HIGH CATCH
Key Points
-
Adopt a
starting position down the line of the oncoming ball.
-
As the
ball reaches its highest point assess where the ball is going to land
-
Approach
the ball as it begins to descend
-
Moving
forward plant the jumping foot and extend upwards, swinging the opposite leg
forward
-
Extend
the arms fully above the head.
-
Head up,
keep eyes on the ball.
-
Reach to
field the ball at the highest safest point.
-
Spreading
the fingers to form a w shape behind the ball, catch the ball slightly in
front of the head
-
Cushion
the ball and secure to the chest with both hands
Practice the Technique
Drill
1 - Basic Throw and Catch
-
Divide
the group into pairs, one football per pair.
-
The
players stand approximately 3 meters apart.
-
The
player with the ball throws the ball underarm to their partner to catch
overhead, who repeats.
-
Move the
players further apart as their technique improves.
-
Count the
number of successful catches in 30 seconds
Drill
2 Intermediate Move and Catch
-
Divide
the players into groups of 8, one football per group.
-
Mark out
a distance of approximately 8 to 10 meters using cones.
-
Place a
marker half way between the outer cones.
-
4 Players
line up at either cone.
-
The
player in possession throws the ball underarm for the opposite player to run
forward and catch at the halfway marker.
-
The
player in possession then runs on and hands the ball to the next player to
repeat the drill.
-
Each
player follows on to line up at the back of the opposite line.
Drill 3 Intermediate - Move and Catch
-
Mark out
a channel as shown
-
Divide
the players into groups of three, one ball per group
-
Beginning
at one end of the channel Player A jogging backwards throws the ball for
player B to move forward and perform the high catch
-
On
landing Player B fist passes the ball to Player C who in turn fist passes
the ball to the Player A to serve again for Player B and so on until the
group have reached the end of the channel
-
Rotate
the players and repeat the drill
-
To
increase the difficulty of the drill the pace should be increased.
-
Adapt the
drill by making Player B the server who must throw the ball up for Player A
to catch as they jog backwards
-
A further
progression is for Player C to provide token opposition to Player B as they
attempt to perform the high catch
Drill 4 Advanced - Opposition Catch
-
This is
an advanced drill to practice the high catch technique
-
Mark out
a grid approximately 10m x 10m
-
Divide
the players into groups of 4
-
Two
players are positioned within the grid
-
The other
two players act as feeders and are positioned one to either side of the grid
with a ball each
-
Each
feeder is designated a partner
-
Each
feeder in turn throws or kicks the ball for their partner to perform the
high catch while the other player provides token opposition
-
As the
players become more competent allow both players to contest for the ball
-
Ensure
that opponents are equally matched
Develop the Technique
Fun
Game 1 Freeze Ball
-
This is a
fun game to develop the high catch
-
Mark out
a grid approximately 30m x 20m
-
Divide
the players into two equal teams of 5 to 10 players
-
Each
players begins with 3 lives
-
The
player in possession kicks, fists or throws the ball up in the air and
shouts a number or name.
-
The
player called has to catch the ball overhead while the other players scatter
in all directions.
-
On
catching the ball the player shouts Freeze and all the other players must
stand still.
-
From a
stationary position the catcher must attempt to hit another player with the
ball by fist passing the ball at them
-
If the
player is hit that player loses a life
-
The game
continues until one player has lost 3 lives.
Fun
Game High Catch Volleyball
-
Mark out
a court using cones
-
Place a
net or dividing line to mark the court into 2 sections
-
Divide
the players into two equal teams
-
The
objective of the game is to field the ball after it has been kicked into
your section of the court by the opposing team
-
The team
who reaches 20 high catches first is the winner
-
Alternatively if a player drops the ball they must move to the other team
-
Introduce
a second ball to increase the intensity of the game.