Relaxed Receiving

• Catcher in full gear, no glove, in catching position (home plate optional)
• Coach/partner with tennis balls 10 feet in front of the catcher
• Catcher makes subtle, pre-pitch movement to loosen the glove hand
• Coach/partner throws the ball softly down the middle of the plate
• Catcher focuses on catching the ball softly and quietly, staying behind the ball with the hand
• Repeat sequence with the catcher’s glove on and the coach/partner throwing hard baseballs from closer to mound’s distance
• Catcher may also sit on a stool or bucket to take the stance out of play and allow focus to be placed on what the hand is doing to catch the ball