Catchers Fitness & Warm up
Being physically prepared to play the game is important, but having functional strength drills specific to the rigors of catching separate Catch & Throw from the rest
Do you have any questions regarding catching? Click here to get an answer from our experts.
Physical conditioning to a catcher is just as important as skill training. Because you are only as strong as your weakest link,
a catcher must be physically lined up from feet to fingertips simply because of all of the complex movements that performed when receiving,
blocking, and throwing. Coming from a crouched position and having to come up to perform many of the activities as a catcher,
one must be able to perform movements with speed, power, explosiveness, agility, quick reactions, and endurance.
The amount
of stress caused by wearing gear in warm weather, squatting and moving from that position, bumps and bruises, and the fact that a
catcher throws more than anyone else on the field makes it critically important to take care of one's body.
Catch and Throw
Tips:
Proper Hydration – Hydration with Water is needed to keep up the body both mentally and physically. Athletes should drink
water equivalent to half of their body weight in ounces daily to stay properly hydrated. Catchers should drink more!
Proper Daily
Warm up and Loosen up – Functional warm ups and a proper loosen up along with the Catcher warm up (below) will prepare the body for
action on a daily basis.
Arm Care – Cord and light dumbbell work to build strength.
Daily Recovery - To be a successful catcher, your
body must recover from day to day. Extra work must be done daily to ensure that the body will be ready for the game or practice tomorrow and
that preventable injuries do not occur. Cardiovascular work, both aerobic and anaerobic, needs to be done to keep the legs in
shape. Metabolic management with food, supplements, and vitamins see's that the body has the nutrients needed
to stay healthy.
Functional Strength - Functional body work and weight training, along with quickness and agility work, will help
prepare a catcher to have success on the field. Functional work encompasses all of the movements and positions that a catcher
will be in, not just linear explosive training that many strength training programs offer.