Quick Catch Competition is an execution drill to finish the throwing segment.  It helps to train throwing accuracy, baseball athleticism (hands working with the feet), and brings performance under pressure into play.  Encourage athletes to move at “one click below full speed.”  Learn to play and compete at an intensity which is one step below all-out-max (“controlled aggression”).

EXECUTION – Much of Dugout Captain’s practice planning involves pairing catch play with some sort of throwing “drill” or progression series.  Meaning, we start with Throwing Progression and then continue into Long Toss.  Or, begin with Structured Catch Play… and finish with Long Toss Competition.  Quick Catch Competition is one of those execution drills to finish throwing with.

• Bring Back to 40 ft – After catch play or long toss, bring lines back in to a realistic distance for athlete age and skill level.
• Compete – Athletes compete to comple the number of clean throws in 30 seconds. 
• Coaches Judge – With three coaches, each has four athletes – or two pairs to manage.

DC KEYS

1. Catch Ball First – Hands before feet.  Coaching verbal of “stay behind the ball”… keeps the feet from getting in front of the hands, dragging the arm, and making inaccurate throws
2. Move to the Baseball – Encourage athletes to catch the ball in front of their chest by moving their feet.
3. “Reset” the Feet – Get back to the receiver position after each throw, athletic / knees-bent posture.
4. Call Out Score – Athletes should yell their running tally so there is no “funny business.”

EQUIPMENT LIST