catching skills
Therapy Techniques to Develop a Child's Catching Skills
Catching skills are developed through graded, predictable practice — starting with slow, large, high-contrast objects and scaffolding the ready position, then systematically reducing speed and unpredictability while building postural stability, bilateral coordination and visual-motor timing. A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care.
Catching is one of childhood's great negotiations between eye, hand and timing — and with the right scaffolding, almost every child can be taught to meet the ball.
In short
Catching skills are built through graded, predictable practice that trains visual tracking, anticipatory hand positioning and timed grasp, starting with large, slow, high-contrast objects and progressing to smaller, faster ones. The core therapeutic levers are reducing the speed and unpredictability of the incoming object, scaffolding the ready position, and giving immediate success-rich repetition. Catching draws on bilateral coordination, postural stability and visual-motor integration, so techniques target these underlying components rather than the catch alone.The techniques that help
- Grade the object before the skill — begin with a slow-moving, lightweight, high-contrast target (scarf, balloon, large soft ball) that allows long visual tracking time, then progress to beanbags, mid-size balls and finally smaller/faster ones.
- Scaffold the ready position — cue and physically prompt elbows bent, hands open and forward, eyes on the object. Trapping against the chest precedes hand-only catches.
- Reduce variables systematically — control distance, trajectory, speed and predictability one at a time. A self-toss or a roll catch is the entry point; bounce passes give a predictable arc before direct throws.
- Build the substrate — target postural/core stability, midline crossing, bilateral coordination and proximal-to-distal control, since unstable trunks defeat distal timing.
- Use visual-motor and anticipation drills — tracking games, popping bubbles, and verbal/visual rhythm cues ('ready… catch') to develop anticipatory timing.
- Maximise success and motivation — high repetition, errorless early trials and play-based framing keep arousal optimal and engagement high.
When to refer
Refer for paediatric or OT/physiotherapy review where catching difficulty sits within broader motor delay, hypotonia, coordination concern (possible DCD), or visual concerns affecting tracking.The Pinnacle way
A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care — never from an app or form. Our therapists profile the underlying motor and visual-motor components before shaping a graded plan; explore catching skills, our occupational therapy support, and how the AbilityScore® is calculated.Trusted sources
WHO ICF (d4, Mobility — moving and handling objects); American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org) gross-motor milestone guidance; ASHA and EACD perspectives on motor-coordination development.Next step — Want a graded motor plan built around your client's profile? Partner with a Pinnacle clinician.
This is general information, not a diagnosis — a clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care.
What to watch
Watch for catching difficulty alongside broader motor delay, low tone, poor postural control, weak midline crossing, or visual tracking concerns — these warrant OT/physiotherapy or paediatric review.
Try this at home
Start with a slow scarf or balloon at close range and cue 'ready… catch' with hands open and forward — let the child trap against the chest before progressing to hand-only catches.
Trusted sources
Developed by SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network · Last reviewed 2026-06-10 · reviewed every 540 days
This is general information, not a diagnosis. A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care.
Frequently asked
What is the best object to start catching practice with?
Begin with a slow-moving, lightweight, high-contrast object such as a scarf or balloon that gives the child long visual tracking time, then grade up to beanbags, mid-size balls and finally smaller, faster ones.
Why does catching depend on more than the hands?
Catching requires postural stability, bilateral coordination, midline crossing and visual-motor integration. An unstable trunk or weak anticipatory timing defeats distal grasp, so techniques target these underlying components too.
When should catching difficulty be referred for assessment?
Refer when catching difficulty sits within broader motor delay, hypotonia, possible developmental coordination disorder, or visual concerns affecting tracking, for OT, physiotherapy or paediatric review.