Catching a Football
- 1). Run a pass pattern from the person who is throwing the football. Get yourself into an open position.
- 2). Look back when you are ready to receive the ball, but keep running, unless the play calls for you stop and look back at the quarterback, as in a button-hook pattern. Be aware of where you are in relation to the other players and the end zone but never lose sight of the ball as it's in flight.
- 3). Hold your left arm as if you are cradling a baby on your shoulder if you are catching the ball after it passes your right side. Hold your other arm so that with your palm facing down, as if it were over the belly of the baby.
- 4). Catch the ball away from your body to help make sure it doesn't bounce off your body. Make a triangle with your hands and aim to catch the ball with the triangle.
- 5). Catch the ball so that the end can quickly rests softy at the inside of your elbow. Lock the ball into position from above with your opposite hand, or the upper portion of the triangle.
- 6). Hold the ball tight to your body. Cradle it at your ribs and lock it tight so that you don't fumble the ball.
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