The first catching drill teaches kids to see the ball and catch it with their hands, not their body. Cue: See, Reach, Squeeze, Tuck. This drill focuses on catches at chest height, hands ready.
What you need: One football. Open grass. No equipment needed.
Setup: Stand 10 feet away from the kid. Both face each other.
How to run it:
- Teach See, Reach, Squeeze, Tuck. Today we focus on See and Reach.
- See: Eyes on the ball the whole way.
- Reach: Hands come out to meet the ball, away from the body. Thumbs together for a catch at chest height.
- Squeeze: Once the ball is in the hands, squeeze it.
- Tuck: Bring it in tight.
- Toss the ball gently to them at chest height. Do 10 catches.
What to watch: Are the hands out and ready or are they waiting for the ball to come to them? Hands out and reaching is right.
If they’re struggling: Toss it softer. Throw it so it’s easy to catch. Get them feeling success first.
If they’ve got it: Move back to 15 feet. Throw it a little harder. Still chest height.