Coach Candrea and Tairia Flowers work with SportSkool to teach the proper softball catching mechanics. They show the mechanics required for a proper stance, glove work and framing, throwing, fielding bunts, and receiving throws.
Key Points:
Field General: The catcher is the field general since they are the only player on the field that is facing the whole field and provide pitching and fielding signs.
Stance: Start in a athletic position with your lead throwing foot slightly in front of the other and your feet just outside of the hips to maintain good balance and stay relaxed.
Glove Work / Framing: A the pitch approaches the batter, the catcher should subtly shift toward the pitch location and the glove "gets around" the ball. In order to not tip-off the pitch location with the subtle shift, start lined up in the middle and as the pitcher enters their motion then the catcher can move a little toward the pitch location being careful not to block the umpires view. Also, keep the throwing hand behind the leg to protect the fingers from being clipped by a foul tip.
Throwing: Throwing efficiency is improved by 1) keeping a short are circle (see throwing mechanics), 2) quick footwork. The three types of foot work are: 1) replace the feet when the ball is on the glove side - the back throwing foot replaces the other foot and the lead foot steps directly toward the throwing location, 2) right 45 when the ball is on the glove side - the back foot steps out to center the ball and the lead foot steps directly toward the throwing location. The key to remember is that the hips and shoulders need to be square to the target, and 3) loading when the ball is thrown over the plate (this requires a strong arm) - the weight is loaded onto the back foot without a step and the front foot steps directly toward the throwing location. No matter which footwork is used, the catcher must follow through to make a strong an accurate throw.
Fielding Bunts: Two techniques are use are used to field bunts: 1) on a ball in the middle or down the right side - first step is forward through the plate to get around the ball, then scoop the ball with two hands, square the hips and shoulders, and then throw the ball and follow through, 2) on a ball down the third base line - move directly toward the ball, plant your back throwing foot near the ball with your back toward first, scoop the ball, spin around, and then throw the ball and follow through.
Receiving Throws: When a ball is being thrown home, square up to the throw and watch the ball into the glove. On throws from center or left field, point your foot up the third baseline so that a sliding runner will push your leg straight back as oppose to bending from the side. After catching the ball, drop down with the right knee to block the plate and make the tag. After making the catch, secure the ball with both hands to keep it from being knocked loose (see receiving the throw).
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