Wide Receivers – Work to catch the ball with your hands only

As a wide receiver, you know you’re supposed to catch the ball with your hands, not catch it against your body. Now, during a game, the only important thing is to catch the ball any way you can. You can catch it against your body or even against your helmet. Who could forget that incredible catch by David Tyree, catching the ball off the back of his helmet, to extend the game-winning touchdown run in the final game in the Super Bowl? But in practice, you always try to catch it with your hands.

One drill is simple, but it will work on hand-eye coordination and help you catch the ball with only your hands at the highest point. Lie on your back and gently toss a ball up. When the ball comes back towards you, reach over and catch it. So always look for the ball to put. Then just repeat.

Now I know this is a simple exercise, but if you continue to do it every night, your hand-eye coordination will improve, not to mention your hand strength and muscle memory in placing your hands at the proper distance to catch. There are always variations that can be used. Try to start your throw with your eyes closed and then open them to increase your reaction time. Try to catch the ball with one hand, alternating between throws.

This simple but effective drill will help any wide receiver catch the ball with his hands and improve his game.