Key Points
- Head down, eyes on the ball.
- As the ball approaches, get behind the ball, bending the back and knees.
- Extend the arms low with the elbows close together and the fingers pointing to the ground.
- Step forward placing one foot alongside the ball.
- Spread the fingers of both hands to create a ‘W’ shape and cushion the ball into the hands.
- Hold the ball securely with both hands and bring into the chest.
Practice the Technique
Drill 1 - Basic - Throw and Low Catch
- Divide the group into pairs, with one football per pair.
- The players stand approximately 3 metres apart.
- The player with the ball throws the ball to bounce before their partner to low catch, who repeats the drill.
- Move the players further apart as their technique improves.
- Count the number of successful catches in 30 seconds.
Drill 2 - Basic - Islands
- Divide the players into groups of 3, each group in triangle formation approximately 3 metres apart.
- Ensure each group has adequate space to perform the technique.
- Player A throws the ball low towards the feet of player B.
- Player B then repeats the drill with Player C and so on around the triangle.
- After a set time, change the direction of the drill.
Drill 3 - Intermediate - Move and Catch
- Divide the players into groups of 8, with one ball per group
- Mark out a distance of approximately 8 to 10 metres using cones.
- Place a marker half way between the outer cones.
- FourPlayers line up at either cone.
- The player in possession throws the ball underarm for the player opposite.
- This opposite player runs forward and catches the ball at the halfway marker and then runs on and hands the ball to the next player to repeat the drill.
- Each player follows on to line up at the back of the opposite line.
Develop the Technique
Fun Game 1 – Low Catch 3 V’s 1
- Mark out a grid 5m by 5m using cones.
- Position one player at each of 3 corners of the grid.
- Position a further player in the middle of the grid.
- The outside players must throw the ball along the lengths of the grid to keep possession.
- The ball may only be thrown and caught at a cone and it must be caught using the Low Catch technique.
- The middle player attempts to intercept the ball.
- If the ball is dropped or intercepted, the outside player responsible moves to take up position as the ‘piggy in the middle’
- Change the middle player after a set time.






