Catch It on the Racket
In pairs, one partner tosses a soft ball and the other catches it on the racket face, absorbing the impact so the ball doesn't bounce off or drop. Students develop ball tracking, fine control of the racket, and the feel of giving with the ball.
How to play
- In pairs, each with a mini racket and one soft ball per pair; partners face each other about 10 ft apart, each standing in a hoop (2 min).
- Solo: each student tosses the ball to face height and catches it on the racket by lowering the arm to slow it down; 10 tries, then switch (3 min).
- With a partner: the tosser sends the ball underhand and the receiver catches it on the racket without a bounce; if it stays on, they toss it back by hand (3 min).
- Catch and soft hit: the receiver absorbs the ball, taps it up once, and sends it with a gentle stroke to the partner's hoop (3 min).
- Pair challenge: count clean catches in 1 minute and repeat twice, trying to improve (2 min).
- Switch partners and repeat the challenge with someone new (2 min).
Rules
- A catch counts if the ball stays still on the racket without touching the body.
- Always toss underhand and make it catchable for your partner.
- Safety: never toss at someone's face, and keep your distance from other pairs.
- If the ball gets away, whoever is closest picks it up.
Variations
Easier
Toss from about 6 ft and use a beanbag or cloth ball that doesn't bounce.
Standard
Toss from 10 ft and catch on the racket with no bounce.
Harder
The receiver must step to one side before catching, as the tosser calls it.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: receive while seated, with the tosser aiming at chest height.
- Visual impairment: use a bell ball or a bright-colored ball and say 'ready' before each toss.
- Lower skill level: allow holding the racket with both hands.
Learning goals
- Absorb the ball with the racket by giving with the movement.
- Adjust body position to the path of the toss.
- Help a partner by tossing accurately.
Equipment for a class of 25
- mini rackets: 25
- soft balls: 13
- hoops: 26
Teacher tip
The most common error is holding the racket stiff: ask students to lower it as if catching an egg. This is a great lead-in to any racket game.
PatioLab has "Catch It on the Racket" and 3999 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
More activities like this
More main activities for Elementary
1-on-1 Mini Volleyball Up and Down the River
One-on-one mini volleyball duels on 3 x 3 m courts under a rope 2 m high, using a receive, self-set and send rule.
1-on-1 Side-Step Square Duels
In pairs, inside 5 x 5 m squares, an attacker holding a football tries to get from the starting side to the far side without the defender pulling a flag.
1v1 Four-Gate Soccer Duels
In a square with a gate on each side, two players go head to head and score by dribbling through any of the four gates.
2-on-2 Mini Volleyball with a Neutral Setter
Two-on-two mini volleyball with a neutral setter under the rope who always plays for the team with the ball.
2v1 Attack Waves to Mini Goals
Two attackers take on one defender and try to score on a small goal in under 10 seconds.
2v2 Alley Mini-Volleyball
A 2v2 mini-volleyball game on a very long, narrow court, about 33×10 feet, where the only way to win a point is by playing for depth: short near the net or deep to the…