The catching position mechanics and fundamentals are not well known or understood by those who have not had experience in the position. It is not a position that coaches pay a large amount of attention to when in practices, yet in a game if something goes wrong it is undoubtedly the catchers fault! Many people do not realize that the position is quite different in regards to mechanics in softball versus baseball. I know of a large amount of catchers who will go to instruction with baseball coaches that offer different philosophies than softball instructors. In this post we will uncover 3 misunderstood aspects of mechanics with catching in softball.

1- FRAMING - Before you get all defensive about this one, let me explain. In baseball the release point of the pitcher is out of the strike zone (by the shoulder) and the ball will travel into the strike one by the time it hits the catcher’s mitt for most pitches. In softball, the release point of the pitcher is in the strike zone (at the hip). The ball will be traveling from in the strike zone somewhere out of the strike zone. In softball, the more time that the ball has to travel, the more likely it is to be further out of the strike zone. For this reason, you will see many softball catchers reaching out and extending their arms to receive certain pitches. That is much different than what you might see in baseball, and rightfully so! Not all pitches are caught with a straight arm in softball, but many of them are because the pitch will continue to look like a ball the further it travels. By catching most pitches out in front of us we give ourselves the best chance of it looking like a strike.

2- THE SQUAT - Often times, catchers are taught to be in a higher catching position when a runner is on base. If you ever try this position out yourself, you will see that it is extremely uncomfortable and not athletic. Good luck being agile to pitches from that half squat. As a girl, our hips are wider and we are more athletic from a deeper squat. By sinking into a wide squat as a catcher, we are better able to be in an athletic position and use our legs more in our movements for power. Being deeper in the squat we are better able to get under a low pitch to make it look like a strike. We have such a great ability to influence a game if we just take our position a little lower. Oh and if you have trouble getting lower, try increasing your flexibility over time…It may help to take out the knees savers too! :)

3- THE THROW- There are so many catchers that when throwing from their feet to second base take an extra step or replant with their throwing foot before their throw. I often times see baseball catchers do this, especially. This actually adds time to the throw if you continue to incorporate the replant or extra step. Instead, try turning into that back foot and gathering your weight inside your throwing foot as you turn. This will help to eliminate that extra step and allow you to get the same amount of power going towards the base you’re throwing to. I understand if there are players that are not strong enough to make the throw to second and need to take the extra step, but if there is an advanced catcher, she should work to eliminate that step. By doing so, she can start to cheat her turn as the ball is coming to her which will make for a faster release and deflection into her throwing hand and will allow for a better pop time. Do your pop time a favor. Eliminate the back step. It gives your pop time so much more potential.