Game version
Big-ball catch: take turns tossing and catching the big soft ball, a little farther apart each time.
Big Ball Catch
A grown-up tosses a big soft ball gently from close by, and the child catches it with hands and arms. Catching is a skill for every ball sport.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth soccer coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Stand 2 big steps apart with a big soft ball.
- Ages
- 4 to 6
- Time
- 3 min
- Players
- Just you
- Space
- Yard or field
- Bring
- Big soft ball or beach ball
- Level · skill
- Beginner · Dribbling
The steps
How it works
- Stand 2 big steps apart with a big soft ball.
- Show “ready hands”: arms out, fingers spread.
- Toss the ball gently, underhand, to their chest.
- They catch and toss it back. Step back a little after 5 good catches.
Coaching point
Praise the try: “You watched it all the way!”
Safety: A big soft ball only, tossed gently and underhand from close by.
Make it fun
Play it, don't drill it
Story
The ball is a giant balloon that you must not let drop.
Practice makes progress
Print it now, or save it free
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An email from you to the coach, with the words ready. Nothing is tracked and nobody is rewarded.