American football · Catching

Catching with the diamond and pocket

Partners build soft hands: a diamond for high balls, pinkies together for low ones and a pocket over the shoulder.

QBXCOZ
Start / 7
Time
12 min
Players
2–20
Age
U8+
Area
30 × 20 yd
Equipment
6 footballs (junior size)8 cones

Setup

  1. Pairs stand 6–8 yards apart, one ball per pair. A coach can throw for younger players.
  2. Leave 10 yards between pairs so nobody runs into another pair.

How it runs

  1. High balls: 10 soft throws at chest to head height, caught with the diamond.
  2. Low balls: 10 throws below the waist, caught with pinkies together.
  3. Over the shoulder: the catcher jogs away and the partner lofts it in front. Catch it in the pocket.
  4. After every catch, tuck the ball high and tight before throwing it back.
  5. Swap roles after each set.

Coaching points

  • Above the waist: thumbs and index fingers touch to make a diamond, then look the ball through it.
  • Below the waist: pinkies together, palms up, scoop it in.
  • Over the shoulder: pinkies together, palms up, arms reach out late.
  • Catch with the fingers away from the body, not against the chest.
  • Eyes on the ball all the way to the hands, then tuck it.

Common mistakes

  • Trapping the ball against the chest instead of catching with the hands.
  • Thumbs apart on a high ball, so it goes straight through the hands.
  • Looking upfield before the catch is secure.
  • Stiff arms and hands that make the ball bounce off.

Say it: “Diamond high, pinkies low, look it in.”

Make it harder

  • Move to 10–12 yards and throw harder.
  • Call out the colour or number the coach shows just after each catch.
  • Catch one-handed for a few reps, then go back to two hands.

Make it easier

  • Use a softer, smaller ball.
  • Coach throws by hand from 5 yards.
  • Catch from a still position before adding the jog.

Pairs well with

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.