Title
Three-stage blocking progression: wall drill, no-glove body blocking, then glove-on blocking to teach catchers dirt-ball absorption and positioning.
Compilation
If this video stacks several distinct drills back-to-back, split it into individual, draggable drills — each with its own clip, steps, and tags.
Coach's take
Great for building: Core blocking mechanics including proper chest-forward posture, glove-between-legs positioning, and keeping the ball in front of the body on dirt pitches.
Builds toward Confidently blocking pitches in the dirt, preventing wild pitches from advancing runners, and controlling the running game by keeping balls close.
What it is
The drill consists of three progressive stages: (1) Wall Drill — catcher blocks against a wall to learn body positioning. (2) No-Glove Blocking — catcher blocks balls in the dirt with bare hands and body only, forcing reliance on frame and chest absorption. (3) Glove Blocking — catcher adds the glove after establishing proper blocking footwork and body mechanics. Each stage builds on the previous to isolate and then combine the technical elements.
What it practices
Builds dirt-ball blocking footwork, knee-drop timing, and chest/body positioning. Trains catcher to absorb short-hop and low-bounce pitches with proper frame rather than reaching with glove alone.
Focuses on improving
Targets catchers who reach with their glove on dirt balls or fail to position their body in front of the ball. Develops the foundational blocking mechanics required to prevent passed balls and wild pitches in game situations.
How to run it
10-15 blocks per drill, rotating through the progression.Setup
- 1Catcher puts on full protective gear (mask, chest protector, shin guards).
- 2For the Wall Drill: Catcher sets up 1-2 feet in front of a fence or wall in a catcher's stance. Coach stands behind the catcher with a bucket of baseballs.
- 3For No Glove Blocking: Catcher sets up in a regular catcher's stance on a dirt playing surface (e.g., in front of home plate). Coach stands 10-15 feet in front of the catcher, with a bucket of baseballs.
- 4For Add Glove: Catcher sets up in a regular catcher's stance on a dirt playing surface, wearing their glove. Coach stands 10-15 feet in front of the catcher, with a bucket of baseballs.
Run the drill
- 1Wall Drill: Coach drops or tosses balls directly at the wall behind the catcher. Catcher reacts to block the ball with their body, pushing forward to cover the hole between their legs.
- 2No Glove Blocking: Coach throws pitches into the dirt directly in front of the catcher. Catcher quickly drops to their knees, pushing forward with their chest and bringing their glove hand between their legs to block the ball with their body, without using the glove.
- 3Add Glove: Coach throws pitches into the dirt directly in front of the catcher. Catcher quickly drops to their knees, pushing forward with their chest, and uses their glove to cover the hole between their legs, securing the ball.
Coaching cues
- Eyes on the ball!
- Drop and smother!
- Present your chest!
- Glove down, between the legs!
- Keep the ball in front!
- Active feet!
Common mistakes
- Not dropping low enough, allowing the ball to bounce over.
- Not pushing the chest forward, leaving a gap between the legs.
- Opening the glove hand too wide or not placing it between the legs.
- Turning the head away from the ball.
- Letting the ball get past or deflect too far away.
Progressions
- Start with softer tosses, then increase velocity.
- Introduce lateral blocking by throwing balls to the catcher's left and right.
- Add a runner on base to simulate game pressure.
- Follow blocks with a throw to a base.
Coach notes
transcript
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