1. 1.)  The block is broken into two phases. The first is the "drop" followed by the "blow and curl". In the drop phase, the catchers shin guards must drop flat on the ground with the shins against the dirt. The catchers weight must be back and not on his kneecaps. The shoulders are kept square to the ball. The eyes are fixed, tracking the ball from where it hit the ground to the point it hits the catcher in the chest. Both hands must drop to the ground and touch the dirt with the knuckles and the palms facing up and in the direction from which the ball is coming. This phase must be mastered before moving on.

   The blow and curl phase follows. As the ball hits the catchers chest, air is blown out and the shoulders curl around the baseball. The chin tucks in to the chest. Blowing air out of the lungs makes the chest give with the contact of the ball, thereby softening the impact. The chest cushions the ball like a pillow, allowing the ball to drop closer to the catcher rather than bouncing away. Sometimes if the catcher says the word "pooh", it assists them in getting used to blowing air out as the ball hits.

    

2. 2.)  As soon as the catcher drops, blows, and feels the impact of the ball they must "pop" back up into the catchers position. To get up the catcher can either push themselves up with their arms and hands or pop up with their feet under them in one motion. In either case, it is imperative that the catcher work on quickness. Quickness is the secret to catching, with both hands and feet.

    

3. 3.)  During the "fetch" phase, catchers must learn to use the "stop and scoop" technique when picking up the ball. As the catcher quickly approaches a blocked ball, they place their glove on the ground in front of the ball. The glove should have the pocket facing the catcher, this allows them to scoop the ball into the glove with the bare hand by digging under the ball. The glove becomes the stopper and the bare hand the scooper. This reduces the chance of fumbling or dropping the ball as might occur if just using a bare hand. As soon as the catcher has the ball he should come right into the throwing position.

This is the most debated count...Should I take a pitch and get my timing down or should I be aggressive in this count?

I am a die-hard believer in being aggressive in this count. If I was doing my job studying the pitcher in the dugout and in the on deck circle what is there left to time? I know that the pitcher wants to get ahead in the count and I know there is a good chance this will be the best pitch I see the entire at-bat. I treat 0-0 counts exactly as if the count were 2-0. If it isn't a fastball that I can drive, I take it. Still 2 strikes left. You want more proof....? The batting average for MLB players that put the first pitch they see in play is .343. That is a lot of years, a lot of pitches, and a lot of proof.

How about this, "my coach gave me the take sign." That's easy...take the pitch. You are there to hit and he is there to coach. All of us have specific roles that when combined equal team success.

You are looking specific pitch in specific location. I like to visualize a ball on tee at my favorite location. If that isn't the pitch I see, I take it. The hitter is in control here. 3-1 count, no one on base...don't even get out of the batters box. Pitchers hate that,... and then they fail. You either get walked or he grooves you a fastball that you pound.

0-1 and 1-1

The best way that I have found to approach these 2 counts and come out successful is to have a mindset of taking the pitch hard the other way. These are "nibble" counts for pitchers, nothing fat, just nibbling the outside part of the plate. Expect it and drive it.

All 2 strike counts

This is when things get personal. In college when we would work on 2 strike hitting drills they were called "war drills". To me that is a great description of 2 strike counts, you are in a war. I like to first re-emphasize to myself that vision is the key here. I am going to see the pitch from the pitchers hand all the way in. Look to make contact here, so cut down on your swing. When you have 2 strikes you protect the width of 2 baseballs off the outside black. 2 strikes = 2 baseballs. DO NOT LET THE UMPIRE CONTROL YOUR DESTINY WITH 2 STRIKES.

Remember:  "Hitting is controlled fury."