POP TIME STARTS WHEN

Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch

Your FREE Account is waiting to the Best Softball Community on the Web.

radness

Possibilities & Opportunities!
Dec 13, 2019
7,270
113
To encourage working on throwing, i'm bringing up pop times again ;)

THE CATCHERS POP TIME
STARTS the moment the pitched softball~
1. Touches the catchers glove.
Or
2. The moment it hits the catchers body or equiptment.

The clock STOPS when catchers throw reaches the intended defensive receiver.
*Not when it bounces in front of the defensive reciever.

*To be more specific!
If the catcher drops to their knees. And pitched softball hits them. Either there glove or body, the clock starts at that moment.
*It does NOT matter if the pitch is considered a wild pitch or not.
*It does not matter if the pitch bounced up into the catchers chest protector.
*It does not matter if the catcher has to jump.
*It does not matter if the catcher has to move to the sides.

Once the ball touches the catcher at all...glove or body,
The POP TIME begins!

POP TIMES ARE A DEFFENSIVE PLAY~
The requirement, expectation, goal is the catcher has the ability to stop runners from advancing.
There can also be the goal of back picks.

*Whatever mechanics the catcher uses is included in the pop time!
This means if the catcher choses to block the pitch letting the softball hit them...
The clock starts at that moment of contact.
While the softball is bouncing off them and rolling on the ground...that time is included in the catchers pop time.
*To be clear on this point~
* (after blocking) NO the clock does NOT start when the catcher picks the ball up off the ground. Clock starts at contact.

LETS THROW RUNNERS OUT
 
Last edited:

radness

Possibilities & Opportunities!
Dec 13, 2019
7,270
113
Post was inspired by three different coaches who contacted me in the past few weeks regarding the development of the catcher's on their teams. They each had in common
the catchers could frame,
the catchers could block,
however struggle at throwing runners out. Coaches commented did not appear there had been much attention to throwing. These are 12 & 13 year olds.

* :) SOOOO i'm bringing attention to
POP-TIMES
to encourage more focus on
CATCHERS THROWING RUNNERS OUT!!!

The green light is on!
Go for it! (y)
 
Last edited:
Jun 6, 2016
2,714
113
Chicago
Post was inspired by three different coaches who contacted me in the past few weeks regarding the development of the catcher's on their teams. They each had in common
the catchers could frame,
the catchers could block,
however struggle at throwing runners out. Coaches commented did not appear there had been much attention to throwing. These are 12 & 13 year olds.

I'd argue that their previous coaches have properly developed these catchers. Receiving (framing) and blocking are more important than throwing, and since you can't necessarily teach every single skill at one time, good on their coaches for teaching them the more important stuff first.

Not saying the throwing isn't important, but for a lot of people, it's the only thing they look at with catchers.
 

radness

Possibilities & Opportunities!
Dec 13, 2019
7,270
113
I'd argue that their previous coaches have properly developed these catchers. Receiving (framing) and blocking are more important than throwing, and since you can't necessarily teach every single skill at one time, good on their coaches for teaching them the more important stuff first.

Not saying the throwing isn't important, but for a lot of people, it's the only thing they look at with catchers.
All the more reason i bring up
how important POP TIMES are!!!
 

radness

Possibilities & Opportunities!
Dec 13, 2019
7,270
113
Will also add
There are some instructors & coaches who may incorporate
teaching better throwing mechanics. Unfortunately some do not.
That said. As a reminder in catching development.
There is requirement on the field to not let runners steal.
Throwing is important!
;)

My teaching goals are
Pop time at or below 2.0 to 2nd base by 14u.
Some beat that time at an earlier age.
 
Last edited:
Oct 14, 2020
109
28
A local pitching coach told me recently that pop time should start at the pitcher's release, because that's when the runner can leave.

Obviously that adds time but what are your thoughts on using this?
 

radness

Possibilities & Opportunities!
Dec 13, 2019
7,270
113
A local pitching coach told me recently that pop time should start at the pitcher's release, because that's when the runner can leave.







Obviously that adds time but what are your thoughts on using this?
Like the sense of urgency in that message!

Can be timed also!
Coaches Eye App
Have reffered several to this now. Tip from@ernieku
Can overlap stopwatch onto video!!! People are liking it!
 

Latest posts

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
42,830
Messages
679,468
Members
21,443
Latest member
sstop28
Top