The Glove Lock Test: Free Catching Challenge for Ages 7–12

STEP 1 / THE CHALLENGE

The Glove Lock Test

SET IT UP

Catcher in full gear, in a comfortable receiving stance. Adult tosses 10 soft balls from 15 feet (8U: 10 ft) to different spots around the zone.

HOW TO SCORE

Count a locked catch only if the mitt catches it and stays still for a one-count — no stab, no drop, no flinch.

STEP 2 / THE ONE FIX · 5 MINUTES

Quiet Target, Active Eyes

A still, visible target gives pitchers feedback and makes short easy tosses simpler to receive.

THE CUE“Give a target and see it in.”

THE DRILL

Wearing full gear, catch 8 comfortable soft tosses from a known direction, showing the target early and keeping eyes on the ball.

8U: Start with properly fitted full equipment and easy foam receives; avoid unprotected live blocking or throwing pressure.
10U: Add controlled transfer steps and simple verbal coverage calls before increasing ball difficulty.
12U: Mix receiving, leadership and safe runner reads; still prioritize protective equipment and fatigue controls.

STEP 3 / THE RETEST

Same challenge. Same rules. Go.

Say the cue out loud once — “Give a target and see it in.” — then run The Glove Lock Test again exactly like the first time.

Safe practice: Full properly fitted catching protection is required for catching drills; a trained adult supervises. Avoid unprotected blocked pitches, live collisions and hard throws for younger athletes. Catcher/pitcher role overlap may be restricted by league rules.