Catch the Football Every Time: 18 Drills That Make It Easy
With that in mind, here are 18 wide receiver catching drills you can easily do every day in your backyard, basement or at school.
Football Catching Drills
Clockwork
Purpose: Catch the ball outside your body in a variety of positions.
How To:
- Stand facing your partner.
- Have your partner throw the ball at all hands of the clock in a clockwise direction. Your partner should aim to throw the ball so your arms are fully extended when you catch it.
- To advance the drill, turn your back to your partner and wait for his command to turn around.
- Sets/Reps: 1 set clockwise, 1 set counterclockwise. If there are any trouble areas, be sure to add extra reps to that area.
Side Clockwork
Purpose: Catch ball outside the body in a turned position.
How To:
- Stand with your back to your partner and look back at him.
- Have your partner throw the ball from 12 o’clock to 6 o’clock. He or she should aim to throw the ball so your arms are fully extended when you catch it.
- To advance the drill, do not look back until your partner’s command.
- Sets/Reps: 1 set clockwise looking both left and right, 1 set counterclockwise looking both left and right. If there are any trouble areas, be sure to add extra reps to that area.
Around the World
Purpose: Catch the ball in awkward positions.
How To:
- Lie on your back. Have your partner circle around you, throwing the ball every other step.
- To advance the drill, lie on your stomach and flip around on trainer’s command.
- Sets/Reps: 1 set clockwise, 1 set counterclockwise. If there are any trouble areas, be sure to add extra reps to that area.
Hand Flips
Purpose: Enhance hand speed and reaction.
How To:
- Spread your legs. Hold the ball with your right arm in front of your right leg and your left arm behind your left leg.
- As fast as possible, flip your right arm behind your right leg and your left arm in front of your left leg, catching the ball before it hits the ground.
- To advance the drill, close one eye.
- Sets/Reps: 2×10
Hand Circles
Purpose: Enhance grip strength, hand speed and ball control.
How To:
- Hold the ball directly in front of you.
- Let go of the ball and do a complete circle with your hand around the ball.
- Grab the top of the ball before it hits the ground.
- To advance the drill, close one eye.
- Sets/Reps: 10 clockwise and 10 counterclockwise, each hand.
Half Turns
Purpose: Enhance reaction and body awareness when the ball is in the air.
How To:
- Turn your back to your partner and look to your left.
- Wait until your partner releases the ball and snap your head to your right.
- Your partner should throw the ball just outside your right shoulder.
- Repeat other side.
- To advance the drill, catch the ball with one hand.
- Sets/Reps: 2×10 reps, each side.
Grip Taps
Purpose: Enhance grip strength, ensuring you come down with the big catch
How To:
- Get on your knees holding the ball above your head.
- Your partner taps, rips, and punches the ball. Hold tight.
- Sets/Reps: 2×30 seconds.
Distraction
Purpose: Enhance focus on the ball in the air.
How To:
- Turn to the side with your partner next to you.
- Have someone throw the ball in front on you.
- Your partner distracts you from catching the ball any way he can, without touching the ball.
- Repeat, facing other side.
- To advance the drill, close one eye.
- Sets/Reps: 2×10 each side.
RELATED: Improve Football Catching With Hand Strengthening Exercises
Wall Bounce
Purpose: Enhance reaction and fast hands.
How To:
- Face a wall and turn your back to your partner.
- Your partner throws the ball against the wall.
- Catch the ball as it bounces off the wall.
- Can also be done with a tennis ball.
- To advance the drill, catch the ball with one hand.
- Sets/Reps: 2×10.
Criss Cross
Purpose: Enhance hand-eye coordination.
How To:
- Cross your hands with your right arm over your left arm.
- Your partner throws the ball directly in front of you.
- Repeat with your left arm over your right arm.
- Sets/Reps: 2×10, each arm on top.
Ball Balance
Purpose: To enhance focus and hand balance.
How To:
- Balance the tip of the ball on your index finger.
- Repeat with your other hand.
- To advance the drill, try the other fingers.
- Sets/Reps: 2×30 seconds, each hand.
Ball Bounce
Purpose: Enhance soft hands and timing.
How To:
- Hold a ball in each hand.
- Have your partner throw the ball to you.
- Catch the ball making as little noise as possible.
- To simplify the drill, only hold one ball.
- Sets/Reps: 2×10
Juggle
Purpose: Enhance hand-eye coordination.
How To:
- Toss and catch 3 balls keeping them in constant motion.
- To advance the drill, add another ball.
- To simplify the drill, use only two balls.
- Sets/Reps: 2×30 seconds.
Roll Backs
Purpose: Enhance ball stability and grip strength.
How To:
- Hold the ball directly in front of you.
- Roll the ball to the back of your hand, then roll it back to the original position.
- Repeat with other hand.
- Sets/Reps: 2×10 each hand.
Ball Squeeze
Purpose: Enhance grip strength.
How To:
- Hold the ball in front of you.
- Squeeze the ball as hard as you can, attempting to pop the ball.
- Sets/Reps: 2×30 seconds.
Back Claps
Purpose: Enhance hand speed and reaction.
How To:
- Hold the ball in front of you.
- Release the ball.
- Clap your hands behind your back as fast as possible, then catch the ball before it hits the ground.
- To advance the drill, catch the ball with one hand.
- Sets/Reps: 2×10
Back Drops
Purpose: Enhance proprioception and timing.
How To:
- Hold ball behind your back over your head.
- Release ball. Moving your hands as fast as possible, catch ball behind your back.
- Sets/Reps: 2×10
Ball Push-Ups
Purpose: Improve upper-body strength and stability.
How To:
- Get in push-up position with hands slightly wider than shoulder-width and a flat back.
- Holding onto a football in each hand, slowly lower chest to ground.
- Rise up.
- Exercise can also be done without football on fingertips.
- To advance the drill, slow down the movement to 5 seconds down and 5 seconds up.
- Sets/Reps: 2×20
