It is important that we take pride in being a good partner and throwing out catcher GOOD balls to block. Similar to hitting, it is extremely difficult and hard to get better if our BP thrower doesn't throw many strikes. The hitter gets frustrated and can't seem to repeat because there is no rhythm. The same holds true for blocking drills. If we throw our catcher bad balls to block (ex. not where they're supposed to be, some in the air, etc.) he can't create rhythm and get in a habit of doing things correctly. It is very important that we throw the ball very close to where we want to! In all of our drills we can have the catcher retrieve the ball if we wish.

Chapter 1 - Blocking Straight Ahead
(Rounds of 10)

The most basic of our blocking drills, we are on a knee and throwing the balls in the dirt and down the middle of the plate every time. The goal is for the catcher to block at game speed, even though the pitch isn't coming that fast. We want to create good habits of always moving as quickly as we can! Also, we want to block the ball very close to home plate so that it is easy to retrieve if runners are on base.

Chapter 2 - Blocking Glove Side
(Rounds of 10)

Here the coach/partner has created an angle by moving toward the first base side of the field. We are now trying to bounce the ball to the outside of his outside knee (this would be his left knee when we are working to the glove side). This does two things: it makes the catcher drive with his off-side (right) leg to get out to the ball, and the angle helps the catcher get around the ball to block it back toward the plate. It basically exaggerates the catcher having to get outside and around the ball.

Chapter 3 - Blocking Arm Side
(Rounds of 10)

This drill is the exact same as the previous, however, now the coach/partner is on the third base side of the field.

Chapter 4 - Half and Half
(Rounds of 10)

All of the drills to this point are very good, but they don't work on the most important part of blocking...the reaction! Now, the catcher doesn't know if we are going to throw the ball in the air or the dirt and he must react to where the ball is thrown. About half the balls should be thrown in the air, and the other half should be thrown in the dirt, hence the name "Half and Half." It is important that this is not a guessing game. When catchers guess, they will drop to their knees and receive a pitch in the air or try to catch the ball after it bounces. It is important to reiterate the point that there should be NO GUESSING! The entire point of this drill is to quicken their reaction! With younger catchers it is usually better to throw a regular 4 seam fastball. The older guys can have breaking balls thrown to them to make the drill more difficult.

Chapter 5 - Hockey Goalie Drill
(Rounds of 5)

In this drill the coach/partner will throw balls rapid fire to the catcher and he must keep them out of the "goal" (we use two fence posts for our goal). Balls should be thrown in the dirt and in the air. This is to help the catchers understand that there is essentially no difference between a pass ball or a wild pitch. It may go down different in the scorebook, but the runner still advances no matter whose "fault" it is. For a catcher to have success at this drill it is important that after he blocks a ball, he must get back up quickly into his secondary position. It will be hard for the catcher to have success if he blocks the ball and stays on his knees or doesn't get up quickly.