One of the most important skills in cricket is knowing how to catch a cricket ball. Being able to catch is important in being able to take wickets as a team. There are two ways in which you can catch the ball. These are to have the fingers pointing up or pointing down. These alternative forms of catching depend on what type of catch you have to make. A common mistake in catching a cricket ball is snapping at it. This is called a crocodile catch which more often than not, results in the person dropping the catch and end up doing damage to their hands.

Two key aspects in catching the cricket ball successfully is watching the ball and to give with the ball. Any good catcher of the cricket ball watches the ball right into the hands. Another key aspect is to have soft hands and to 'give' with the ball. This will stop the ball from bouncing out of the hands.

The most common catch is the fingers down or horizontal catch. This is where the fieldsman 'cups' their hands together. The term 'cup' is used as this is the shape of the hands in this position. This catching method should be used when either catching a skied ball which has been hit up high in the air, or catches that are below the chest. With high, skied catches, it is important to cup the hands up high, at eye-line so you can watch the ball into the hand all the way. Then you can give with the ball.

The other alternative form of catching the cricket ball is the fingers up approach. This is where you cup your hands together but the fingers are facing up towards the sky, instead of horizontal or towards the ground. This form of catching is used when the ball is hit reasonably flat, and above head height or eye-line.