Kids who slap at the ball with the glove make it bounce out. Soft hands means the glove gives a little when the ball lands, like an egg landing in your palm. The opposite is “hard hands” where the glove stays stiff and the ball pops away.
What you need: A glove and 5 tennis balls.
Setup: Stand 4 feet from the kid. They face you with the glove open at chest height.
How to run it:
- Cue: Eyes, Hands, Squeeze, Pull. Today the focus is Pull.
- Drop a ball into their glove from 1 foot above. Don’t throw. Just drop.
- They squeeze when the ball lands and pull the glove softly into the chest.
- Do 5 drops. Then take a step back and toss the ball gently from 6 feet.
- Last 5: regular tosses from 8 feet. Same soft pull.
What to watch: What happens after the ball lands. If the glove stays out front and stiff, the ball bounces away. If the glove pulls in toward the chest, the ball is secure.
If they’re struggling: Use a marshmallow or a soft sponge ball. Even softer landings.
If they’ve got it: Throw a little harder. Or throw slightly off-center so they have to reach and still pull soft.