Softball catcher drills
Blocking practice for catchers with a wall and a bucket of tennis balls.
How coaches assign drills- 4 drills
- 1 with no partner needed
- Every drill has a video clip
- 5–15 minutes each
4 softball catcher drills
Catching1:09Tennis Ball Wall Blocking
FixesReaching with the glove on balls in the dirt
- 5 min
- Ages 8–18
25 blocks, 2–3 days a week
Catching1:10Soft Hands Receiving with Tennis Balls
FixesStabbing at pitches and a glove that drifts out of the zone
- With a partner
- 10 min
- Ages 9–18
4 rounds of 10, 3 days a week
Catching1:12Catcher Throw-Down Footwork
FixesA long first step and slow throws to second
- With a partner
- 15 min
- Ages 10–18
10 shadow reps and 10 throws, 2 days a week
Catching1:11Catcher Pop-Up Drill
FixesLosing pop-ups behind the plate and tripping over the mask
- With a partner
- 10 min
- Ages 9–18
3 rounds of 5, 2 days a week
How to use these softball catcher drills
What these softball catcher drills work on
Blocking comes first. It keeps runners from moving up on pitches in the dirt.
- Drop to the knees and get the body in front of the ball.
- Keep the ball within about three feet so the runner stays put.
Blocking at home with a wall
Most catcher blocking drills need a coach throwing balls in the dirt. The tennis ball wall blocking drill needs only a wall and a bucket of tennis balls.
- Squat 6 to 10 feet from the wall.
- Throw a ball low so it bounces in the dirt on the way back.
- Drop both knees with the mitt between them, and round the shoulders so the ball hits the chest and drops.
- Tennis balls sting less, so younger catchers can take a lot of reps without flinching. Wear catcher's gear if you have it.
How often
- Twenty-five blocks is a full session, and two or three sessions a week is enough.
- Blocking is hard on the knees, so use a soft surface like grass and stop at about 30.
- Catchers throw a lot too, so the throwing drills and the band arm care routine are worth adding.
Softball catcher drills FAQ
How can a softball catcher practice blocking at home?
Squat 6–10 feet from a wall and throw tennis balls low so they bounce in the dirt on the way back. Drop both knees, put the mitt between them, round your shoulders and let the ball hit your chest. Aim to keep each block within about 3 feet.
How many blocking reps should a catcher do?
About 25 blocks, two or three times a week. Blocking is hard on the knees, so work on a soft surface and stop at about 30.
What ages can do catcher blocking drills?
The wall blocking drill fits catchers from about 8 to 18. Tennis balls make it safe for younger catchers who are still learning not to flinch.
More softball drills by skill
- Softball hitting drills9 drills
Tee and front toss work for a short, level swing that drives the ball. Most of these need a tee, a net and a bucket of balls.
- Softball fielding drills7 drills
Ground balls off a wall, short hops, quick transfers and fly ball footwork. A glove, a wall and a few tennis balls cover most of it.
- Softball throwing drills4 drills
Arm path and release work that fits in a living room or backyard.
- Softball pitching drills3 drills
Windmill mechanics and strike throwing into a net or to a parent catcher.
- Softball speed and arm care drills3 drills
First-step starts, home-to-first sprints and a band routine to warm up the arm before throwing.
Assign softball drills to your team
Use the drills in this library or make your own. Coaches assign them as homework between practices, and players open each drill on their phone, do it and check in when they finish.
Get the Bravara app- 01
Pick drills or make your own
Start from the softball drills in this library, copy one and change it, or write your own with steps, a YouTube video, your own photos and videos or a link to read. Then assign it to the whole team or to certain players and set how many days a week.
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Players do them at home
Players open the drill on their phone, watch the video or read the steps, do the drill and check in when they finish. They can upload a video of their work too.
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Players log a result
A drill can have one result to track, like strikes out of 30. Results stay private to the player and their family, and players earn XP and levels as they keep checking in.
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The coach sees who did it
Coaches see who has checked in on each drill and can react or reply to a player's check-in.
Assign softball catcher drills with Bravara Reps
Coaches assign drills to the team or to certain players. Players check in from home, log a result and earn XP as they go.
