What is the proper way to catch a football? Catch a low football with your body and a high football with your hands. A very high-paced sport, the small intricacies that make of the sport of football can...
A very high-paced sport, the small intricacies that make of the sport of football can sometimes be easily overlooked.
For instance, a wide receiver can have all the physically tools to be successful. He can be fast, big, strong and very athletic. But if he can't catch the football when it's thrown to him the chances of him making it are slim to none.
For instance, a wide receiver can have all the physically tools to be successful. He can be fast, big, strong and very athletic. But if he can't catch the football when it's thrown to him the chances of him making it are slim to none.
A former Super Bowl Champion when he played wide receiver with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Reggie Barlow said that most catches are always going to be with the hands.
"You'll want to use your hands ninety percent of the time," Barlow said. "But it won't always happen like that. I think sometimes when you feel like you're going to catch the ball in traffic; it may not be a bad idea to catch it with your body. The ultimate goal is to catch the football with your hands; however there are occasions where you won't have that choice."
The first step in catching a football properly is running to the area where the ball is supposed to come and getting in a proper catching position. The proper catching position would be facing in the direction the football is coming from with your legs slightly bent and your feet shoulder length apart.
Also, you want to always try to separate yourself from any defenders. Defenders will do any and everything possible to keep you from making the catch.
Once you've gotten yourself in a good catching position, raise your arms for the football slightly bending your elbows and focus your eyes on the target.
One of the most important tips to remember when catching the football is how you should have your hands as the ball approaches. Experts always say to make sure your thumbs and index fingers on both hands touch, forming a shape similar to a spade in a deck of cards between your hands. This spade shaped area is where you should attempt to catch the nose of the football.
But, as Barlow stated earlier, you have to be ready for any type of pass. "If it's a very low ball below the knees, you might have to body catch it" he said. "Any ball that is above your waist, you'll want thumb to thumb when you catch it. And for any ball below the waist, you'll want pinky to pinky when you're catching it."
In order for a wide receiver to be successful, he must have what football players call "soft hands". Meaning, as the ball is approaching him for the catch, he should be sure to cradle the football instead of fighting against it. Many experts say that the football should be treated like an egg as to ensure a solid catch.
According to Barlow, having soft hands will usually get you assigned to the hand's team. "The hands team is basically a bunch of athletic guys who coaches think have pretty decent hands," he said. "That ball on the onside kick comes up pretty fast and hard, so you want to have some guys who can be able to retrieve it and bring it in."
