Catching - Close Catching

DESCRIPTION

• The Fielder Walks in so they are bewteen two cones (Gate)
• The Coach then hits a catch and tries to hit the ball through the gate
• A point system can be put in place for this drills

Catch = 2 Points 

Ball Stopped = 1 Point

Ball Let Through the Gate = -1 Point

COACHING POINTS

Coaching Points for Low / Cover Catches –

For Cover catching it is important to ‘walk into the catch’ you do this by taking 4 – 5 paces then getting into a ‘set position’ – A good way to do this is to ‘jump’ a little and use the momentum of the jump make sure that you can spring left or right.

1. Feet should be comfortably placed approximately shoulder width apart (Maybe slightly wider).
2. Knees should be slightly bent… not so much that you are squatting but then low enough that you can spring to the left or to the right.
3. Your fingers should always be pointed either up or down with your little fingers (down) or thumbs and index fingers overlapping (up), the rest of your fingers should be spread out to cover the largest possible area.
4. Your Hands should be slightly out in front of your body so that you can bring the ball into your belly button after you have caught the ball (absorbing the pace of the ball).
5. Eyes and head should be level at all times (if the catch is coming straight at you) your eyes should always follow the ball even after first contact into your hands.
6. ALWAYS TRY AND USE 2 HANDS

Coaching Points for High Catches –

1. There are two main ways to take high catches the ‘English’ way (Fingers pointing ‘down’) and the ‘Australian’ way (Fingers pointing up)
2. The set up prior to the catch is very similar, the Feet should be comfortably placed approximately shoulder width apart (Maybe slightly wider).
3. It is more important that your knees be flexed for high catches because when you take the catch it is a good idea to absorb some of the pace off the ball by bending your knees on contact.
4. It is very important that you stand in the right place for these catches and get into position under the ball early so that you can then get into the correct position.
5. English (Fingers down method) – Your hands move up so they are in front of you chin, again the little fingers should be overlapped and your hands making the biggest target possible. As the ball comes down you let it go beyond the level of yours eyes and into your hands. You then absorb the pace of the ball by bringing your hands down into your chest.
6. Australian (Fingers up method) – Your hands are raised above your head so they are in line with the ball coming down (you should be able to see the ball through your hands), as the ball comes down and makes contact with your hands you absorb the pace of the ball by bringing your hands down to your shoulder as well as bending your knees.
7. Again you need to watch the ball constantly throughout the entire process
8. ALWAYS TRY AND USE 2 HANDS