Catch Better: Drills & Tips for Beginner Baseball Catchers

Are you having a hard time catching pitches cleanly? Or do you feel nervous about getting hit by the ball? You're not alone.

The catcher is the only player facing the field during the game. It's a tough but key position—one that supports the pitcher and leads the defense. But if you're unsure how to catch properly, or if the ball feels too fast or unpredictable, it's time to go back to the basics.

By tweaking your catching stance, working on your glove handling, and focusing on the basics, you can build confidence and start catching better in no time.

Skills You Need to Catch Like a Pro

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If you want to catch better, start by working on these five key areas:

・Solid catching stance
・Proper glove movement (also called "framing")
・Hand strength and timing
・Flexibility and mobility
・Faster reaction and reading pitches

Each of these plays a big role in how well you catch. In the sections below, we'll break them down and show you what to focus on.

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Points and Techniques for Improving Catching Skills

To catch better, you need more than just quick hands. A good catcher reads the ball's path early and moves their body to the right spot—before the pitch arrives.

You want to scoop the ball from underneath, not just stick your glove out and hope it lands there. To do that, you need the right stance and glove movement.

What's the Right Catching Stance?

Start with a stable, balanced position. Keep your weight centered over your hips, and lean your pelvis forward like your tailbone is pointing up. This helps lower your body and gives you a strong base.

Stay light on your toes and ready to move. A steady stance not only helps you catch better—it gives your pitcher confidence, too.

Key Catching Tip: Don't Let the Mitt Drift

One of your biggest jobs as a catcher is helping your pitcher get strikes. Even if the pitch is just outside the zone, a strong catch can make the difference between a strike and a ball.

To do that, you need to stop your mitt from drifting or getting pushed out of the zone. Move your body ahead of the pitch and catch it from underneath, lifting slightly as you receive it. That keeps the glove steady and brings borderline pitches back into the strike zone.

Effective Drills to Improve Catching Skills

To become a better catcher, you need more than just theory. Here are some drills to help you improve your catching skills and build confidence.

Drill 1: Improve Your Stance

Drill 1: Improve Your Stance

Start with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. Lower your hips, but keep your pelvis tilted forward (like your tailbone is pointing up), so your body leans slightly forward. Focus on keeping your weight on your toes and staying balanced.

Once you’ve found the right stance, practice shifting your hips from side to side, keeping your body facing forward. Avoid letting your body twist inward—it’s easier, but you’ll get more out of the drill if you keep your body square and move with control. This will help improve your stability and flexibility.

Drill 2: Scoop and Catch

Drill 2: Scoop and Catch

In the stance from Drill 1, place your thumbs on the ground, and imagine a ball being tossed softly to you from the front. With your thumbs pointing down, practice scooping the ball from underneath, using your glove to guide it into a secure catch.

As you catch, visualize guiding the ball between your thumb and index finger. This will help you develop a better catching position when you’re using your mitt, and you’ll get used to receiving the ball in a reliable, natural position.

Drill 3: Handle Different Pitch Weights

Drill 3: Handle Different Pitch Weights

After you’ve mastered the basic posture and glove movements from the first two drills, step it up by catching weighted sandballs in different variations. The goal here is to catch with the same technique, no matter the ball’s weight.

By training with different weights, you’ll learn to adjust your strength and timing, so you’re ready to handle whatever pitches your pitcher throws at you. Consistency with these drills will help you develop the power and control needed to catch different types of pitches with ease.

Building Strength for Better Catching

Along with the drills we've covered, we've got a few training tools that can really help you level up your catching skills. And keep an eye out for a new product coming soon: the Handheld Fielding Net, designed to make your defensive practice even more effective.

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Framing Bar

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The Framing Bar is a training tool designed specifically for catchers, helping them improve their skills to approach the ball and guiding the mitt smoothly toward the strike zone.

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The Framing Bar is a simple yet powerful training tool made just for catchers. It helps you improve your glove work by giving you the feel for guiding the mitt into the strike zone smoothly. It's especially useful for practicing low pitches and sharpening your framing technique.

This tool is about 48cm long, lightweight, and easy to use. With the Framing Bar, you'll get the hang of positioning your mitt faster and more precisely, which means you'll be able to handle more pitches and improve your game performance.

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Catcher Chair

$169.00
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The Catcher Chair is a training tool that allows catchers to practice their stance, helping them improve hip flexibility and stability at home.

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The Catcher Chair is perfect for practicing your stance and improving your balance—even when you're at home. This tool helps you work on your hip movements and posture so you can confidently get into the right position.

When you use the Catcher Chair, you'll not only look the part behind the plate, but you'll also improve your blocking and throwing skills. It's a great way to refine your technique and be ready for anything on the field.

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