High school
Catching
All positions
Intermediate
Block or Receive Decision Drill (The Line Rule)
Catchers learn instant block-vs-receive decisions by imagining a trajectory line; includes recovery mechanics for speed.
- Equipment:
- Ball only
- Duration:
- About 10 min
- Setting:
- Indoor or outdoor
- Players:
- Partner
Coaching notes
Catching Made Simple teaching and practice drill that trains the 0.1-second decision using an imaginary trajectory line (above = receive, below = block) plus fast recovery methods.
Objectives
Speed decision-making, reduce in-between plays, accelerate recovery after blocks.
Coaching cues
Draw the line on trajectory; above = receive, below = block; think receive first; recover with feet, not hands, when possible.
Common errors
Guessing, going to a knee on air balls, slow recovery, blocking far and using hands.
Steps
- 1. Explain and visualize the trajectory line
- 2. Partner throws mix of dirt and air pitches
- 3. Catcher decides and executes block or receive
- 4. Practice close recovery with feet and spiked-pitch recovery
Source:
Catching Made Simple (Coach Bougie)
