Free Catching Tips from Tom Griffin

Free Catching Tips
from Tom Griffin

BULLPEN CATCHING:

Catching pens for catchers needs to be looked at as a learning and practice experience. Catchers should not dread catching bullpens. Your team's success can depend upon the relationship the pitchers and catchers develop in the bullpen.

Here are some guidelines for catchers and coaches:

1. Do not wear out a catcher, by having him catch all your pitchers at one time. Rotate catchers or have breaks between when pitchers throw their pens. Coaches need to use common sense for this.

2. Use signals that you will use in games to relay pitches. This includes signs with a runner at 2B. Most pens are scripted, but it helps in
practicing giving signs and working with pitchers in game like conditions.

3. Catchers should work on receiving stances with no one on and a man on. When a pitcher is in the stretch, we set up like their is a man on base. If a pitcher works completely out of the stretch, we will alternate stances every 3 pitches.

4. When catchers are in their 'man on' stance, work on footwork and hands for steals. Simulate runners are stealing 2B or 3B. Work on pickoffs to 1B. Get into throwing position, with proper footwork and glove-hand transfer.

5. Develop a postive relationship with the pitcher that is throwing. Let them know when they are throwing well and hitting their spots. Be vocal and encouraging. At the end of the pitchers pen, go down and shake their hand and let them know how well they did or in the case of a poor pen, encourage them and pick them up.

6. If a ball is in the dirt, use proper blocking techniques and recover quickly.

7. Work on pitchouts. At the end of the pitchers pen, have them throw a pitchout to each side for practice for both of you. You can also work on 2
or 3 intentional walks, if you have to in games.

8. Work on receiving all the pitches properly with good form.

9. Work on your throws back to the pitcher. All throws should be chest high. Throws should be made standing and from the knees.

10. We have a rule that when a pitcher steps on the mound, the catcher will be down in his stance. I believe it is poor practice for a pitcher to be on the mound throwing to a catcher standing up. It is a poor spot throwing up
to start out. The pitcher can throw all he wants getting loose on the mound, but he needs to have a visual that is consistent to game conditions.


Free Catching Tips from Tom Griffin BULLPEN CATCHING: Catching pens for catchers needs to be looked at as a learning and practice experience. Catchers should not dread catching bullpens. Your team's success can depend upon the relationship the pitchers and catchers develop in the bullpen. Here are some guidelines for catchers and coaches: 1. Do not wear out a catcher, by having him catch all your pitchers at one time. Rotate catchers or have breaks between when pitchers throw their pens. Coaches need to use common sense for this. 2. Use signals that you will use in games to relay pitches. This includes signs with a runner at 2B. Most pens are scripted, but it helps in practicing giving signs and working with pitchers in game like conditions. 3. Catchers should work on receiving stances with no one on and a man on. When a pitcher is in the stretch, we set up like their is a man on base. If a pitcher works completely out of the stretch, we will alternate stances every 3 pitches. 4. When catchers are in their 'man on' stance, work on footwork and hands for steals. Simulate runners are stealing 2B or 3B. Work on pickoffs to 1B. Get into throwing position, with proper footwork and glove-hand transfer. 5. Develop a postive relationship with the pitcher that is throwing. Let them know when they are throwing well and hitting their spots. Be vocal and encouraging. At the end of the pitchers pen, go down and shake their hand and let them know how well they did or in the case of a poor pen, encourage them and pick them up. 6. If a ball is in the dirt, use proper blocking techniques and recover quickly. 7. Work on pitchouts. At the end of the pitchers pen, have them throw a pitchout to each side for practice for both of you. You can also work on 2 or 3 intentional walks, if you have to in games. 8. Work on receiving all the pitches properly with good form. 9. Work on your throws back to the pitcher. All throws should be chest high. Throws should be made standing and from the knees. 10. We have a rule that when a pitcher steps on the mound, the catcher will be down in his stance. I believe it is poor practice for a pitcher to be on the mound throwing to a catcher standing up. It is a poor spot throwing up to start out. The pitcher can throw all he wants getting loose on the mound, but he needs to have a visual that is consistent to game conditions.
Close this window