Cradle the Catch (Bean Bag)
Teach soft catching hands: hands out, watch, catch, cradle to the body.
Your job today
Hands out, watch the ball all the way, catch it, then cradle it into your body like you’re catching an egg.
What good looks like: Soft hands — the ball doesn’t bounce out. Fingers up for high catches, fingers down for low ones.
Why it matters: Catching soft means the ball stays in your hands. That’s the whole game on defense — catch it, then make the play.
How it works
6U catching introduction from Baseball BC. Players learn 'Ready – Watch – Catch – Cradle': hands out and together (fingers up for high, down for low, palms out), eyes on the ball, close the hands, then cradle (cushion) the ball toward the body. Start with a self-toss bean bag, then a partner underhand toss.
- Reps / rounds
- 5 min self-toss, 5 min partner toss
- Rest between sets
- 0s
- Space needed
- 15x15ft
- Coaches
- 1-4
Equipment
- bean bags
- wiffle balls
If you don't have it
- No bean_bags? Use rolled socks (moves to Living room).
Setup
- Each player gets a bean bag
- Pair up for the second half
Run the drill
- Self-toss the bean bag and catch with both hands
- Cradle it toward the body
- Progress to a partner underhand toss above and below the waist
Coaching cues
- Hands out and together
- Fingers up high, fingers down low
- Cradle — give with the catch
Common mistakes
- Hands apart (basket too wide)
- Catching with stiff arms
- Looking away at the last second
Scoring
Track % clean catches (percent). On-track when at or above 70.
Adjust it
Make it easier
- easier: hand the bean bag to the player, no toss
Make it harder
- intro: self-toss bean bag
- intermediate: partner underhand toss
- advanced: switch to a wiffle ball
Variations
- High/low call: Coach calls 'high' or 'low' before the toss
Safety
- STOP_ON_PAIN: Distinguish acceptable muscle soreness from joint pain or severe muscle ache. Any pain, pop, or possible injury must be reported to a parent, coach, or trusted adult, and the activity stopped immediately. Any sign of illness or injury must be evaluated before returning.
Source
Author: platform · Status: Reviewed · Last reviewed 2026-06-03