Catching a Football
All wide receivers have a different way of catching a football. For example, Randy Moss is one of the best receivers in the world, he’s likes it to catch the ball above his head and is very good while jumping, while Steve Smith likes to catch the ball in front of him and run. Those are two examples of catching tequniques. Players catching the football are most of the time wide receivers but tight ends, running backs, and in some cases a quarterback will catch the ball on offense. On defense everyone should be ready to catch a ball.
Catching a Pass
First, the key to being able to catch the ball is to get open. Guys with lots of speed, like Wes Welker, Dante Hall, Devin Hester, Steve Smith etc. have the speed to get open and run after making the catch. But guys like Randy Moss, Plaxico Burress and Braylon Edwards all usually catch the ball and fall immediately because they aren’t quick enough to get away from a defensive back or two.
As a receiver you are running a bunch of different routes. A seam is just run straight ahead. A slant is when you take about 2-4 steps forward and run diagonally to the right. A post is when you go ten yards and then turn and run diagonally. A flag is the same thing just to the outside. Ins and out's are when you run 5 or 10 yards straight and then cut in if its an in and out if its an out. A screen is when you take a step back once the ball is snapped and catch the ball. Once you get open you should put and arm up to call for the ball and keep your speed to give the quarterback and idea of where to put the ball. As a wide receiver you usually want to have the ball thrown out in front of you so you can catch up to it. The chances of a touchdown are higher if that happens while your open. Once the ball is thrown keep your speed and put your thumbs together and put your index fingers together also which will make the shape of a diamond or you can just put your thumbs together and leave your index fingers apart. Usually more advanced receivers put both together. If the ball is thrown behind you there is not much that you can do but bat it down or somehow stop and make an amazing catch. Instead of attacking the ball with your hands to catch it put your hands out and let it come to you. Once the ball is in your hands bring it towards your chest and start running. If you are running alone then put the ball in your arm that’s closest to the sideline. You will run faster with one arm around the ball then holding it with both hands.
Catching a punt
To catch a punt the key thing to do is keep your eyes on the ball as it falls. You must watch it all the way because the ball will do a lot of spinning and moving around. If you feel that you will be tackled right when you catch the ball then you can call for a fair catch. A fair catch is when you raise your hand in the air and wave it back and fourth. When you call for one you can catch the ball or let it drop. But if you call for a fair catch and drop the punt then the play is still alive and the other team can recover it. But if you don’t call for the fair catch then the trick to catching the punt is to keep your elbows tight to your body so if the ball slides through your grip then you can trap it with your body. It’s kind of like a basket. Once you catch it put it in your arm closest to the sideline and run.
Equipment
There is a bunch of different equipment that you can wear. You can wear gloves, wristbands, and visors. Gloves are a personal preference. Personally I like to wear them. But it’s your opinion. Gloves can range from 10 dollars to about 100 dollars. Companies are Under Armor, Nike, Reebok, Adidas, and Cutters. I don't know that wrist bands/sweat bands serve much of a purpose other then a little protection and wiping sweat. Visors block the sun, and protect your eyes. Company’s that make them are, Oakley, Nike, and Under Armor. Cleats for football are designed in a few different ways. Low tops, mid tops and high tops. You can get detachable studs or molded studs on the bottom of the cleat. They can weigh any where from about 11 oz. to 22 oz. Companies that make them are Under Armor, Nike, Reebok, and Adidas. They range from 40 dollars to 150 dollars.
