How Can I Make More Catches Like I Used to?

Football Player:

I play tight end for my high school football team. Every time at practice when we run a passing play, I become overwhelmed. I try to tell myself it’s just a catch, except 80% of the time I don't catch it. This never happened to me before high school when I played football with friends—there was no mental barriers, I would just go out for a pass, catch the ball, and score a bunch of times. I think it just might be a comfort level or that I think too much. I just want to be the football player that I know I can be.

Dr. Cohn’s Answer:

This sounds to me like you are too focused on the results of catching the ball and “what ifs.” What if… I don’t catch he ball today in practice? What if… the coach thinks I can’t catch? Etc, etc. I think you need to get back to seeing the ball as well as you can and as early as you can, then reacting to the ball. Focus on what you need to do to make a good catch instead of worrying about dropping the ball. If you think about dropping the ball, you most likely will. Watch it right into your hands and react. Do not try too hard to make a catch—trust your athletic ability.

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