Ready to shave time off your pop time? This video, featuring Coach Madden from YouGoProBaseball.com and Kyle Schmidt, a professional catcher, dives into transfer and throwing drills designed to boost consistency and speed for catchers. These drills are perfect for catchers striving to dominate behind the plate.
Transfer and Throwing Drills for Catchers
Schmidt elaborates on previous drills, focusing on refining technique for optimal performance.
Key Drills and Tips:
-
Mini Wiffle Ball Transfers: Start on your knees, focusing on catching the ball in the pocket of your glove and transferring it quickly. This drill emphasizes precision over speed.
-
Baseball Transfers on Knees: Using regular baseballs, react to throws and work on achieving a four-seam grip for better carry.
-
Direct Path Drill: Focus on a direct path from the glove to the ear, avoiding unnecessary movements to quicken the transfer.
-
Flamingo Drill: Practice weight shifting and footwork, ensuring proper alignment and momentum toward your target.
Schmidt emphasizes the importance of footwork, agility, and a quick transfer in achieving a faster pop time. He suggests incorporating drills like dot hops, line hops, ladder drills, and jump rope to improve overall agility and foot speed.
Also discussed is the mental aspect of catching, emphasizing a competitive mindset and strategic thinking when throwing to second base. Aim to throw the ball to the right side of the bag, allowing the middle infielder to make a quick tag.
Finish strong with resistance band exercises to build explosive power from the crouch position.
For more tips on improving your baseball skills, visit BaseballSkillsHub.com.