Ball Slap and Catch
Coordination & Body Control
Legend
- player
- ball
- movement path
How it works
Develop hand-eye coordination by slapping and catching the ball in various positions around the body.
What you need
- basketball
Your focus
Ball slap drills activate the fast-twitch muscles in the hands and forearms that are essential for dribbling and passing. Young athletes who develop hand-eye coordination early have a significant advantage in ball-sport development. This foundational coordination work makes all future skill acquisition easier.
Player holds ball in both hands at chest height, slaps ball lightly left hand to right hand 10 times.
Move the ball around the body: circle around waist 5 times each direction, then figure-8 through the legs.
Drop ball from waist height and catch it with both hands before second bounce.
Complete all movements in sequence for 3 rounds total.
Goal
You've got it when you complete the full sequence without dropping the ball, slap, catch, move to the next position, no interruption.
Helpful cues
- Soft hands, squeeze the ball, don't slap it hard
- Watch the ball the whole time, eyes on it
- Quick transfers, don't hold too long in one hand
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
Use a larger playground ball for easier grip.
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
Perform figure-8 through the legs with eyes closed.No account needed
Build a practice plan
Add drills, keep the plan in this browser, then share a link with your staff or parents.This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.
This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.After every practice, UpLVL automatically surfaces the drills each player needs to work on most. See it for yourself.