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Age-appropriate off-ice coordination / Off ice

Soft-ball toss and catch

Make a short self-toss, watch the ball through its flight, and catch it with two hands without chasing it.

6U · 8U · 10U · 12UBeginner5 minutes1–1 players
Original drill diagram
Soft-ball toss and catch: player positions and movement 1
Sequence sketch, not an overhead skating route: 1 stays in place. The dot marks the top of a short self-toss; the arrows show the same ball rising and returning to the hands. Only one ball is used. Start near waist height and toss to about chest height as described in the steps; the sketch does not set body proportions. Original schematic; not to scale. Circles with numbers or letters mark players. Other markers and arrows are explained in the caption; some diagrams show puck or ball movement instead of skating. Red arrows show shots. Follow the written setup for spacing.

How to run it

Equipment: Soft ball

  1. Use one child and one soft ball, held in two hands near the waist. Stand with feet comfortably apart in an open floor area. No partner, stick or extra equipment is needed for this version.
  2. Lift both hands together and release a small upward toss that rises only to about chest height. Keep it in front of the body rather than throwing it toward the ceiling or away across the room.
  3. Watch the ball rise and fall. Place both hands under its path, catch it, and let the elbows bend as the hands lower a little with the ball. Hold the catch for a count of one before the next toss.
  4. Make five attempts, then rest and count catches made without moving the feet. If the ball is dropped, pick it up and restart from the same stance; drops simply help choose an easier toss.
  5. Use five minutes for demonstration, short sets and breaks. After two sets with five stationary catches, change only one thing: a slightly higher toss or the harder variation, not both at once.

Key teaching points

  • Cue: “Up, watch, catch.” Keep the eyes on the ball until it is held again.
  • Cue: “Give with the ball.” Let the hands lower slightly on contact instead of stopping the ball with stiff arms.
  • A good toss comes back to the waiting hands. Adjust the toss before asking the child to catch a ball that repeatedly drifts away.

Common mistakes

  • Ball travels forward and the child chases it. Try: start with a smaller release from both hands and aim straight upward.
  • Ball bounces out of stiff hands. Try: lower the toss and let the elbows bend as it reaches the hands.
  • Child begins another toss before finishing the catch. Try: say “hold” for one count after each catch to separate the actions.

Make it fit the player

  • Easier for 6U/8U: use a larger soft ball that fits comfortably in both hands and toss it only a few inches above the release point.
  • Harder for ready 10U/12U: clap once during a familiar short toss, then return both hands to the catch. Keep the original toss height; remove the clap if it causes repeated chasing.
Research context & source notes

Background sources for this drill’s skills and teaching principles.

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More age-appropriate off-ice coordination drills · Development guides