Ground
to knee height balls
Level
balls:
Use the
inside of the foot below the ankle bone to stop the ball, then withdraw
the foot, absorbing the force off of the ball or redirecting it as necessary.
Keep focus on the ball, don't wedge trap ground balls as this doesn't
allow for repositioning. Cushion the ball (soft feet) for better control.
Descending
and rising balls:
Smother
the ball at the moment it strikes the ground, position the toe up forming
a wedge, pre-position the foot in the path of the ball's flight. The
ball can also be caught and cushioned with the instep. Don't position
the foot to high as this will allow the ball to bounce under the foot.
Thigh-height
balls
Level
and descending balls:
Use the
middle portion of the thigh, withdraw the thigh as the ball strikes
it so that the ball bounces slightly up and forward, landing in a ready
position. Keep ball in front of the player and not to the side. Cushion
ball well so that the ball does not bounce to far away from the player.
Level
and rising balls:
Turn the
leg out 90 degrees and use the soft fleshy surface to absorb the shock
of the ball.
Chest
height balls
Level
balls:
Using the
middle of the chest, expand the chest and draw the shoulders forward
before the ball strikes. Exhale and collapse the chest at impact to
cushion and catch the ball. Make sure the ball stikes the center of
the chest so that it doesn't bounce of to the left or the right. Make
sure the ball does not stike to high and hit the player in the throat
or face.
Rising
balls:
Bend forward
and deflect the ball down with the lower chest or abdomen. Keep the
ball center for better control.
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