• Work on cushioning the ball in a soft yet firm manner.
• Work on watching the ball all the way into the hand.
• To Learn how to "frame" a pitch.

• Catcher's Gear
• 10-12 baseballs, wiffles, sponge and/or tennis balls 

• Coach or partner will begin at 4-5 feet away and progress to at least 50 feet.
• Coach tosses ball into simulated strike zone while catcher is in proper squatting position.

• Player should try and catch baseballs softly with only their glove hand.
• Arm should be extended with a slight flex at the elbow upon reception (you never want to be "locked out" or catch the ball too close to block out the umpire).
• Emphasis should be on holding the ball where it has entered the stike zone (framing should involve subtle movements or none at all).
• Never try and frame obvious balls.
• If possible, coach should try and throw pitches in all areas of the strike zone to give the drill a game like feel (you can even include off-speed pitches).
• Instead of moving the ball into the strike-zone after it has been caught, try holding it where it was pitched making slight body adjustments to simulate catching the ball in front of you.
• Catchers should always try and stay "on top of the ball."
• If ball is well out of the strike zone, don't just try and reach out, move your entire body towards the ball. This will minimize balls off the end of your glove and always keep the ball in your plane of vision.
• Different types of balls can be used. Spongy or tennis balls will make reception more difficult as it is more likely for the ball to bounce out of the catcher's hand if concentration levels are not high.
• Incorporate blocking and or throwing into receiving drills on a verbal cue