Excellent Softball Conditioning Drills for Softball Catchers - By: Marc-Olivier Dagenais

In playing softball, if you are positioned by your coach to be the softball catcher of the team, then you must always be in good physical condition. This is because the nature of softball catching is physically demanding position. So softball catchers should therefore warm-up themselves physically and mentally through some forms of softball conditioning exercises before going in the field. Below are some softball conditioning drills that are designed for all softball catchers to carry out and help them become more fitting to their designated position.

Blocking Balls Conditioning Drill

The purpose of this softball conditioning drill is to enhance blocking low pitches or balls in the dirt. This drill largely improves the catching skill of a softball catcher while it has a good conditioning component for catchers as well. This is performed by pair. One will occupy the position of a catcher and the other is a pitcher. The distance of the two should be around 20 feet facing each other. As the pitcher starts by tossing a ball in the dirt straight to the catcher, the catcher will receive the pitch. Both knees of the catcher should be dropped as her glove drops, palms up, openly between her legs. Simultaneously, the chin of the catcher should be dropped at her chest and round the shoulders in order to create an enclosure. The catcher must have to make sure that the ball stays in her front. About two sets of 5 or 10 balls should be blocked by each catcher practicing the conditioning drill.

Catcher Agility Conditioning Drill

This softball conditioning drill is designed to develop and improve the agility and the ability of the catcher to catch foul balls. This is done with the catcher lying flat on her stomach. The exercise starts with a partner tossing simulated foul balls behind the catcher, saying “ball” as the ball is pitched. In order to catch the ball, the catcher should move quickly.

Random-Ball Conditioning Drill

The main objective of this softball conditioning is to make throws to bases while improving conditioning. This is performed with six to eight balls placed randomly in front of home. While in a squat posture, the catcher will then explode and throw balls to a receiver at the base and will hurry up to go back into her catching position. The process continues until no balls left. Then go over the drill but with the catcher throwing to a different base this time.

Quick Feet Conditioning Drill

As the title implies, the purpose of this softball conditioning drill is to improve quickness of the softball catcher. This is carried out with a pitcher throwing a ball from a distance of about 20 feet. She will then start by pitching the ball inside or outside to a catcher in receiving position. The hips of the catcher are up to perk up her quickness for throwing out the runner. The catcher will quickly move her feet after catching the ball and position herself in a throwing stance with both arms up, and then cease in that position to confirm for proper alignment.

About the Author

Marc Dagenais, MHK, CSCS, is a softball peak performance coach that helps players and teams hit with more power and be more dominant on the softball field. To get tons of great FREE softball drills to boost your game, visit us at: http://www.softballperformance.com/softball-drills

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