The head and eyes must be still and focussed on the ball. Be ready to move either way and bring your hands together early in anticipation of the ball coming your way.

Try not to go back on to the heel as this could prevent you from moving quickly. Gathering the Ball:

The line of the delivery must be spotted early and the body moved in such a way that the ball is gathered near the left thigh on the off side (for a right-handed batsman) or in front of the right thigh on the leg side.

The fingers are spread (not too wide) and pointing downwards and the ball is allowed to land in the cup of the glove.

Generally for two handed catching the little finger and ring finger of the right glove will be on top of the corresponding fingers on the left glove. The ball is taken at a point at the base of the little and ring finger of the right glove.

The other fingers then close over the ball. While moving sideways to take the ball, the fingers must be pointing sideways. While taking a ball rising to the chest or above, the fingers point upwards and the ball is taken at the base of the index finger of the right glove, with the left glove behind it, to give it support.

Another point to be remembered is to move the hands back a little as the ball falls into the glove. This is called `giving in' and helps to reduce the force of the impact of the ball. Never point the fingers in the direction the ball is coming from, as this could result in very painful injuries.