A catcher who can block balls in the dirt is the difference between a runner advancing and a runner staying put. The block is not a catch. It’s the catcher’s body stopping the ball and keeping it close. This is a 12-and-up skill because it requires gear and commitment.
What you need: Catcher’s gear (mask, chest protector, shin guards), 6 tennis balls, a glove.
Setup: Catcher in stance about 8 feet from where you stand. You bounce balls toward them in the dirt.
How to run it:
- Cue: Eyes, Hands, Squeeze, Pull. On a block, the whole body becomes the glove.
- Demonstrate the block: drop to both knees, glove drops to the dirt between the legs, chest angled forward and down so the ball doesn’t bounce up.
- Throw 5 slow bounces straight at them. They block, ball drops in front, they pick it up.
- Throw 5 to the glove side. They angle the body to keep the ball in front of the plate.
- Throw 5 to the throwing-hand side. Same angle work.
What to watch: Where the ball ends up after the block. If it bounces away 10 feet, the chest was not angled forward. If it stays within 3 feet of the catcher, the block is good.
If they’re struggling: Use tennis balls or rag balls only. The block is a confidence drill before it’s a skill drill.
If they’ve got it: Move to real baseballs and harder bounces. Add a runner on third who tries to score on a wild pitch.