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Catching a basketball is a fundamental skill that players need to master. It can be practised in a variety of ways, from solo drills to group exercises. One common method is to stand with your back to a wall, throw the ball against it, turn, and catch it without letting it bounce. This can be done at varying distances from the wall. Another drill is the Around the World, where players move around the court's perimeter, catching passes from different angles and shooting without hesitation. Coaches should also be mindful that not all players can catch naturally and must be prepared to teach the skill, emphasising the importance of catching with two hands and looking at the ball.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of ways to catch a basketball | 3 (eyes, feet, and hands) |
| Basic catching technique | Catch with two hands, thumbs and "pointer" fingers behind the ball, and other fingers on the side of the ball |
| Catching with two hands | Extend both arms toward the ball |
| Catching with one hand | Raise or lower the hand to indicate where the ball should be received |
| Catching a ball thrown above the head | Arms should extend upward with fingers pointing to the sky, thumbs facing each other, and palms open toward the passer |
| Catching a ball thrown low | Fingers should point downward with the pinkies pointing toward each other, palms open toward the passer, and thumbs pointing away from each other |
| Common mistakes | Not looking at the ball, hands or fingers too close together, fingers pointing at the ball |
| Drills | Hard Catch, Tug of War, Change the Ball, Around the World, Quick Release, Spot-Up Shooting |
| Practice tips | Practice against a wall, practice with a football, keep your feet on the floor, don't jump to pass, make firm passes, don't pass too hard or too soft, have good balance, be on the balls of the feet |
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What You'll Learn
Practice catching with two hands
To practice catching a basketball with two hands, start by standing with your back facing a wall at a distance of 1.5 to 2 metres. Throw the ball against the wall using an overhead throw, turn, and catch the ball before it bounces on the floor. Ensure you turn on both sides, first the right, then the left. As you turn, keep your arms outstretched and wait for the ball to come to your hands. As the ball reaches your hands, bring your hands to your chest to cushion the momentum and shield the ball. This will also set you up to make a pass or move the ball in your desired direction.
Another drill to practice catching with two hands is the "Two-Hand Bounce Catch Drill". Start with the ball in front of you, holding it with both hands. Drop the ball and quickly switch the position of your hands by bringing them behind your back. After letting the ball bounce once, catch it between your legs. This drill helps with hand-eye coordination and teaches you to stay low and keep your feet spread wide, using your fingertips to grip the ball instead of your palms.
You can also try the "Hard Catch" drill. Hold the ball with both hands and throw it into the ground as hard as you can, immediately catching it with both hands. This drill helps to develop hand strength and improve your ability to absorb the momentum of a pass.
Additionally, a simple way to practice catching with two hands is to toss the ball in the air and try to catch it. This can be done alone and helps improve your ability to anticipate and catch passes.
When catching the ball with two hands, it is important to ensure your thumbs and index fingers are behind the ball, with the other fingers on the side. Keep your eyes on the ball until it reaches your hands, and be ready to receive a pass by getting your hands in position as soon as you see the ball coming towards you.
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Learn to run towards the pass
Learning to run towards the pass is an important skill to master in basketball. This skill can be practised in a variety of ways, which can help you improve your catching and passing abilities.
One method is to stand with your back facing a wall, at a distance of 1.5 to 2 metres. Throw the ball against the wall using an overhead throw, then turn and catch it. It is important that the ball does not bounce on the floor. Repeat this exercise, turning on both your right and left sides. This will help you develop your ability to turn and catch the ball, regardless of your position.
Another drill to improve your catching and running skills is to stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and throw the ball in the air above you. You should then catch the ball between your legs, with one hand around the back of one leg and the other hand in front of the other leg. This drill helps you practice catching the ball in a variety of positions, improving your overall agility.
You can also practice passing and running drills with teammates. For example, two players stand opposite each other at a distance of approximately 4 metres. The players pass to each other and then go to the opposite group. After passing, the player runs and touches the middle cone and returns to their cone. This drill helps players practice passing, running, and changing directions quickly.
Additionally, you can practice catching the ball by using a football. Kicking a football high in the air and trying to catch it can help you improve your ability to catch a basketball, as you will need to internalise the physics of the ball's movement. This will help you better understand the movement of the basketball, improving your catching skills.
By focusing on these drills and practicing regularly, you will be able to effectively learn to run towards the pass and improve your overall basketball skills.
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Catch with your hands, not your body
Catching a basketball is a fundamental skill that players should master. It is important to catch the ball with your hands, not your body. This is because a missed catch will often result in a turnover, and a poorly executed catch can affect the player's ability to shoot, dribble, or pass effectively.
To improve your catching technique, follow these steps:
- Always be prepared to receive a pass, and when you see the ball coming towards you, get your hands ready instantly. Keep your hands up near your chest so that you are ready to catch the ball.
- As the ball reaches your hands, cushion the momentum by moving your hands towards your chest. This will help to shield the ball and set you up for your next move.
