Better Coaches Coaching Drill: Fielding Pop Flys

To learn to effectively surround and catch a pop fly from the catching position.

Coach or partner will toss a baseball directly up from home plate (a fungo may be used to hit the ball if coach is comfortable with using one)
Simulating a game situation, the catcher will not look up to find the ball until it is on its way up and then proceed to make a proper catch

Because of the spin a ball gets off the bat when it is hit straight up, the balls has a tendency to come back towards the pitcher's mound.
For this reason it is important for a catcher to always turn around and face the back-stop. The way the ball will be angling towards them, not away.
Steps to fielding a pop up:
Take off mask (but hold on to it).
Find the ball
While turning around to face the backstop, go to the place a couple of steps in front of where you think the ball will land (it is much easier to walk towards the spot the ball will land instead of back pedalling).
Once you have found the spot, throw your mask into foul territory away from where you are going to catch the ball