beginner
Equipment Needed
- Catcher’s gear and gloves
- tennis-balls
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