Page 17 - Jim Stone Book Beginner

Catching

Catching uses the hands to stop and control a moving object. Catching is more challenging to
learn than throwing because children must track the object while moving into its path. Children
usually develop mature throwing patterns before they display mature catching patterns. Catching is
also hard to master due to the fear of being hurt by the oncoming object. When teaching the early
stages of catching, use foam balls or beach balls because they move slowly, make tracking more
manageable, and not hurt if they hit a child in the face.

1. It is natural to dodge an object that may cause harm. Remove the fear factor by using projectiles
that will not hurt children, such as foam balls.

2. Use smaller projectiles as students improve their catching skills. Larger objects move more slowly
and are easier to track visually.
3. Prepare students for a catch by asking them to focus on the ball while it is in the thrower's hand.
Use verbal cues such as "Look (focus), ready (for the throw), catch (toss the ball)."

4. Balls and background colors should strongly contrast to increase visual perception.

5. Throwing the projectile at a greater height offers the child more opportunity to track it
successfully. Beach balls move slowly throughout a high trajectory, giving children time to focus
and move into the path of the oncoming object.
10
6. Bounce objects off the floor, so children learn to judge the rebound angle of a projectile.