Game version
Catch-and-call: a partner throws and calls a color or number, and you say it as you catch. The pair counts catches, then swaps.
Catching with Soft Hands
Catch with your hands and not your body.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Make a diamond with your thumbs and index fingers for high balls.
Core: Medium. Beat your own best of catches out of 10.
- Ages
- 7 and up
- Time
- 10 min
- Players
- You, and a partner or a wall
- Space
- Yard or field
- Bring
- Football, partner or wall
- Level · skill
- Beginner · Catching
The steps
How it works
- Make a diamond with your thumbs and index fingers for high balls.
- Have a partner toss chest-high passes from 5 yards.
- Catch with your hands, then tuck the ball away right away.
- Do 20 catches.
Coaching point
Eyes to the tuck. Hands, not body.
Make it fun
Play it, don't drill it
Challenge
Pick a level: Less (soft toss), Core (medium), More (on the move). Beat your own best of catches out of 10.
Story
You are a receiver making the big play in the final minute.
My best
Beat your own count
Beat your own best of catches out of 10. Only your own number counts: today against last time.
Practice makes progress
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