A hard catch bounces the ball out. A soft catch absorbs it. The stick has to give a little when the ball arrives, like catching an egg. This drill teaches the give.
What you need: Two sticks, ball, two players.
Setup: Two players 12 feet apart.
How to run it:
- Coach (or partner) tosses the ball to the player’s stick.
- As the ball arrives, the stick gives back 6 inches (the give).
- Ball stays in the head.
- Player cradles once and tosses back.
- Do 15 catches. Mix high and low passes.
What to watch: The give. If the stick stays still on contact, the ball bounces off. The stick has to move with the ball for a moment.
If they’re struggling: Slow tosses. Larger softer ball.
If they’ve got it: Move further apart. Or vary the height (high, low, side passes).