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High and Low Catches

Learn the right hand shape for balls above and below your waist.

By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026

BB · PARTNERAA · YOU8 YARDS
BB · PARTNERAA · YOU
SetupStand 8 yards from your partner.

Core: Medium. Beat your own best of catches out of 10.

Ages
7 and up
Time
8 min
Players
You and a partner
Space
Yard or field
Bring
Football, partner
Level · skill
Beginner · Catching

The steps

How it works

  1. Stand 8 yards from your partner.
  2. For high throws make a diamond with thumbs together.
  3. For low throws put your pinkies together.
  4. Catch 15 high and 15 low.

Coaching point

Hands first, then tuck it away.

Make it fun

Play it, don't drill it

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.

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

Print it now, or save it free

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