How to develop a fastpitch softball catcher

Selena Collins

Teach the proper catching position. It's OK for the catcher to sit down on their "knee savers" while warming up the pitcher, but she must get up into the proper defensive position while catching game pitches. The left foot should be slightly ahead of the right foot, allowing the catcher to get into throwing position more quickly.

Teach the "soft hands" catching technique. The catcher cannot stab at the ball. She must receive it. A good drill: Have the catcher assume her game position, but without her glove. From a short distance, pitch tennis balls for her to catch with her bare hand.

Work on proper blocking techniques. To catch balls in the dirt, the catcher must drop down to her knees, chest protector slightly forward, glove between the legs to close the "five-hole." Catchers need to work on this technique regularly. Start by deliberately pitching balls in the dirt toward the catcher. For more advanced catcher, aim a pitching machine to one-hop pitches over the plate.

Work on proper sliding techniques. The catcher will need to move left or right to stay in front of low pitches thrown too far inside or outside. Moving to the ball is critical; reaching for or backhanding the ball won't get it done at the highest level.

Work on the ball-hand exchange for throwing. The quickest exchange involves keeping the throwing hand behind the glove, balled into a fist to protect the fingers. This technique requires the catcher to move her first in concert with the glove. The catcher catches the ball, turns the glove right, grabs the ball and pulls it back into throwing position. Catchers uncomfortable can keep throwing hand behind her back in a fist. Then, in running situations, she will catch the ball, bring the glove up to her ear while turning the glove right. At the same time, the catch is bringing her throwing hand up to meet the ball.

Develop the proper throwing motion. The throwing arm is cocked in an "L" shape behind the head. The hand gripping the ball is pointed straight back to ensure maximum snap. The ball is thrown with a full, downward follow through.

Long throwing is the best way to build arm strength. The key is consistency -- four times a week for 10 or 15 minutes. Remember to properly stretch and loosen up (soft tossing, short distances) before gradually increasing the distance. The catcher should always practice her ball/hand exchange and her proper throwing motion while playing catch.

Quick and proper footwork adds a lot of oomph! to throws. The catcher must pop up, get her feet set and throw. Different catching instructors teach different techniques, but there are two keys: Getting the ball out quickly and using the legs and core to generate power. We have provided links to good instructional videos.

Catching foul pop-ups is another key catching skill. She needs to remove her mask, locate the ball, discard the mask away from the ball and then catch the ball with her back to the infield, if possible. This can be practiced with the help one of the slingshot training devices on the market.