Baseball Catching Drills For 8 Year Olds
As a coach or parent of an 8-year-old baseball player, it's important to teach them the fundamentals of catching. Catching is a crucial position in baseball, and it's important to start teaching these skills at a young age. In this article, we will discuss some baseball catching drills that are perfect for 8-year-olds.
The Importance of Catching Drills
Catching drills are important because they help players develop the skills they need to be successful catchers. These skills include hand-eye coordination, footwork, blocking, throwing accuracy, and more. Catching drills also help players build confidence in their abilities and prepare them for game situations.
Drill #1: Soft Toss
Soft toss is a great drill to start with because it helps players develop hand-eye coordination and focus. To do this drill, the coach or parent should stand about 10 feet away from the player and toss the ball underhand. The player should focus on catching the ball with two hands and keeping their eyes on the ball at all times.
Drill #2: Knee Drill
The knee drill is a great way to teach players how to block balls in the dirt. To do this drill, the player should start on their knees with their glove hand on the ground and their other hand behind their back. The coach or parent should then roll or bounce the ball towards the player, and the player should use their glove hand to block the ball and keep it in front of them.
Drill #3: Pop-Up Drill
The pop-up drill is a great way to teach players how to catch pop-ups or fly balls. To do this drill, the coach or parent should hit or throw a pop-up to the player, and the player should focus on catching the ball with two hands and keeping their eyes on the ball at all times.
Drill #4: Throwing Accuracy Drill
Throwing accuracy is crucial for catchers, and this drill can help players develop this skill. To do this drill, the coach or parent should place a target (such as a bucket or cone) about 10-15 feet away from the player. The player should then focus on throwing the ball to the target with accuracy.
Conclusion
These baseball catching drills are a great way to teach 8-year-olds the fundamentals of catching. Remember to start with simple drills and gradually increase the difficulty as the player progresses. With practice and repetition, your young catcher will develop the skills they need to be successful on the field.