Title
This drill teaches catchers to block balls effectively to their right side from a low-knee-down (LKD) stance.
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: Right-side low-knee-down blocking technique for preventing passed balls and containing pitches in the dirt.
Builds toward Effectively blocking pitches in the dirt to the right, preventing advanced base runners from advancing, and maintaining control of the game.
What it is
A catcher sets up in a low-knee-down stance with a home plate in front. A coach tosses balls to the catcher's right side, and the catcher practices blocking them, focusing on pulling with their right leg and leading with the mitt.
What it practices
Trains proper body positioning, mitt leadership, and leg drive for blocking pitches in the dirt to the right side from an LKD stance, ensuring ball containment.
Focuses on improving
Addresses deficiencies in blocking pitches outside the body, specifically to the right, ensuring balls are kept in front and close to the body after impact.
How to run it
3 sets of 5-8 blocks per side.Setup
- 1Place a home plate on the ground.
- 2The catcher takes a low-knee-down (LKD) stance, with their right knee down slightly behind and to the right of home plate, and their left foot up.
- 3The coach stands approximately 10-15 feet in front of the catcher, with a bucket of baseballs.
- 4Place two cones to the catcher's right, creating a boundary for the blocked ball to stay within.
Run the drill
- 1The coach tosses a baseball towards the catcher's right side, aiming for it to hit the ground in front of the plate.
- 2The catcher pulls their right knee forward and across their body while leading with their mitt to cover the ball.
- 3The catcher's chest and body should get in front of the ball, securing it directly in front.
- 4The catcher recovers to their original LKD stance after the block.
Coaching cues
- Pull with the right knee.
- Lead with the mitt.
- Stay in front.
- Keep the ball close.
Common mistakes
- Not leading with the mitt, allowing the ball to get past the glove side.
- Turning the body away, causing the ball to deflect instead of absorb.
- Not pulling the right leg sufficiently, leaving a gap between the leg and body.
- Letting the ball bounce too far away after the block.
Progressions
- Increase pitching velocity.
- Throw from a longer distance.
- Add a recovery to a throwing position after the block.
Coach notes
transcript
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