Receiving a thrown ball is different from self-toss. Now the kid has to react to the speed and angle. The cue is Eyes, Hands, Squeeze, Pull.
What you need: 10 soft baseballs (11”), two kids or an adult and kid at 12 feet apart.
Setup: Stand 12 feet apart. Kid wears a glove and faces you in ready position.
How to run it:
- Cue: Eyes, Hands, Squeeze, Pull. Today focus on Eyes and Hands.
- You toss underhand to them at chest height.
- They keep Eyes on the ball the whole time. Both Hands reach for it. Catch it in the glove.
- Do 10 tosses. No throwing back yet. Just catch and hand the ball back.
- After 10, they throw the ball back to you using their throw mechanics.
What to watch: Do both hands move to catch? Or does one hand hang? Both hands is the standard.
If they’re struggling: Stand closer at 8 feet. Toss even softer. Use a bigger ball.
If they’ve got it: Toss to different heights (high, low, shoulder). Make them reach and adjust.