- When catching the ball, ensure that your thumbs and "pointer" fingers are behind the ball, while the other fingers are on the side of the ball. This will provide a more secure grip and prevent the ball from bouncing off your hands.
- Practice catching against a wall. Stand with your back facing the wall, throw the ball against the wall using an overhead throw, then turn and catch the ball without letting it bounce on the floor. Repeat this drill on both your right and left sides.
- Try the "Tug of War" drill with a teammate or coach. Hold the ball in both hands at chest height, then have your partner place their hands on the ball and pull it away. They then push the ball back into your hands. Swap roles after completing this drill five times.
- To improve your hand strength, search for hand strength workouts online.
Remember, catching the ball with your hands instead of your body will give you more control and allow for smoother transitions into your next moves on the court.
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Keep your eyes on the ball
Catching a basketball is a fundamental skill that requires practice and concentration. Keeping your eyes on the ball is a crucial part of this process, and it can be the difference between a successful catch and a turnover. Here are some tips to help you improve your catching skills by focusing on keeping your eyes on the ball:
Athletic Stance and Targeting
Before receiving a pass, get into an athletic stance with your knees bent, back straight, and head up. Show the passer a target hand, indicating where you want the ball delivered. This target hand should be away from the defender, giving you a clear path to catch the ball.
Tracking the Ball
As the passer releases the ball, keep your eyes on it at all times. Follow its trajectory and movement, and adjust your position if needed. This helps you prepare for any type of pass, whether good or bad.
Catching Technique
When catching the ball, use both hands whenever possible. This provides more control and reduces the risk of fumbling or losing possession. As the ball approaches, keep your eyes on it until it reaches your hands. Your thumbs and index fingers will be behind the ball, with the other fingers on the sides. This technique ensures a secure catch.
Practicing Against a Wall
A great way to improve your catching skills and reinforce the habit of keeping your eyes on the ball is to practice against a wall. Stand with your back against the wall, then throw the ball against it and turn to catch it. Focus on the ball's rebound, and use this exercise to make catching second nature.
Tug of War Drill
Another effective drill is the "Tug of War." Hold the ball at chest height and have a teammate grab it with both hands and pull it away. Push the ball back into their hands, and repeat this process several times. This drill helps improve your grip strength and reinforces the importance of keeping your eyes on the ball during intense exchanges.
Remember, catching a basketball is a skill that requires practice and concentration. Keep your eyes on the ball, and you'll improve your catching ability, reducing turnovers and increasing your team's chances of success.
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Practice catching from different angles
To improve your ability to catch the basketball from different angles, you can try the "Around the World" drill. This involves moving around the perimeter of the court, catching passes from different angles and shooting without hesitation. Start at one corner of the court and have a teammate or coach pass you the ball. Catch it in a triple-threat position, quickly square up to the basket, and shoot. After each shot, move to the next spot along the perimeter until you've completed a full lap. This drill will not only improve your catching skills but also your footwork and shooting under pressure.
Additionally, you can practice catching the ball from different angles by incorporating game-like situations into your drills. For example, run a 5-on-5 scrimmage and focus on finding open spots on the floor to receive passes for catch-and-shoot opportunities. This will help you practice catching and shooting under pressure and in real-game situations.
Another way to improve your catching skills is to practice against a wall. Stand with your back facing the wall, throw the ball against it using an overhead throw, then turn and catch the ball without letting it bounce on the floor. Turn on both sides, right and left, and practice catching with both hands. This will help you develop the proper technique for catching the ball and improve your coordination.
You can also try the "Quick Release" drill, which focuses on releasing your shot as soon as you receive the pass. Have a partner stand about 10 feet away from you and pass you the ball. Catch the ball in a shooting position and practice shooting off both one- and two-foot jumps while maintaining proper form and balance.
Remember that catching the ball correctly is crucial in basketball. A missed catch can result in a turnover, and a poorly executed catch can affect your ability to shoot, dribble, or pass effectively. Always use the correct technique, with your thumbs and "pointer" fingers behind the ball and your other fingers on the side. Watch the ball until it's in your hands, and absorb the momentum by moving your hands towards your body as you catch it.
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Frequently asked questions
Always keep your eyes on the ball and be ready to receive a pass. Catch with your hands, not your body, and keep your hands open with your fingers spread comfortably to prevent jammed fingers.
One drill is to stand with your back facing a wall 1.5 to 2 metres away, throw the ball against the wall, turn, and catch it without letting it bounce. Another drill is to stand with your feet apart and throw the ball in the air, catching it between your legs. You can also practice with a football or a smaller basketball to improve your catching skills.
Avoid standing flat-footed and waiting for the ball to come to you. Keep your feet shoulder-width apart and be ready to move in any direction. Also, don't turn your back to the ball or take your eyes off it, as this can result in losing the ball or getting hit in the face.
Try the "Around the World" drill, where you move around the court's perimeter, catching passes from different angles, and shooting without hesitation. You can also do the "Quick Release" drill, where you focus on releasing your shot as soon as you receive a pass. These drills help improve your catching, shooting, and decision-making skills under pressure.
