Why is Catching important
- Assists in the development of hand-eye coordination.
- Functional use of multiple joint segments improves control over the segments.
- Learning how to absorb the catch increases joint stability and full body control.
- Positioning for the catch creates fundamental communication between all body segments and increases overall tone of postural muscles.
Catching is a skill that everyone must learn. Catching is not only important when you are
playing games like baseball and softball, but there are countless other times every day that
catching will help you. Imaging you are about to knock a cup or glass off your kitchen table and
you are able to catch it before it hits the ground…good save. Now imaging that you are a
baseball player on the Detroit Tigers and your catch helps to win the game. The following drills
and games will help you get better at catching no matter what skill level you are. If you are a
beginner at catching, you might start with games 1 and 2. The games/drills get harder as you
go, ending with 5, 6, and 7 being the hardest. If you find the drills are too easy, work your way
down the drills and see what challenges you. If you have practiced catching a lot you are
probably ready challenge yourself with the bottom of the list.