How to Teach a Young Baseball Player to Catch a Baseball (WITHOUT BEING AFRAID/SCARED OF THE BALL!)

Baseball is a sport that requires a lot of skill and practice, especially when it comes to catching a ball. Catching is an essential part of the game, and teaching a young baseball player to catch can be a challenging task. In this blog post, we’ll explore the key points from the YouTube video “How to Teach a Young Baseball Player to Catch a Baseball (WITHOUT BEING AFRAID/SCARED OF THE BALL!)” by YouGoProBaseball (see video below) and offer additional tips to help you teach your young baseball player how to catch.

The first step in teaching a young baseball player to catch a baseball is to start with the fundamentals. This means teaching them the correct stance, hand positioning, and footwork. When standing to catch the ball, the player should have their feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, and their glove hand out in front of them. The glove should be open with the fingers pointing up, ready to receive the ball. It’s important to teach the player to keep their eye on the ball at all times, so they can react quickly and accurately.

Another important aspect of catching a baseball is to teach the player not to be afraid of the ball. Fear can be a common issue for young players, especially when it comes to catching. In the YouTube video, YouGoProBaseball emphasizes the importance of building trust and confidence in the player. One way to do this is by starting with soft tosses and gradually increasing the speed and difficulty of the throws. This allows the player to build their skills and confidence without feeling overwhelmed.

Another technique YouGoProBaseball recommends is practicing with a tennis ball. This helps the player learn to catch with their bare hand and can improve their hand-eye coordination. Once they become comfortable with catching the tennis ball, they can move on to catching a baseball.

In addition to these techniques, there are several other tips you can use to help teach a young baseball player to catch. For example, make sure they are using the correct glove size. The glove should fit snugly on their hand, but still allow them to move their fingers freely. This ensures they can catch the ball without dropping it or injuring their hand.

Another tip is to practice catching in different positions. For example, have the player practice catching ground balls, pop flies, and line drives. This helps them learn to adjust their body and glove position based on the trajectory of the ball. It’s also important to teach the player to use both hands when catching the ball. This gives them more control and can prevent the ball from bouncing out of their glove.

Finally, make sure to encourage the player and offer positive feedback. This helps build their confidence and makes the learning process more enjoyable. Even if they make mistakes, it’s important to focus on what they did well and offer suggestions for improvement.

In conclusion, teaching a young baseball player to catch a baseball requires patience, practice, and a focus on the fundamentals. By starting with soft tosses, building confidence, and using the correct glove size, you can help your young player develop the skills they need to be successful. With consistent practice and positive reinforcement, they’ll be catching like a pro in no time.

Check out our Baseball Training Gloves that some youth players actually prefer to wear as their game glove.