Wall Ball Throwing and Catching
Throw a tennis ball against a wall and catch it on the rebound — a solo or partner game that builds throwing accuracy and quick reactions.
What You'll Need
- 1Tennis ball or rubber ball
- 2Sturdy outdoor wall with pavement
What You'll Need
A tennis ball or rubber ball
A sturdy outdoor wall with flat pavement in front
How to Play
Find a good wall — the side of a building, a garage, or a handball wall at a park. The wall should be solid (not windows!) with flat pavement in front.
Stand about 8 feet from the wall. Throw the tennis ball against the wall with a strong overhand throw.
Catch the ball on the rebound. Start with two hands. The ball comes back fast, so stay ready with hands up.
Count your streak: 1, 2, 3... see how many consecutive catches you can make without dropping. Write down your record.
Once two-handed catches are consistent, try one hand. Alternate right and left.
Switch to your non-dominant throwing hand. Throwing and catching with the weak side is where the real development happens.
Try a ground-wall combo: bounce the ball on the ground in front of you, let it hit the wall, then catch the rebound. Three different trajectories in one sequence.
Add tricks between throw and catch: clap once, spin around, touch the ground. Each trick shortens your reaction time.
Tips
Wall ball is the ultimate self-practice activity. Your child can do this alone for hours, gradually building throwing accuracy and catching reflexes.
Tennis balls are ideal because they're small enough to challenge catching skills but soft enough not to damage walls or hands.
Start close to the wall (5-6 feet) and gradually move back. Farther away means harder throws and longer reaction times.
The clap-and-catch trick is a progression ladder. Start with one clap. Then two claps. Then a clap and a spin. Each level builds speed.
This translates directly to baseball/softball, cricket, and any sport with hand-eye coordination. Pros do wall ball drills at every level.
Age Adaptation Tips
School-age kids can take more ownership. Let them lead the activity, experiment with variations, and explain what they learned.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this activity take?
This activity takes about 15 min, with 0 min of preparation time beforehand.
What materials do I need?
You'll need: tennis ball or rubber ball, sturdy outdoor wall with pavement.
What age is this activity for?
This activity is designed for 5-8 years. You can adapt it for younger or older children by adjusting the complexity.
Does this need to be done outdoors?
This activity is best done outdoors where kids have space to move and explore.
How difficult is this activity?
This is an easy activity that requires minimal setup and supervision. Great for busy days or when you need something quick.
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