← Back to Drill Library

Pop-Up Footwork Drill

Catchers practice ripping off the mask, finding the ball, and tracking pop-ups behind home plate with proper footwork.

CatchingIntermediate8 min2+ players8U9U10U11U12U13U14U

Watch the Full Demonstration

How to Run This Drill
  1. 1
    Catcher in full gear in their crouch behind the plate.
  2. 2
    Coach tosses a ball high in the air behind or around home plate.
  3. 3
    Catcher rips off the mask, turns, finds the ball, and makes the catch.
  4. 4
    Key: turn your back to the field (face the backstop for balls behind you).
  5. 5
    8-10 reps mixing locations: behind, left, right, and in front.
Equipment Needed
  • Baseballs
  • Catcher's gear
Coaching Tips
  • ●Step 1: rip the mask off and toss it away from where you're going.
  • ●Step 2: turn so your back faces the infield — pop-ups drift toward the mound.
  • ●Catch the ball above your forehead with the glove open to the sky.