Child Who Struggles to Catch a Ball: Ball Play and Coordination

Catching a ball isn't just about moving your hands fast. When your child keeps missing a ball that comes right to them and you start wondering, "Do they just not like ball games?", this is the first thing worth considering.

Your child has to track the direction and speed of the ball with their eyes, predict where it will land, and move their hands and body to match. In other words, it takes coordination—the ability to turn what the eyes see into movement.

What to watch for during ball play

• Do they follow a moving ball with their eyes all the way?
• Do they reach their hands toward the incoming ball?
• Do they pull their body back instead of trying to catch it?
• Do they often miss the ball even from close range?
• Do they have similar trouble across ball play in general—throwing, catching, and kicking?

Ball play that starts with success

Instead of a fast ball, choose a big one and pass it back and forth slowly from close range so your child gets to succeed. Rather than urging "Catch it!", give them plenty of time to go through the steps: watch the ball, get their hands ready, and try to catch.

Ball play is fun, and it's also a natural way for children to practice visual-motor coordination.

Last reviewed: 2026-10-07 This article is for general information only. Your child's developmental status and treatment plan are determined through consultation and assessment.