Baseball Catcher Set Up
What is the correct way for a catcher set up? How does one stand, squat and get ready to do your job most efficiently? Let me be clear: all catchers should have their own style that works best for them. One should not be a clone. The same is true for hitters, pitchers and all of us generally. There are certain elements that should really be included, although they may look different from catcher to catcher. The base line? It's about just getting the task finished.
3 Basic Stances for a Baseball Catcher
1. Stance to give signs.
2. Stance to receive with nobody on base, and less than 2 strikes
3. Position to get with somebody on base and/or two strikes on the hitter.
The position to give signs for a catcher is to be up on his toes. His knees are close enough together closing off the first and third base coaches from being able to see the signs. The catcher's glove hand is placed on his left knee, or in front of his left knee for extra protection against the opposing coaches or players. The sign is then given with the right hand and is up against the cup. You don't want plenty of angle in the sign making it more complicated for the pitcher to see. Have your coaches stand in either coaching boxes to test the exposure of the signs.
The position with nobody on, and less then 2 strikes, is your most comfortable catcher stance. Here's where you hope to spend the majority of the game. Right hand is behind your back or behind the right leg concealed from the ball while the glove presents a large target to the pitcher. Your chest is square to the pitcher not offset or angled. And your feet are a little more then shoulder distance apart. Your right foot should be about 3" further back then the left, but not very much more than that. This may give the catcher an additional couple of inches to reach for the pitch down and away without hitting his knee. If you offset too much it make it tough to block pitches and receive pitches to glove side of the plate.
The lower the position, the better the target. Glove should be at the lowest part of the strike area. This position will be rather dictated by your body design. Remember, you have got the best seat in the house, while the umpire has the second best. If you don't lower the stance, the umpire is blocked out and the very last thing he is going to remember is where the ball was when it was a long way from the plate. The lower the position, the better calls the pitcher will get from the umpire.
The stance, with runners on base or with two strikes is comparable but the feet are a little wider and the catcher's rear end is higher in the air. From this position the catcher must be in a position to block a pitch in the dirt or toss away a base stealer. The right or bare hand is behind the glove. The hand should be closed around the thumb. It is like a loose fist with thumb tucked in.
Ultimately, how far back should the catcher be from the hitter? The straightforward answer is as close as you can be without getting hit by the batter. The final distance is dependent on the hitter. Some hitters have longer swings and some have longer backswings. In those cases you want to back up a bit more. Here's a point of reference I used. If set up in the middle of the plate, the catcher should almost be well placed to extend his glove hand and touch the batters back knee.
Remember, all of these recommendations are start points. As the leader on the field, the catcher must help adjust his teammates, as well as himself. Preparation for each pitch, with the correct set up, will help to make you a better catcher.
What is the correct way for a catcher set up? How does one stand, squat and get ready to do your job most efficiently? Let me be clear: all catchers should have their own style that works best for them. One should not be a clone. The same is true for hitters, pitchers and all of us generally. There are certain elements that should really be included, although they may look different from catcher to catcher. The base line? It's about just getting the task finished.
3 Basic Stances for a Baseball Catcher
1. Stance to give signs.
2. Stance to receive with nobody on base, and less than 2 strikes
3. Position to get with somebody on base and/or two strikes on the hitter.
The position to give signs for a catcher is to be up on his toes. His knees are close enough together closing off the first and third base coaches from being able to see the signs. The catcher's glove hand is placed on his left knee, or in front of his left knee for extra protection against the opposing coaches or players. The sign is then given with the right hand and is up against the cup. You don't want plenty of angle in the sign making it more complicated for the pitcher to see. Have your coaches stand in either coaching boxes to test the exposure of the signs.
The position with nobody on, and less then 2 strikes, is your most comfortable catcher stance. Here's where you hope to spend the majority of the game. Right hand is behind your back or behind the right leg concealed from the ball while the glove presents a large target to the pitcher. Your chest is square to the pitcher not offset or angled. And your feet are a little more then shoulder distance apart. Your right foot should be about 3" further back then the left, but not very much more than that. This may give the catcher an additional couple of inches to reach for the pitch down and away without hitting his knee. If you offset too much it make it tough to block pitches and receive pitches to glove side of the plate.
The lower the position, the better the target. Glove should be at the lowest part of the strike area. This position will be rather dictated by your body design. Remember, you have got the best seat in the house, while the umpire has the second best. If you don't lower the stance, the umpire is blocked out and the very last thing he is going to remember is where the ball was when it was a long way from the plate. The lower the position, the better calls the pitcher will get from the umpire.
The stance, with runners on base or with two strikes is comparable but the feet are a little wider and the catcher's rear end is higher in the air. From this position the catcher must be in a position to block a pitch in the dirt or toss away a base stealer. The right or bare hand is behind the glove. The hand should be closed around the thumb. It is like a loose fist with thumb tucked in.
Ultimately, how far back should the catcher be from the hitter? The straightforward answer is as close as you can be without getting hit by the batter. The final distance is dependent on the hitter. Some hitters have longer swings and some have longer backswings. In those cases you want to back up a bit more. Here's a point of reference I used. If set up in the middle of the plate, the catcher should almost be well placed to extend his glove hand and touch the batters back knee.
Remember, all of these recommendations are start points. As the leader on the field, the catcher must help adjust his teammates, as well as himself. Preparation for each pitch, with the correct set up, will help to make you a better catcher.
About the Author:
Evan Ledger is high school baseball coach who shows his team catcher signs and hitting drills. He has been a coach for 15 years.
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