Ball Catch and Throw

How to do it

You need: A soft, lightweight ball about the size of a football.

Find a clear space indoors or outside, away from furniture with sharp edges. Start standing about one to two big steps apart, facing your child.

1. Roll the ball along the floor to your child and ask them to trap it with both hands.
2. Ask your child to roll it back to you.
3. Move on to a gentle underarm throw, aiming for your child's chest so it is easy to catch.
4. Ask your child to throw it back to you using both hands.
5. As catching gets easier, step a little further apart, use a smaller ball, or add one bounce.

Form cues

• Your child watches the ball all the way into their hands.
• Hands come together to make a basket ready for the catch.
• Throws come from both hands at about chest height, roughly towards you.

Common mistakes

• Throwing hard or high so the ball is difficult to track and catch.
• Standing too far apart at the start, so most throws are missed and it stops being fun.
• Using a heavy or firm ball that could sting little hands.

Safety: Stop and message your child's physio if your child has increasing pain, a limp that does not settle, or is much more tired or unsettled than usual.