Next Level Catching Academy exists to train, educate, and build the next generation of catchers...with the addition of our online catching curriculum...coaches can now learn to coach catchers and maximize their catching staff.
Catchers play the most important defensive position on the field, yet are the most under-coached. That’s why we created a systematic training program to develop catchers because we believe catchers deserve access to high-level training - anytime, anywhere.
We train catchers at camps in Southern California and now across the country as we can share hours of pre-recorded instructional videos which are packaged in small digestible videos.
The following link will provide an in-depth look at each of our programs. nextlevelcatchingacademy.com/online-catching-curriculum/
This video does a good job of explaining a good secondary stance for those that prefer not to do knee down. Up to seeing this video, I could not find a good video that explains this.
Good blocking slide drill, but the first step should be at a slight angle forward to accommodate control of the ball toward the inside of the infield. Your approach will actually allow the ball to rebound up and outside the field of play, forcing the catcher farther away from the plate when trying to recover the ball for a play.
11 year old catchers need fundamentals repeatedly. All catchers are different due to their build, but as they get older and better, they share many of the same fundamentals. We have an online catching curriculum which can be a great tool, but he will still likely need a coach to ensure the movements are being trained to create fundamental habits as he gets to age 13. If the fundy's are consistent by 13-14, then layering some of the more advanced techniques will happen quicker and at the appropriate time pending his athleticism. Typically younger ages are easy with flexibility, but weaker (strength). At older ages, they are stronger, but at times lack flexibility. They are both equally important for catchers. Visit our website NextLevelCatchingAcademy.com to see if the online curriculum is something he may benefit from, but if you are nearby SoCal, come on out to train.
We have quite a bit more hip mobility, footwork, agility exercises on our MaxOne app remote training program. Visit NextLevelCatchingAcademy.com for more details
Thanks for the comment, Rick! That’s what we’re trying to do over here. We also created an app to help catchers remotely too. If you’re interested, take a look at nextlevelcatchingacademy.com
He has never been bulky or tense as a young 12-year-old, but as young catchers hit their teen years and put muscle on, they tend to stiffen up tighten up around the hip joint...that is, unless they work on their flexibility, which he does.
For those of you who have enjoyed learning and applying some of the concepts that we have posted here on RU-vid...We are setting up to launch our Remote Training Program in the month of August. We will include many of the concepts you have seen in our videos, but it will be filled with drills that have a specific theme and focus for catchers. Catchers will be able to train with a teammate, parent, sibling, in or out of the practice setting...the possibilities are many. We will cover mental aspects of catching, arm-care, flexibility, and strength as well as leadership aspects to develop. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-iYDIR2sNRBQ.html Please keep an eye on our website as we enter early August for information on how to subscribe and to join our community. We will have a separate landing page for this remote training opportunity and we are fired up to serve more catchers outside of our region here in southern California.
I like this video with the ropes. Credits to whomever brought on this instructor. Praises to him and his teaching demeanor for so chill is he. I hope he is used more often, but I see this one's from over two years ago, but I think this method is spot on. I'll present this idea I've never thought before as he and the teaching with ties reveals a lot if you think about it. I will be very helpful to even college guys(and gals) with this, thanks for the bundle.
Train from anywhere... Visit NextLevelCatchingAcademy.com for more details on how to train remotely with us on the MaxOne app. We have over 200 drills and exercises posted with video tutorial and leadership components built in.
Thanks for sharing this. People need to know about the lord because when he comes most people will not get eternal life with him. Some of those people are your dearest friends so thanks for spreading the word
i have been a catcher coach for 20 years in the minors leagues I like what you're saying here but most of the time more people have 50% for legs more than their arm strength If young catchers are more focused on receiving the ball for more then blocking both will be more important if you go for a 30% arm and 70% receive I also like what you say about the jab step knowing most of the time dirt is the backstop.
...and the jab step is just to help catcher stay loose on the lead leg so they don't just fall over or try and hop laterally. We try to teach to keep the eyes in a gradual decline approach as the shins slide as oppose to an abrupt change in eye level as it will be harder to track the bouncing ball.
The slow-mo camera, K-zone and analytics finally caught up. It is a much bigger component than the big-wigs realized. At the MLB level it has almost gone to the extreme where catchers don't prioritize the blocking or throwing skill as much due to being all about receiving and catching off a single-knee stance. Something that we see being shoved down the minds of young high school catchers, most of whom are not quite ready to do it with runners on base.
