| One of the most important skills in cricket is knowing | | | | ball which has been hit up high in the air, or catches |
| how to catch a cricket ball. Being able to catch is | | | | that are below the chest. With high, skied catches, it |
| important in being able to take wickets as a team. | | | | is important to cup the hands up high, at eye-line so |
| There are two ways in which you can catch the ball. | | | | you can watch the ball into the hand all the way. |
| These are to have the fingers pointing up or pointing | | | | Then you can give with the ball. |
| down. These alternative forms of catching depend on | | | | The other alternative form of catching the cricket ball |
| what type of catch you have to make. A common | | | | is the fingers up approach. This is where you cup |
| mistake in catching a cricket ball is snapping at it. This | | | | your hands together but the fingers are facing up |
| is called a crocodile catch which more often than not, | | | | towards the sky, instead of horizontal or towards |
| results in the person dropping the catch and end up | | | | the ground. This form of catching is used when the |
| doing damage to their hands. | | | | ball is hit reasonably flat, and above head height or |
| Two key aspects in catching the cricket ball | | | | eye-line. |
| successfully is watching the ball and to give with the | | | | Summary: |
| ball. Any good catcher of the cricket ball watches the | | | | · Cup the hands |
| ball right into the hands. Another key aspect is to | | | | · Fingers up for flat catches just above head |
| have soft hands and to 'give' with the ball. This will | | | | high or on eye-line. |
| stop the ball from bouncing out of the hands. | | | | · Fingers down or horizontal for other |
| The most common catch is the fingers down or | | | | catches. |
| horizontal catch. This is where the fieldsman 'cups' | | | | · Watch the ball all the way into the hands |
| their hands together. The term 'cup' is used as this is | | | | · Keep the hands soft when catching |
| the shape of the hands in this position. This catching | | | | 'Give' with the ball. Let the ball come into your hands. |
| method should be used when either catching a skied | | | | |