Pop time is the measurement from when a pitch hits the catcher’s mitt to when it reaches the infielder’s glove at second base. For youth catchers, improving pop time is often the difference between making the team and riding the bench. A good pop time at the youth level ranges from 2.2 to 2.5 seconds, while elite high school catchers can achieve times under 2.0 seconds.
Many young catchers focus only on throwing harder, but pop time improvement involves three key components: getting into throwing position quickly, throwing velocity, and accuracy. The stopwatch doesn’t stop until the infielder cleanly catches your throw, so a wild throw that forces them to jump or reach adds precious time to your measurement. Understanding these fundamentals and training the right techniques can help youth catchers drop significant time off their pop time while building the foundation for advanced play.
Master the Transfer and Quick Setup
The biggest mistake youth catchers make is waiting until they catch the ball to begin their throwing motion. Smart catchers “cheat” by positioning their body in a coiled, ready position before the pitch arrives. Start your footwork as the ball approaches your mitt – this allows you to move through the ball and get it out of your hand faster.
The transfer from glove to throwing hand seems simple but contains many hidden time-wasters. Common transfer mistakes include:
- Reaching for the ball instead of bringing it to your chest
- Creating loops in your arm action
- Failing to get a proper grip quickly
- Taking too long to move from mitt to throwing hand
Focus on catching the ball closer to your face so there’s less distance to travel from mitt to hand. Practice transferring the ball from glove to hand without any footwork first – this isolates the hand exchange and helps you find the most efficient path.
Youth catchers often have different footwork patterns every time they throw, which creates inconsistency and wastes time. Develop a repeatable sequence:
- Catch the ball with your right foot already starting to move
- Transfer cleanly to your chest
- Sync your lower body movement with your arm action
Practice this sequence slowly at first, then gradually increase speed while maintaining consistency. The key is starting your entire process sooner, especially your lower half movement, rather than reacting after you’ve already caught the ball.
Perfect Your Footwork and Body Mechanics
Getting your right foot down quickly after catching the ball is essential for creating a strong throwing base. Many youth catchers pop up too quickly or take too many steps, both of which add time and reduce accuracy. Focus on getting your right foot planted as you complete the transfer, creating a stable foundation for your throw. Your footwork should be efficient – typically just a quick right-left step pattern that gets you into throwing position.
Youth catchers frequently make these time-consuming footwork mistakes:
- Taking unnecessary extra steps
- Drifting sideways instead of gaining ground toward second base
- Having poor rhythm between their feet and arm action
- Popping up too quickly from their stance
- Creating momentum in the wrong direction
Your body should be moving toward your target, not sideways or backward. Keep your chest square to second base and avoid excessive rotation that throws off your accuracy and timing. Take a small step toward second base during your throw, but avoid over-striding which can hurt accuracy and timing.
The most efficient pop times happen when your lower body and arm action work together. As your feet get into position, your arm should be completing the transfer and moving into throwing position. This synchronization prevents dead time where one part of your body is waiting for the other.
For training progression, follow this sequence:
- Start with stationary throwing from your knees to develop arm action
- Progress to standing footwork drills without catching
- Add the full catching and throwing sequence
- Focus on maintaining proper mechanics while gradually increasing speed
Each progression should emphasize consistent mechanics every single time rather than maximum speed.
Build Throwing Power and Accuracy
While arm strength matters, youth catchers often think lifting weights alone will solve their pop time problems. Like hitting for power, throwing velocity comes from using your entire body efficiently. A smaller catcher who uses proper mechanics can often out-throw a bigger, stronger player with poor technique.
Focus on developing rotational power through these exercises:
- Medicine ball throws for core strength
- Resistance band work for arm action
- Core strengthening exercises
- Leg drive and hip rotation drills
Remember that the stopwatch doesn’t stop until the infielder catches your throw. A strong but wild throw that makes the fielder jump or reach adds time to your pop time. Work on hitting your target consistently before worrying about maximum velocity. Missing the target by even a few inches can add several tenths of a second to your time.
Youth catchers need to handle various pitch locations and types during games. Practice your pop time technique with balls thrown to different spots:
- High strikes near the letters
- Low pitches in the dirt
- Inside corner pitches
- Outside corner pitches
Each location requires slight adjustments to your setup and transfer, but your basic mechanics should remain consistent. Use a stopwatch or pop time app to measure your improvement objectively, and don’t overtrain with high-intent throwing. Quality repetitions with good mechanics are more valuable than high-volume throwing with poor form.
Mental Approach and Game Situations
Good pop time in practice means nothing if you can’t execute under game pressure. Work on reading baserunners’ tendencies and timing your setup based on the count and situation. Some runners tip their hand with early movements or poor secondary leads. Youth catchers often overthink their mechanics when a runner takes off – trust your preparation and execute the same technique you’ve practiced hundreds of times.
Create realistic practice scenarios that include:
- Runners actually stealing during drills
- Background noise and distractions
- Different pitch types and locations
- Various game situations and counts
Work with your pitchers on timing and pitch selection since faster pitches give runners less time to steal, and certain pitch types are easier to handle cleanly.
Develop a consistent pre-pitch routine:
- Get into proper stance early
- Read the runner’s tendencies
- Position your body for quick transfer
- Stay mentally focused on execution
Consistency in setup leads to consistency in execution, which translates to better pop times when it matters most during actual games.
Conclusion
Improving youth catcher pop time requires a systematic approach focusing on efficient transfers, proper footwork, and consistent mechanics rather than just throwing harder. Start with stationary drills to master the fundamentals, then progress to full-speed scenarios that simulate game conditions. Remember that accuracy is just as important as speed – the timer doesn’t stop until the infielder catches your throw.
With dedicated practice and attention to these key areas, most youth catchers can significantly improve their pop time. Focus on quality repetitions, track your progress objectively, and be patient as these skills develop over time.
Ready to take your catching skills to the next level? Athletes Untapped connects youth players with experienced catching coaches who can provide personalized instruction on pop time improvement and other catching fundamentals. Find qualified instructors in your area who understand the specific needs of developing catchers. Explore our catching coaches.
