How do you teach them to catch a ball? (Rec League)

As the fall season approaches for our rec league, I'm wondering what others have done to effectively teach the simple act of catching a ball.

I'll be coaching 7 yr olds - what cues / techniques have you had the most success with?

Thanks in advance,

Gags

At that age we started with a tennis ball and they worked on just catching the ball with their bare glove hand (no glove). Lots of repetition. Gradually move on to catching with a glove with the tennis ball. Once they get comfortable, introduce the softball. For new players, pull them aside and spend extra time with them. It may take weeks and should be part of every practice.

A couple of helpful tips: a) the glove should be easy to close (i.e. broken in). Their hands are not that strong so the easier it is to close the better. For 6YO DD, I made the mistake of buying her a pink, "plastic" glove that had lights on it that lite up. While it was cute, it was a useless glove because the battery was large and bulky in the palm of the glove and did not catch the ball well or close easily; b) really encourage your parents to play catch with their kids, away from practice. Even 15 mins 3x a week will be a huge help in their DD's catching ability; c) lastly this is age where development is key and making sure the players have a fun time so they want to play next season.

Good luck, with 7YO's it can be like herding cats Lots of patience and encouragement.

Wiffle balls, tennis balls. Teach them to catch WITHOUT the glove first, then move onto a glove once they get the hang of it.

Things like "fingers up to the sun" to stop early basket catching habits forming. Catch with two hands 'in a basket" is good as well.

Some will get it in a session - others will take all season, so it is a matter of moving through various balls and distance until they are comfortable. Put a batting helmet on them if they are really worried about getting hit by the ball.

Lastly - don't lie to them - the ball DOES hurt. But not that much (well not yet anyway).

And yes, anyone who turns up with the stupid pink t-ball glove that is too small but they bought because it was pretty - they should take it back and get a real glove. Don't need to spend all that much, but a real glove is called for..

Same here. Taught my younger teams barehanded with a tennis ball. Moved them back further and further til they hit about 15 feet. Then I transitioned into the glove with tennis balls. Later I went to real 11 inch balls explaining to them the bigger ball is much easier to catch. Everyone always had a fielder's mask or helmet on. One suggestion that marriard made is to make sure they have a real glove and I totally agree. I will add to that to make sure they are broken in. Nothing can make a kid lose confidence in catching a ball at that age than having a glove they're not strong enough to close and do you know how many will show up with a brand new glove?!

Exactly what everyone has posted already. Wiffle balls or tennis balls are great because it gives them the confidence to try and catch the ball without the fear of getting hurt by it if they miss it. Once they are passed that fear they will treat a real ball the same. If you have access to them. Softie type balls can be used as a step between wiffles and regular balls. I know a lot of leagues use softie balls for regular game play.

Have fun teaching them.

Agree with posts above.

Other comment I would make is try to match players up correctly, with a parent if you need too.

You do not want a kid throwing 100MPH to a player that can not catch, you all of a sudden have 2 problems.

I need to learn some self control.

All great advice. Also keep in mind that some kids motor skills develop slower than others.

The other thing is that playing catch a time or 2 a week is nice, but if they want to get good they need to practice at home. I really
miss the old days of playing catch with my DD.

It started with sock ball... Tennis, wiffle...ect 4yrs old -8yrs old. At 8yrs old I stated throwing only to one side same height... have her move out to get it... But when I started to teach her to throw, I found that it was better for me to learn to "throw underhand" & to her from then on. It took some time for me...I got good at it at the same pace she learn to throw overhand......Everything underhand ...Its batting Practice...

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My two DD were taught to catch by me throwing a "hacky sack" to them from couch to couch in our living room. Now after years of playing we still play our hacky sack game in the house and have a blast!