the knee down stance is fine for players above 15 with athletic ability. for young catchers, the knee down stance creates bad habits that are much harder to change later. i strongly encourage all players to wait to use the knee down stance until they have a comfortable understanding of the position. MOST young catchers develop laziness from this stance and use the knee as an anchor. I have coached many catchers, they all have the same issue with this stance. Its a great stance for low pitch receiving and framing/blocking away (away from the down knee). but anything to the knee side will have young players locked into position, creating very HIGH passed ball and dropped 3rd strike ratios. Once the pitchers get better and the catchers become more athletic and knowledgeable, this stance is very valuable.
As a 9u catcher that’s playing in 10u and let’s say some 11 year olds I’m the best catcher in the league of every team but I can’t block but im learning and I get everything that your saying I have been playing catcher for 3 years sense I was 6 or 7 I love it now
One feel i teach my hs guys is let the glove lead. If you feel your glove having to move down into the dirt to receive then flip and let knees follow into the block.
I could be wrong, but I always remember following the "waist rule" where if I saw it was going below my waist I would block. I'm sure there's a better methodology someone else has out there, though.
Love the content my youth just decided they wanted to focus on catching. Using your videos to help them along.
the knee down stance is fine for players above 15 with athletic ability. for young catchers, the knee down stance creates bad habits that are much harder to change later. i strongly encourage all players to wait to use the knee down stance until they have a comfortable understanding of the position. MOST young catchers develop laziness from this stance and use the knee as an anchor. I have coached many catchers, they all have the same issue with this stance. Its a great stance for low pitch receiving and framing/blocking away (away from the down knee). but anything to the knee side will have young players locked into position, creating very HIGH passed ball and dropped 3rd strike ratios. Once the pitchers get better and the catchers become more athletic and knowledgeable, this stance is very valuable.
As a 9u catcher that’s playing in 10u and let’s say some 11 year olds I’m the best catcher in the league of every team but I can’t block but im learning and I get everything that your saying I have been playing catcher for 3 years sense I was 6 or 7 I love it now
Invaluable info man, thank you!
You bet!
Bougie is awesome! Third comment batters out!
Do you have any tips or drills that helped you recognize when to block?
One feel i teach my hs guys is let the glove lead. If you feel your glove having to move down into the dirt to receive then flip and let knees follow into the block.
I could be wrong, but I always remember following the "waist rule" where if I saw it was going below my waist I would block. I'm sure there's a better methodology someone else has out there, though.
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