BALANCE

Using the LONG rockers and positioning the BASEBALLANCE sideways, allowing movement from dugout to dugout, the catcher squats into his stance and maintains balance to ensure enhanced athleticism behind the plate (left to right). This activity can be expanded with the use of the purple rockers, being certain that forward and back balance is maintained and established.

This act can be further expounded upon by having the catcher receive pitches, give signs and move “in and out” (SHORT rockers) while focusing on maintaining balance.

FOOTWORK

FOOTWORK for THROWING: Using the LONG rockers and again positioning the BASEBALLANCE for dugout to dugout rocking action, the catcher (from his squat position) works to move from a balanced position focusing on quick, efficient footwork allowing him to throw to second base. The act of popping his feet to a straddle position emphasizes this fundamental skill. When the act is completed, the catcher should be straddling the board.

A more advanced activity begins the same but has the catcher pop both feet off the front of the board, emphasizing the fundamental skill of gaining ground toward the bag, into his throw. From the balanced position, the catcher works on getting his hand and glove up to proper position near the throwing side ear while moving off and out in front of the BASEBALLANCE with his right foot landing first. As it lands, it should be parallel to the front of the platform provoking shoulder rotation. The left foot should land out in front of the back foot with the glove side shoulder pointing at the target. When the front foot lands, the catcher should be delivering the ball to his target.

BLOCKING

BLOCKING: Using the LONG rockers, the catcher uses the BASEBALLANCE turned long ways behind home plate in a manner that allows the long sides of the BASEBALLANCE to be parallel with the outer edges of the “corners” of the plate. The catcher positions himself on the back quarter of the BASEBALLANCE, where he should be sitting balanced with no front to back movement. The catcher drops to his knees with his glove in the hole between his legs. The movement of the BASEBALLANCE downward toward the front forces the catcher to understand and feel the chest and head out, for proper blocking technique. With the forward rock, the catcher has no choice but to be in proper blocking position. (This activity could also be performed sideways on the BASEBALLANCE, with the short rockers in place for less aggressive rocking and forward movement).