Catching

Introduction

CATCHING

Catching is a basic fielding skill and is one of the most important aspects of cricket. In a match, you'll need to field overhead, chest-level, and ground balls, so work on mastering a range of catching grips and fielding techniques. Additionally, catching a cricket ball demands excellent hand-eye coordination, so do practice drills regularly to improve your abilities.

Task

DO NOT WRITE THIS INFORMATION

At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

Cognitive:

1. Name the types of catches

2. Explain the position of the hands when doing the high catch

Psychomotor:

1. Accurately demonstrate the low catch at least five out of ten times

2. Accurately demonstrate the high catch at least five out of ten times

Affective:

1. Show appreciation for learning the types of catching done in cricket.

Process

Task one: Write these notes in your books and view the pictures. You don't have to draw the pictures.

LOW CATCH

Keep your starting position low and balanced. Stand with your feet just wider than shoulder-distance apart and your knees bent. Keep your weight on the balls of your feet, and distribute your weight evenly on each foot. Be prepared to spring in any direction to reach a batted ball.
- Starting with a good stance will ensure you're set to react to the ball.
- Remember to keep your eyes on the ball at all times.
Hold your hands so your palms face up and your pinkies touch. The orthodox cup is the basic catching grip used to catch balls at or below chest height. Position your hands so they make a broad cup or bucket shape with your pinky fingers touching. Your palms should face up and out, and your fingers and thumbs should be extended.
- Use your hands to create the largest possible surface area to catch the ball.
- Keep your hands relaxed and soft, as the ball is more likely to bounce off of stiff hands.
Bring your hands toward your body as you catch the ball. Cup your hands as the ball approaches and hold them out to meet the ball. Try to keep your hands relatively close to your body as you catch the ball instead of fully extending your arms. As the ball makes contact with your hands, draw your hands toward your torso to absorb the impact and control the ball.
- Keeping your hands relatively close to your body will help you avoid dropping the ball. Additionally, you're more likely to suffer an injury if you try to catch a high-speed ball with outstretched arms.
Modify your grip slightly for side catches. To catch a ball speeding toward your side, hold your hands in the orthodox grip and line them up on the side where the ball's approaching. Bend your torso toward the ball and position your hands sideways, so one thumb points up and the other points down.
- For example, if a ball is heading toward your right side, bring your left arm across your chest, and cup your hands on your right side so they line up with the ball.
- Your fingers should be spread out and point toward your right side, your thumbs should point up and down, and your palms should face up and out so they're ready to receive the ball.
- As you catch the ball from the side, remember to bring your hands into your torso to absorb the impact and maintain control.

TASK TWO: Write these notes in your books. You don't have to draw the pictures

HIGH CATCH

Hold your hands together with your palms face away from you body. To make a reverse cup, interlock your thumbs and index fingers so your hands form a web. As a high ball approaches, raise your hands and position them in a reverse cup. Try to catch the ball as close to eye level as possible.
- Remember to keep your hands relaxed when they're cupped. The ball will bounce off if they're stiff.
- A reverse cup is the best way to make a high catch, but there will be some instances where you'll have to use an orthodox cup. For example, if you have to make a high catch on the run, you might not have time to get set in the reverse cup position.
Align yourself with the approaching ball and stand with your knees bent. Keep your eyes on the approaching ball, call out your name or say “I got it,” and align yourself under ball. Make the reverse cup, and stand with your knees slightly bent to absorb the impact of the ball.
- Calling out as you approach the ball helps avoid confusion on the field. You wouldn't want to bump into another fielder and drop the ball.
Draw your hands toward a shoulder as you catch the ball. Try to catch the ball around eye level, then bring your hands toward your torso on your left or right side. It's important to direct the ball toward your body over a shoulder instead of into your face. If your face is in the path of the speeding ball, you might end up with a broken nose or other facial injury.
- The ball's momentum might take it toward either your right or left side but, if possible, draw it in on your dominant side. That way, you'll be set to make a throw with your dominant hand.
- Be sure to draw the ball and your hands into your body in order to maintain control. Don't stretch your arms out, drop your hands, or bend over as you catch.
Use the orthodox grip if you're on the run to catch a high ball. You can use the standard catching technique to catch high balls, especially when you don't have time to set up a reverse cup. Run toward the ball, position yourself under it, and align your hands with it. Position your hands in an orthodox cup with your pinkies touching, and do your best to catch the ball at or around eye level.
- The lower you catch the ball, the more likely you are to drop it.
- As you catch the ball, remember to watch it all the way in, and draw it toward your body to maintain control.
Deliver an overarm throw after catching the ball. After making a high catch, turn your body so you stand sideways toward the target. Point your non-dominant shoulder and leg in the direction you're throwing, and shift your weight to your back foot. Pull your throwing arm back behind your head, then swing it forward as you shift your weight to your front foot.