CATCHING TRAINING
Catching
Catching Philosophy: Leadership. Pride. Growth Mindset.
Our catching instruction is guided by a comprehensive development plan built in collaboration with Jeff Smith, Catching Coordinator for the Tampa Bay Rays and guest instructor at our facility. We train catchers of all levels with an emphasis on mastering the fundamentals while cultivating a strong sense of leadership behind the plate.
Receiving:
The Foundation of Catching Everything begins with a strong receiving foundation. We help catchers find a consistently low, balanced stance that gives pitchers a clear target and allows for smooth, confident reception of both balls and strikes. Once that foundation is established, we introduce framing as a high-level skill to help catchers steal strikes and support their pitchers.
Blocking:
Effort, Agility, and Determination Blocking is about more than mechanics-it’s about mindset. We teach proper technique through repetition and resilience, building catchers who take pride in keeping the ball in front and controlling the game.
Throwing:
Transfer, Footwork, Accuracy While pop times get the headlines, we focus first on the process: clean transfers, efficient footwork, and precise throws. Mastery of these fundamentals leads not only to throwing runners out, but to consistently better pop-times in due course.
Catching Training Options
Private Lessons
This 60‑minute one‑on‑one catching session is built around your needs,receiving, blocking, footwork into throws, pop‑time work, and game‑calling. You’ll get personalized drills, guided reps, simulated competition, and real‑time video review to tighten mechanics and see real progress.
4‑on‑1 Catching
Clinics
Our small‑group catching clinics cap at four players per coach. Expect focused feedback, game‑speed drills, and plenty of reps: receiving and presentation, block‑to‑recovery, transfer/throw‑downs, bunt, and plate coverage.
Yearly Memberships
Memberships give catchers year‑round development with consistent coaching, small‑group sessions, and member perks. Options for middle school and high school players who want steady, long‑term growth. Train with Joe Espinosa or Jake Berry and follow a plan that adapts to your season.
Online Catching Training
Train one‑on‑one from anywhere. Live video sessions and detailed breakdowns of receiving, transfer mechanics, footwork, and throw accuracy. You’ll get slow‑motion feedback, clear checkpoints, and a weekly drill plan to keep improving between games.
Catching Training FAQs
What ages do you work with for catchers?
We coach youth, middle-school, and high-school catchers. Drills, workloads, and goals are scaled to experience so catcher training stays safe and productive.
Do you teach one-knee setups?
Yes, when it fits the athlete. We cover primary, secondary, and one-knee stances, focusing on receiving quality, blocking range, and throw readiness for each count and situation.
Can you help me lower my pop time?
Yes. We target footwork efficiency, exchange speed, and a repeatable arm path, then time every round so your catcher training turns into real gains in-game.
Will this improve my blocking confidence?
Yes. We train angle choices, forward energy, and recoveries with live reads so you track the ball first and make the next play, no flinch, no panic.
Do you work on framing or just “receiving”?
We emphasize quality receiving, quiet presentation, and clean pocketing that earns strikes without dragging the ball. It’s practical “steal strikes without getting exposed” work.
Can you help with game-calling and working with pitchers?
Yes. We cover signs, simple sequencing, mound visits, and “calm the inning” communication so you can lead without overthinking.
What should I bring to catcher training?
Mask/helmet, chest protector, leg guards, catcher’s mitt, clean turf shoes or sneakers, water, and any recent game clips. We’ll use video to set your baseline and track improvements.