Run-down as in a pickle? Interesting. We've never had that request before. We are working on a large project to develop independent remote training on all skills and this one will be going on the list. It is more a team drill, but a very good one. Stay updated by visiting, following our website, and creating a Catcher Profile. NextLevelCatchingAcademy.com
Sorry, I did not realize it was public a couple days ago. Please forgive me if & when you can, NLA, next level academy baseball is enjoyed & utilized in appropriate purpose & long term mission to help older players such as I, some younger, some really young adults, I am knowing all families primarily with ages 19 thru 73 young men & women coordinating athletic supporters' meetings for advancement(s) in general education efforts, thank you, may should go with other group, but will not completely ABANDON Next Level baseball, it's just too good, for my privatized endeavors I suppose, have not configured thru, am a little miffed to tell you the truth, but am and will be fine, thanks once again for teaching me & my family for sure!!!
Teachings here are like reading a very good book; a fine catcher's view and experience and heart are absolute & essential with every baseball club & admired and respected in even the most unimagined yet experienced in plays of a lifetime. Besides, the greatest catcher's are often also the greatest & humble & cock-sure players, and these are lasting attributes for which anyone should strive. Thanks to good instruction and the revealing nature that only catcher's seem to show or have opportunity to reveal/teach/enlighten/exhort/exalt/promote/all club teams or schools/specialities/ball leagues or anyone who lives & loves with the Next Level Catcher's or association's for Parks & Recreation. I will continue to Catch more Next Level videos with earnestness & laughter with a big Spirit of Divine Power and an ever-expanding and never subdued love for all things baseball, especially all the diligent cacthers that tirelessly provide great shots and views for us all to enjoy & learn & watch & gawk. Whew!! Big Smiles! Getting exhausted just watching. Ready......Set.....Action !!!! Thanks from James Storey
Looking Good Coach! This is what I love about you and your team at NLCA, the coaches instruct and physically show the catchers proper technique. Well done!
One day...one day. Thanks for watching. We have a few other things coming. Hopefully we can get around to posting a bit of it. We do have a Monthly Module program, where we are sending in-depth instruction, one aspect at a time. It's not well marketed, but the content is outstanding and it's priced super low. Take a peak on our website. NextLevelCatchingAcademy.com
Hey Leon, We just created a new app, so our catching camps can come to you in your pocket! Check out: nextlevelcatchingacademy.com/train-remotely-to-raise-your-game/
We have quite a bit of hip mobility, footwork, agility exercises on our MaxOne app remote training program. Visit NextLevelCatchingAcademy.com for more details
It sucks last year I had a coach that works different drills and worked our asses off now my coach gets pissed when we mess up on something he didn’t tell us to do
There are a lot of options to call the location of pitches. I'm assuming the baseball level we are talking about is pre-college ball. Most good coaches and programs will have a system of taps, touches, verbals or number signs by the catcher to relay this. At the middle school ages it should probably be standardized since most pitchers haven't mastered pitching inside yet. For example, all pitches are some what standardized and targeted certain parts of the K-zone; (behind in count) mid of K-zone, ( even counts) bottom of K-zone, (ahead in the count) away K-zone relative to the hitter, low/away K-zone relative to the hitter, (0-2 maybe 1-2 count) extended off the plate, in the dirt and up or up and in...All of these would be predicated based on the count. If the coach or catcher wants to change the location in a programed count, a verbal can be used to adjust it. This is important for high levels where coaches pay attention to tendencies and in situational pitching. For example, you have an open base and a hot hitter is up and you prefer to pitch to the next hitter...expand early in the count and don't give him anything good to hit. Pitchers can also use swipes up or down cue to switch the side of the plate they would like to locate too. You can predetermine location based on counts and still call an audible when needed. At the advanced high school and middle college levels, this can still work, pitchers just have to execute location and be able to pitch inside with effectiveness to change the hitter's eyes and timing. Remember, hitters, are always at a disadvantage. You don't have to try and trick them a ton, just don't give your pitches and location away to the opposing coach or baserunners.
Currently, we are only doing one minicamp per week. We are located in So California. Check out our website for more info and email nextlevelca@ymail.com. We are releasing our monthly modules moving forward. Our first one here in May is free to all and is being sent to all who have a Catcher Profile with us. You can create one from our website, simply follow the menu bar.
