Todd Coburn -The Catching Guy

One of the arguments we hear all the time about knee down set ups is it makes the catcher slower to get up.

That may be true for some younger catchers who are still developing their strength and explosiveness but for those older more experienced and elite catchers the concept is this… Put yourself in the best position to get a strike call while still being able to perform any other responsibilities that arise, like catching low pop ups.

Safe to say is elite! What. A. Catch! 💪

with the smooth, quick and what I call “clean” back pick. Watch the slo-mo carefully… THIS is how you throw!

A few keys:

1. The footwork. The right foot comes close to replacing the left foot.
2. The mitt arm working together with the throwing arm getting the front side closed.
3. The short and efficient arm action straight to throwing position keeping the ball above and inside the elbow.

I discuss my love of back picks at every camp. Put “camp” in the comments to see where I’ll be over the summer.

Here is two and a half minutes of pre-game routine (Reno Aces - AAA Diamondbacks).

He had a very extensive routine that included some unique drills. Some of what he did includes:

1. Barehand weighted ball rolls (random locations w/ hand slide)
2. Tennis ball barehand shortstop receiving.
3. Low weighted ball receiving (multi angle)
4. Two knee vertical mitt flips.
5. Live machine receiving (RT knee down & LT knee down).
6. Two knee staggered exchanges (mitt run only & mitt turn to exchange)
7. Exchange & footwork (to 2nd, 3rd and 1st)
8. Two knee mitt flip blocks
9. RT knee down machine blocks (modified kickstand and traditional knee down)
10. Knee down “read reacts” (catcher starts with head down, coach adjusts machine and then catcher blocks, receives or performs exchange and footwork of coach calls runner)

Every pregame routine is unique to each catcher. Include what gets YOU ready to perform at your best!

Around a .63 release and 1.83 pop time for to throw out one of the fastest runners on the planet! 🔥💪

Notice how all of his movements flow together. There are no pauses or hesitations in any part of the throw. When a coach says “be fluid like water,” this is what they mean!

We discuss this concept at all of my camps. Put “CAMP” in the comments and I’ll show you where I’m going to be next.

Padres rookie Rodolfo Duran is averaging nearly 90 mph on his throws this season AND a .62 release. That arm strength and quickness has him averaging a 1.88 pop time!💪🔥

Watch the slo-mo carefully:

1. Notice his pre-catch shift (starting to move before the ball contacts his mitt)
2. How quickly he gets his right foot in the ground while still clearing some space away from the left handed batter.
3. He exchanges the ball from his mitt to his hand at the midline of his body.
4. His throwing hand/arm takes a direct line to throwing position.
5. He gets the “hammer on his gun cocked” (gets his throwing arm elbow back - retracts the scap) and shoulders closed.
6. Finishes the throw with some forward flexion at the waist to help create back spin and carry on his throw.

It’s a beautiful thing!

Always fun to watch this no-look pick by !

It’s impressive and funny all at the same time! 😳🤣

One word… Efficient! Watch how quickly he gets his right foot in the ground.

And three more words… Fun. To. Watch! 💪

We’re almost out of space in Seattle, WA and Carson City/Minden, NV and St Louis, MO are filling up fast.

Put “Super Camp” in the comments and I’ll get you what you need to grab a spot!

Anyone else REALLY enjoy watching throw?

One of the things we discuss at every camp is the adjustments we make with our footwork depending on where the batter is standing.

Watch the slo-mo clips closely to see the difference between when there is a righty up vs a lefty. You need to either maintain some space away from a righty or create some space away from a lefty by utilizing the correct footwork. Fun. To. Watch! 🔥

Would you like me to help teach your catcher the difference? Put “camps” in the comments and I’ll get you what you need.

Here is a portion of pregame routine…

1. Weighted ball flips
2. Machine pitch short hop paddles
3. Machine pitch flips
4. High pitch “dunks”
5. Two knee exchanges
6. Exchange & footwork (to 2nd, 3rd & 1st)
7. Picks and blocks

I say it all the time… you do you and do what gets YOU ready for the game.

By the way, I’m about a month out from my next camp in Simi Valley, CA. Put “Simi” in the comments and I’ll get you what you need!