There's nothing more deflating than a runner advancing on a dropped third strike. Here's a drill perfect for helping your catchers keep their cool and execute proper dropped-strike defense.
Setting up the Drill
The coach should stand behind a catcher who assumes a normal crouch position. Coach will roll ball to different places behind catcher and will then yell "Ball"!
Quick Strike
Catcher must go into blocking position then come up quickly, locate the ball, and throw to first base. The first baseman will read the location of the ball and will call 'inside' for a ball to the left of the first baseline or 'outside' for a ball to the right of the baseline.
If this drill is practiced often enough it will virtually eliminate a catcher panicking on a dropped third strike.
Variations of the Drill
Another variation of this drill has a runner on third base (less than two outs). The catcher looks the runner back to third, delivers the throw to first, then positions himself for a throw back to the plate. Baserunner decides if they should attempt to go home.