More Survival Tips for Parent Catchers
/Let's be real. The most successful pitchers have involved parents. This can be tricky, because that means you’ll have to put a high percentage of effort as well. That’s why I call it a partnership. It’s best if you both decide to take on the challenge together.
If you want to give her the opportunity to reach her full potential, you'll have to catch for her - a lot. Here are a few catching techniques to get you through the times when you don't quite feel like getting out there with her.
Photo 1. The Standing Crouch
This is the most common but least effective. It’s easy on the knees but bad on the back. It’s not quite a low enough target and it’s tough to catch grounders.
Photo 2. The Big Leagues
If you've kept in shape from your glory days this is the best way to go. Game-like, agile, fun for both of you. When your daughter becomes more accurate, getting in the catcher’s position puts her mentally in a game-like situation.
Photo 3. The Stander
At a beginner clinic, balls fly everywhere. Above the catcher, at another catcher, even backwards sometimes. Just stand up, give a big target, be in the ready position, and give your daughter some confidence by catching everything.
Photo 4. The Classic Bucket
I recommend this for experienced pitchers and parents. You can easily give a low target, it saves your knees (but not your shins), and you can store snacks inside. Yay! However, if your pitcher is very inaccurate you'll get a workout chasing balls. If that's the case, stick to #2.
Photo 5. Bonus Tip
Here’s a parent doing burpees with his daughter. I was surprised at the joy in this pitcher’s face when her parent did the game “consequence” with her. Enjoy it while you can!
The most important thing is to have fun together and build your relationship. The cliche is absolutely true: the more work you put in the more rewards you get out. And there is nothing more fun than whipping a fastball into a catchers glove!
My pitching coach and uncle, John Hanrahan
My Dad, Chris Hanrahan
