How to Catch a Football

Practicing Good Catching Form

Keep your eyes on the football. You want to be watching the football the entire time it's in the air. Pick a spot on the football - the white strip or the tip of the ball - and lock your eyes on that spot until the ball is in your hands.

Use your fingers to catch the football, not your palms. Your fingers should be the first thing to come into contact with the ball. Make sure they're slightly bent and ready to grab onto the ball when it comes your way. If you're hearing a loud thud noise every time you catch the ball, you might be catching with your palms and not your fingers.

Catch the football with soft hands. Soft hands are when your fingers and wrists are flexible and slightly relaxed. You want your hands to give a little bit when they come into contact with the ball. Catching with stiff, hard hands makes it more likely that the ball will bounce off you when you try to catch it.

Keep your arms extended away from your body. Whether you're catching a regular pass (above the waist) or a low pass (below the waist), you want your arms to be slightly bent and extended outward. Extending your arms will give them room to respond to the impact when you catch the ball.

Catching an Accurate or High Pass

Raise your hands so they're in line with where the football is heading. You want to track which direction the football is heading in so you can get your hands in the right spot to catch it. For example, if you're running for the football and it's on your left, raise your arms up and extend them out to the left.

Reach high for the football if it's a high pass. Stretch both of your arms up above your head so you're ready to catch the ball when it passes over you. You can also jump into the air with your arms stretched upward to help you reach the ball.

Make a diamond shape with your hands. Spread your fingers apart on both hands so they're completely stretched out. With your palms facing outward, touch the tips of your two pointer fingers together and the tips of your thumbs together. This will create a diamond shape between your two hands.

Catch the tip of the football in the diamond shape when it reaches your hands. The tip of the football should go through the diamond and then stop once the center of the ball comes into contact with your hands.

Squeeze your fingers around the outside of the football. The tips of your fingers should be firmly gripped on the football so it's secure in your hands.

Use both hands to tuck the ball between your biceps and your chest. Hold the ball against your biceps and chest using the hand on that side of the body. Let go of the football with your other hand. Now run with the football before someone tackles you.

Receiving a Low Pass

Lower your hands so they're ready to receive the low pass. Line them up with the trajectory of the football. For example, if you see the football flying through the air at around the same level as your hips, move your hands down toward your hips so they're prepared to catch the ball.

Turn your hands so your fingers are pointing down at the ground. The palms of your hands should be facing out toward the ball. Keep your fingers stretched apart.

Cross your pinky fingers so they form an “x” shape. Make sure your pinky fingers are firmly pressed together so the football doesn't slide through your hands when you catch it. Practice positioning your hands like this when you're not playing football so it comes naturally when you're on the field.

Catch the tip of the football in the open space above your crossed pinky fingers. The tip of the football should go through the gap and then stop once the rest of the ball meets your hands.

Squeeze your other fingers around the football to secure your catch. Bring the tips of your thumbs up and around the outside of the football and clamp them down on the ball. Wrap the rest of your fingers around the bottom of the ball.

Lift the ball up and tuck it between your chest and biceps. Hold the ball in place using the hand on that side of your body. Let go of the ball with your other hand and start running to the end zone. Tom Brady Tom Brady, Professional Football Player Once you've developed your football skills, focus on improving your mental game. "Every quarterback can throw a ball, every running back can run, every receiver is fast, but mental toughness is what translates into competitiveness."