A catching Problem with a few players.

[SirCharles]

I have been a longtime lurker here and found this forum very helpful so I decided to post and actually ask some questions and also help if I am able to. My problem is that I have a few kids(10U) that stab at the ball instead of just catching it and I was wondering if there are any drills that can correct this. I have searched the forums and couldn't find anything related to this. I am worried that the kids will stab at the ball and miss it then get hit in the face which would create a definite fear of the ball in my opinion.



Thanks in Advance


SirC

[Chris O'Leary]

I have been a longtime lurker here and found this forum very helpful so I decided to post and actually ask some questions and also help if I am able to. My problem is that I have a few kids(10U) that stab at the ball instead of just catching it and I was wondering if there are any drills that can correct this. I have searched the forums and couldn't find anything related to this. I am worried that the kids will stab at the ball and miss it then get hit in the face which would create a definite fear of the ball in my opinion.

They have to let the ball come to the glove and not the other way around.

To fix this, do some basic soft hands drills. My favorite is to play one-handed catch with the Splash Bomb balls that kids play gutterball with during the summer. Because these balls are so light and springy, to catch them you have to have VERY soft hands. That means you have to gradually decelerate the ball with your hand. If you try to stab at these balls with your hand, it will bounce right off your hand.

[Drill]

have them run with there glove side to the ball, going forward back wards, and practice on the balls that are hit to the opposite sideways to the glove hand.



drill

[SirCharles]

Thanks alot guys I will try these and report back with the outcome.

[Maxx]

Check here for good advice: www.catchingcoach.com

[Jake Patterson]

At this age I would suggest starting bare hand with punctured tennis balls. They do not hurt and with the air out of them they don't bounce around everywhere.
Jake

PS: Send me your Email and I will send you an article that may help.

[SirCharles]

Jake you have a PM.