Airtight catchers

If your high-ball receivers can get off the ground to catch the ball, they are protected from being smashed backwards by the opposition chasers. Help them develop the skills and timing with this session.

Establishes confidence in an open and closed environment while demonstrating the correct technical approach to challenge for the aerial ball and if necessary jump to catch.

Closed environment:

In groups of three, the ball is kicked high to a receiver 15m away. One kicks, one receives, one waits.

Open environment:

Extend the distance and height of kick: One kicks, one chases and one receives. The chaser causes a distraction, but no contact is to be made.

The catcher comes forward, forms a “cradle” with his arms (elbows in), jumps towards the ball and gathers it in to their chest.

Encourage a “T” shape with the body and “cradle” with the hands when making the catch.

They form a “T shape” to take the catch. Their chest is facing sideways, with their lead hand towards the ball. If they cannot make a clean catch, the ball will go backwards.

Playing 2v2, expand the distance for the aerial kick with receivers behind the 22m line. The receiver is defined by where the kick is directed and the chaser is encouraged to challenge for the ball. The two receivers must communicate who is challenging to receive and who is supporting.

TECHNIQUE

• “T” shape and “cradle”.
• “Cradle” encourages safe pouching of the ball. 
• “T” shape encourages a body shape that spills the ball backwards and not forward.