Catching is one of the toughest jobs in baseball. It’s part skill, part toughness, and a whole lot of leadership. Great catchers don’t just block balls and throw runners out—they control the game, earn strikes, and bring energy every pitch. But becoming that kind of player takes more than gear and grit.
To help young catchers level up, the Youth Inc. team rounded up some of the best tips from around the web. Here are seven great resources to help you elevate your game behind the plate.
Progression Series for Catchers To Clean Up Their Transfers
What it is: This TikTok from @optimalpowerperformance shows a quick and powerful drill to help catchers improve their footwork and clean up transitions on throws to second base.
Why we like it: It’s short, sharp, and super effective. The drill focuses on the exact movement catchers need to shave time off their pop without overcomplicating things.
Different Catching Drills You Can Work on With Youngsters
What it is: In this TikTok, @coachcam_abd breaks down a simple drill that helps catchers stay low, balanced, and explosive out of their crouch, which is essential for faster, more efficient throws.
Why we like it: It’s practical and easy to replicate. Coach Cam gives young catchers a clear visual of how to move with purpose behind the plate while keeping their base strong and their throws quick.
Who Needs a Glove for These Catching Drills
What it is: This TikTok from @eastondiamondsports features a smooth footwork drill designed to improve catcher transitions and boost pop time without sacrificing accuracy.
Why we like it: It’s crisp and game ready. The drill keeps things simple but sharp, which is perfect for catchers looking to get faster out of the crouch and throw with more confidence.
Watch Yadier Molina Work Through Some Catching Drills
What it is: This TikTok from @elshow.us spotlights elite framing technique, showing how subtle movements can help catchers steal more strikes and win over umpires.
What we like: It’s a masterclass in the little things. The video breaks down the art of receiving with soft hands and quiet frames- skills that can make a catcher a pitcher’s best friend.
The Best Catcher Blocking Drills
What it is: This video from Catching IQ breaks down the "Tweener Drill"—a blocking drill designed to help catchers handle those tough, in-between balls that aren’t right down the middle or fully to the side. It emphasizes real-game movement over textbook form and focuses on keeping the ball close.
Why we like it: It’s game-realistic. Instead of chasing picture-perfect blocks, the drill teaches catchers how to adapt on the fly and control the ball in imperfect situations.
Top 5 Blocking Drills for Catchers
What it is: This video from Catching Made Simple runs through five favorite blocking drills—from lateral slides to twist-and-block and rapid-fire reps—that help catchers improve movement, reaction, and confidence behind the plate.
Why we like it: It’s fun, fast, and full of variety. The drills hit all the key areas—mobility, reaction time, and form—making it easy for catchers to build game-ready instincts and turn passed balls into easy stops.
Creating Good Habits for Catchers
What it is: This TikTok from @moystylebaseball breaks down how to improve a catcher’s transfer and throwing mechanics, using a simple setup to create quicker, cleaner exchanges.
Why we like it: It’s short and super practical. The drill focuses on making every millisecond count, which is perfect for catchers looking to tighten up their throws and shave time off their pop.
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