Catching a Softball Checklist

Power of Coaching Softball, softball coaching

Softball skills can be very complicated. For new athletes who are learning skills there can be so much information that it all gets overwhelming. I put this catching a softball checklist together which has been great for breaking the skills down into smaller and easier to implement chunks of information for new softball players.

I would print them off and laminate them and then have the players actually evaluate each on their skills. I would not do it very often but a few times so that they can are see what I was teaching them. Sometimes to teach a skill is a great way to learn one as well.

Catching a Softball Checklist

Preparation

_____ your eyes are on the thrower and the ball

_____ hips and shoulders are facing the thrower

_____ your feet are in a comfortable position with your glove foot slightly in front of the other

_____ your weight is even on both feet

_____ your glove and throwing hand are slightly out in front of your body with the fingers up

_____ give a big target at the chest

_____ when the ball is above the waist, thumbs are pointed up

_____ when the ball is below the waist, pinkies are pointed down

Execution

_____ watch the ball into the glove

_____ let the ball come to your glove without reaching for it

_____ cushion the ball (allow your glove to move in with it)

_____ catch the ball in the glove and take the ball with the throwing hand and get ready to throw or close the glove with your throwing hand

_____ begin to move your weight to the back foot and turn the glove side shoulder to the throwing target

_____ eyes are on the ball

Follow Through

_____ your weight is on your back foot

_____ the glove side is turned to the target

_____ your glove side elbow is pointed at the target

_____ you are ready to throw if you need to or to hang on to the ball