LOW CATCH

Key Points

• Head down, eyes on the ball.
• As the ball approaches, get behind the ball, bending the back and knees.
• Extend the arms low with the elbows close together and the fingers pointing to the ground.
• Step forward placing one foot alongside the ball.
• Spread the fingers of both hands to create a ‘W’ shape and cushion the ball into the hands.
• Hold the ball securely with both hands and bring into the chest.

Practice the Technique

Drill 1 - Basic - Throw and Low Catch

• Divide the group into pairs, with one football per pair.
• The players stand approximately 3 metres apart.
• The player with the ball throws the ball to bounce before their partner to low catch, who repeats the drill.
• Move the players further apart as their technique improves.
• Count the number of successful catches in 30 seconds.

Drill 2 - Basic - Islands

• Divide the players into groups of 3, each group in triangle formation approximately 3 metres apart.
• Ensure each group has adequate space to perform the technique.
• Player A throws the ball low towards the feet of player B.
• Player B then repeats the drill with Player C and so on around the triangle.
• After a set time, change the direction of the drill.

Drill 3 - Intermediate - Move and Catch

• Divide the players into groups of 8, with one ball per group
• Mark out a distance of approximately 8 to 10 metres using cones.
• Place a marker half way between the outer cones.
• Four Players line up at either cone.
• The player in possession throws the ball underarm for the player opposite.
• This opposite player runs forward and catches the ball at the halfway marker and 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.

Develop the Technique

Fun Game 1 –  Low Catch 3 V’s 1

• Mark out a grid 5m by 5m using cones.
• Position one player at each of 3 corners of the grid.
• Position a further player in the middle of the grid.
• The outside players must throw the ball along the lengths of the grid to keep possession.
• The ball may only be thrown and caught at a cone and it must be caught using the Low Catch technique.
• The middle player attempts to intercept the ball.
• If the ball is dropped or intercepted, the outside player responsible moves to take up position as the ‘piggy in the middle’
• Change the middle player after a set time.