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.