Xan Barksdale of catching-101.com breaks down how to teach catching (in the catcher position) for youth baseball coaches and parents. Just like I split my pitching interview with Travis Kerber into two episodes, I've also split this catching interview with Xan into two episodes also. This episode will be Part 1, and next week will be Part 2. Let me know in the Comments section below whether you prefer these shorter episodes (around 30 min) or the longer episodes (around one hour).
In this 39-minute episode, you'll learn:
- what a major league tryout is like
- what's wrong with the term "framing"
- why be a catcher when the position is so physically demanding
- whether catching presents a better opportunity to make it to the big leagues
- what age a kid is recommended to consider specializing at catcher
- how much politics is involved in the minor leagues with an undrafted catcher
- whether to teach catchers to put their arm behind their back when receiving pitches
- how to teach the position to 9-12 year olds
- what the key physical mechanics of catching
- the difference stances involved
- the priority of aspects to teach 9-12 year-old catchers, and what to emphasize in practices
- whether it's worthwhile to practice throws to second when passed balls & wild pitches are common
- whether it's a waste to have a strong catcher if wild pitches are common in your league
- Does managers' former playing position correlate with managerial success?
- Xan's YouTube Channel
- catching-101.com
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