Quiz the Coach - I Can't Catch!

The Kidzworld Coach

Quiz the Coach - I Can't Catch! - Reviewed by Kidzworld on Oct 10, 2007

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The Kidzworld Coach has all your sports and fitness advice. This week we teach you how to catch a football.

So ya dig sports but need some help with your game? Don't understand some of the rules of football, basketball or hockey? Got a gripe about P.E. class, skateboarders, cheerleading, coaches, or anything? Why not ?

Hey Coach,
We play football at recess all the time. The problem is, I can't catch for some reason. Everybody calls me butterfingers. Help!
CharlesZ

CharlesZ,
Butterfingers may be your nickname now, but if you practice and follow our suggestions, it won't be your name for very long. Here are our tips for improving your catching ability.

Confidence - If you're scared to have the ball thrown to you, or you believe you're going to drop it, then that's exactly what is going to happen. Great receivers have the confidence that they will catch the ball. And if they don't - they believe they'll catch it the next time.

Practice - Rome wasn't built in a day and neither were football players. Get a buddy and play catch as often as possible. Repetition will help you get a better feel for the ball and will improve your confidence. If it helps, start out with a nerf football first, because real footballs can hurt.

Watch the Ball - You can't catch it, if you can't see it. I know it seems like common sense, but you must keep your eyes on the ball the entire time. You have to learn how to focus on it, despite the distractions - defenders, crowd, etc. The better idea you have of where the ball is and where it is going, the better position you are to catch the ball.

Don't Use Your Body - A lot of people make the mistake and try to make a basket catch and let the ball hit your chest first then try to secure it with their arms. But using your body to catch decreases your odds of catching it, plus it hurts!

Use Your Hands - Extend your arms away from your body and form your hands in a diamond shape. But remember, don't attack the ball, absorb it. Let the ball gradually fall into your hands.

Seal It In - Once you catch the ball, try to make it a habit to pull it in and protect it. Tuck the ball in with one arm against your body and protect it with your opposite hand. This will decrease the chances of a defender stripping the ball or you fumbling it.

If you work on all these things, I guarantee you will improve your catching. And who knows, you might even be the next Randy Moss!

Do you need tips or advice on sports, fitness or health? to the Kidzworld Coach. Keep in mind peeps, the Kidzworld Coach isn't a doctor or a professional athlete or anything like that. He's just a dude who digs sports, plays 'em and knows a lot about 'em. You should always talk to your 'rents, a doctor or your school gym teacher before starting a new sport or a new exercise.

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