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Increase Catching Area (Close catches)

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Opposite Side and Dip Drill Put your right hand behind your back and ask your coach to feed underarm balls into that side of your body aiming between your hip and your shoulder initially. The aim is to catch the ball with your left hand by dipping your left shoulder, turning your hips slightly and twisting so that your left hand faces the oncoming ball. The more your dip, the more catching your hand will have to take the ball. Catch 5 on the right side with your left hand and the 5 on your left with your right hand. Repeat this 3 times and note both your catching ratio/% and the comfort level as your body starts to process the movement. Increase the pace gradually as competence rises. Introduce your other hand This time, catch the ball with both hands, yet maintain the process of dipping and twisting the hips. Note how big your catching area feels as both your outside hand (the one that you have been training) and the hand nearest the body are now pointing at the ball for ...
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Catching ladder (Close Catches)

Purpose : To practice slip catching concentration under a pressure situation. And to have a fun game. Description : The coach hits the ball out randomly to players in the line for close catches. Any fielder who drops the catch moves to the bottom of the ‘ladder’ (as shown on the left), everyone else moves up a place.
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Double slip cordon (Close catches)

Purpose : To practice close catching continuously. Description : Players from two slip cordons around 10m from the coach (c). The coach then hits alternately to each group with either a pull or cut shot. Players return the ball after catching it to make it easy for the coach to hit.
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Close catching relay game

Purpose : To practice close catching technique under pressure. Description : This is a competitive game between two or more teams of any number of players. Player 1 is the feeder and throws the ball to each player in his team for a close catch. Once each player has caught the ball and returned it cleanly, player 1 runs to the position of player 2. All the other players move along one place so player 4 is now the feeder. If a player drops the ball the catch must be thrown to him again until he catches it. The first team to complete a round and return to their original positions are the winners.
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Catching competition (Close Catches)

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Purpose : A warm up routine that gets the hands and eyes ready for more advanced close catching drills. It also allows a coach to make changes to technique where needed.   Description :  Players stand in pairs opposite each other as shown in the diagram below. The ball is thrown underarm to each other at knee level. The pair that completes the most catches in a set time (usually a minute) is the winner. Variations : Take away the competitive element and make the catching harder (lower catches or dives).
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Slip catching nicks (Close Catches)

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Purpose : A realistic way to practice slip catching for the whole cordon. This drill requires a well practiced coach to make it worthwhile. Description : The feeder throws the ball hard so it reaches the coach at chest height, wide to the off side. The coach deflect cuts the ball with a bat into the slip cordon for catches. The slips return the ball to the feeder. Safety note : This is an advanced drill where the ball is travelling very quickly. It’s vital players are ready before the ball is throw. The coach should also wear batting gloves. Variations : Underarm throws can be used to simulate slip catches. A left handed coach can help slip catching to left handers. 
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High Catch Warm-Up

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Purpose : To practice high catches in a pre-game/training warm up situation Description : There are 2 balls in the game, starting in opposite corners. At the same time, fielders lob the ball up into space for a fielder to run and catch the ball about halfway. Having caught the ball, the players throw a catch into the other gap between fielders and move on to the next corner. These balls are caught by fielders running in. Continue the practice as long as you like, pausing if a ball is dropped. Variations : The drill can be performed with players running the other way.
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