Catch through contact and tuck

Setup

1. Contact level: bags. The shields pad the shoulder and swipe at the ball; nobody tackles.
2. Helmets and shoulder pads on. The coach throws every ball and watches every rep.
3. Receivers line up at a cone on one side. Two shield holders stand 5 yards apart along the crossing line, on the downfield side.
4. The coach stands 15 yards away with the balls.

How it runs

1. The receiver jogs, then runs a crossing route at three-quarter speed in front of the shields.
2. The coach throws to the receiver as they reach the first shield, which pads the receiver's shoulder at the catch.
3. The receiver tucks the ball into the arm away from the second shield, which punches at the ball.
4. The receiver turns upfield for 5 yards, then jogs back to the line. Swap the shield holders after five reps.

Coaching points

• Eyes on the ball all the way into the hands; ignore the shield.
• Catch with the hands away from the body, thumbs together for a ball above the chest.
• Squeeze and tuck at once: point of the ball up, elbow tight, forearm over it.
• Carry it in the arm away from the nearest defender.
• Shield holders hit the shoulder and the ball only, never the head or the knees.

Common mistakes

• Looking at the shield before the catch and dropping the ball.
• Letting the ball into the chest, so it bounces off the pads.
• Turning upfield before the catch is secure.
• Carrying the ball loose, away from the body, on the turn.