12U AAA Catcher Development Plan

Setup

Catcher's gear, plate or chalked spot.

Player instructions

1. Get in primary stance: feet shoulder-width, knees soft, target hand relaxed at the inseam.
2. Move to secondary stance: butt up, weight forward, target hand presented.
3. Move to runners-on stance: low and athletic, ready to block.

Coaching cues

Common mistakes

• Locked knees
• Glove flat on the ground

Reps

20 sec each, 2 sets through

Setup

Pitcher / coach throws strikes from 30–45 ft, mixing locations.

Player instructions

1. Set up in primary stance.
2. Receive each pitch where it crosses the zone.
3. Freeze for 1 sec on the catch — quiet glove, no flinch.
4. 20 receives across the zone.

Coaching cues

Common mistakes

• Pulling pitches into the zone
• Stabbing high pitches up

Reps

20 receives across all four quadrants

Setup

Catcher in gear. Coach with bucket of balls 30 ft away. Tarp or grass for sliding.

Player instructions

1. Drop to knees on contact. Body angled in front of ball.
2. Chin tucks. Eyes track the ball into your chest protector.
3. Smother — both hands cup the ball in front.
4. 10 reps total.

Coaching cues

Common mistakes

• Eyes closing on impact
• Reaching with the glove

Reps

10 blocks, mixed direction

Setup

Catcher behind plate. Player at second base bag (or coach with stopwatch). 5 balls.

Player instructions

1. Receive the pitch.
2. Quick transfer — no stop in the glove.
3. Set front foot, throw on a line to second.
4. 5 reps. Aim for clean over fast first.

Coaching cues

Common mistakes

• Stop in the glove
• Throwing flat-footed

Reps

5 throws to 2nd

Setup

Whiteboard or notepad. Optional: pull up GameChanger from a recent game.

Player instructions

1. Pick a real or simulated inning.
2. Talk through pitch selection vs. each hitter — what you'd call and why.

Coaching cues

Common mistakes

• Defaulting to fastballs
• No plan vs. weak hitters

Reps

4 min review