Throwing and Catching

Several recent studies have found that there has been a steady decline in Irish children’s hand eye co-ordination and movement over the past 20 years, and sadly many children today as old as nine or ten cannot throw and catch a ball!!!  In the past, children developed these skills naturally by playing outdoors with each other.  Children cannot play sport without the basic ABC’s (Agility, Balance and Co-ordination).  If a child cannot run and catch a ball, they will not be able to run and hit a ball!  Therefore, it is extremely important that they learn throwing and catching skills from as early an age as possible.  The ideal ‘window’ in sport is between ages 6 and 10.  If a child has not developed good hand eye co-ordination by the time they reach adolescence, they will find it extremely difficult to catch up and play sport later in life.

We have created a series of videos to show parents and teachers some of the basic throwing and catching games that can be played at home.  If your child can throw and catch a ball consistently, you will be giving them a great start in sport!

Throwing and Catching Games – part 1:  These games should ideally be practiced at home, one game per week for 3 minutes a day.

Bomb the Cone 1 – With two children standing opposite each other, place a CONE (or magazine) in between the children on the floor.  The children should take turns throwing under arm and try to hit the cone.  The first to get to 3 hits wins. This game teaches how to direct the ball and throw gently.  Developing soft hands is very important for sport.

Bomb the Cone 2 – With two children standing opposite each other, place a CONE (or magazine) in front of each player on the floor.  The children should throw under arm and try to hit the other player’s cone.  The first to get to 3 hits wins. This game teaches how to direct the ball and throw a further distance.

Under arm stationary / one bounce – With two children standing 2 metres apart, throw under arm with one hand in rainbow shape with one bounce, catching with two hands.  The children can move further back as they progress.  This game teaches the importance of catching at waist height.

Under arm stationary / no bounce – With two children standing 2 metres apart, throw under arm with one hand in rainbow shape with no bounce, catching with two hands.  The children can move further back as they progress.  This game teaches the child to react quickly.  It is great for volley and playing at the net.

Throwing and Catching Games – part 2:  Only progress to moving while throwing and catching once the children can do the part 1 exercises well.

Under arm moving / one bounce – With two children standing 2 metres apart, throw under arm with one hand in rainbow shape with one bounce, catching with two hands.  The children should face each other and move sideways in pairs as they throw and catch.  The children can move further back as they progress.

Under arm moving / no bounce – With two children standing 2 metres apart, throw under arm with one hand in rainbow shape with no bounce, catching with two hands.  The children should face each other and move sideways in pairs as they throw and catch.  The children can move further back as they progress.

Down stationary / one bounce – With two children standing 2 metres apart, throw the ball downward with one hand with one bounce, catching with two hands.  This throw is similar to a serve in tennis.  The children can move further back as they progress.

Down moving / one bounce – With two children standing 2 metres apart, throw the ball downward with one hand with one bounce, catching with two hands.  The children should face each other and move sideways in pairs as they throw and catch.  This throw is similar to a serve in tennis.  The children can move further back as they progress.

Off the cliff – This game is similar to the very popular game of BAULE played in France and Spain; children love this game.  Each child takes a turn rolling their ball a distance toward a line.  The aim is to get their ball closest to the line without going over.