Who Needs Balls?
I've been trying to play catch with my son for about six years now, but it's always been difficult for him. He flinches and closes his eyes no matter how softly I toss the ball to him. I don't know where he came up with the idea that I was going to rifle the ball at his head, but somewhere in the back of his mind I guess he thinks I'm going to hurt him.
We've tried tennis balls, whiffle balls, nerf balls, footballs, even bean bags. He's good at throwing them, but it's the catching skills that continue to elude him.
A few months ago we had a breakthrough. At the fair we picked up one of those cheap frisbees with some candidate's name on it. The next day I was showing my kids how to throw the thing when, lo and behold, my son revealed his hidden talent. The boy can catch a frisbee!
Something about the shape, or the gentle way that it floats through the air to him, I don't know what exactly, but whatever it is he took to it immediately. He no longer backs away or seems afraid as we play catch with this flying disc. Plus, he's developing the hand-eye coordination that is needed for other kinds of activities.
Best of all, frisbees are fun! I'd forgotten how easy they are to toss around. When I was about the age my son is now, my brother used to play frisbee with me... It was one of the very few games we could play together, as he was six years older than me and thought I was a bothersome brat (I probably was).
We've gone through three of those cheap giveaway frisbees and now I'm looking to spend some money on a good one. If you have a recommendation, let me know!
We've tried tennis balls, whiffle balls, nerf balls, footballs, even bean bags. He's good at throwing them, but it's the catching skills that continue to elude him.
A few months ago we had a breakthrough. At the fair we picked up one of those cheap frisbees with some candidate's name on it. The next day I was showing my kids how to throw the thing when, lo and behold, my son revealed his hidden talent. The boy can catch a frisbee!
Something about the shape, or the gentle way that it floats through the air to him, I don't know what exactly, but whatever it is he took to it immediately. He no longer backs away or seems afraid as we play catch with this flying disc. Plus, he's developing the hand-eye coordination that is needed for other kinds of activities.
Best of all, frisbees are fun! I'd forgotten how easy they are to toss around. When I was about the age my son is now, my brother used to play frisbee with me... It was one of the very few games we could play together, as he was six years older than me and thought I was a bothersome brat (I probably was).
We've gone through three of those cheap giveaway frisbees and now I'm looking to spend some money on a good one. If you have a recommendation, let me know!
Permalink posted by Phil at 10:01 PM
8 Comments:
I always preferred Frisbees to balls. It is the way they float. Not only that, but they're cool to watch after you throw them.
I've always bought the top-of-the-line Frisbees, which now seems to be called the Pro Classic.
This seems to be the official Frisbee nowadays.
The same site has them broken down by categories, such as long-distance fliers and steadiness. Ooo, I'm bookmarking it right now for when Seth gets older.
You may want to try disc golf, I've found it to be a lot of fun. There are several parks around Coeur d'Alene that have targets. Not much for catching, but if you like throwing a frisbee around, you can't beat disc golf. Farragut has an intense 18-hold disc golf course, too, but you really have to watch where your frisbee lands. NIC also has a course, but it's probably down for the winter.
Some are just born with a god feeling for catching balls. it's odd that he can catch the frisbee, seems like that would be a lot more difficult?
AD
I had a similar experience with both my son and daughter. Through some twisted turns-of-events professionally, I ended up in the disc business by creating a new light up flying disc (Frisbee). Here's the marvel that came from a lighted flying disc and what you've posted in your blog here; my children (10 & 12) both catch better at night than they do in day! I was shocked to see how they perceived the lighted flying disc visibly being able to see so much more detail as in spin, speed (English) on the disc at night than the day. They've told me that because they can see the "detail" they aren't as scared of the impact. The daytime "flinch factor" is removed also because they are so distracted with the all-out fun factor. Anyway, thanks for reading.
Jeff
Flashflight light-up flying disc
Cool. Glad that worked. I was going to suggest disc golf, too. If you're into Frisbee it adds a nice walk through the park to the experience, though you do lose the "catch" element.
You may want to try the Aerobie, I believe. The "flying ring." You can toss the thing short distances, or about 100 yards. It is easy to catch and throw. They also sell a boomerang under the same banner. The ring is surrounded by soft rubber. Pretty slick.
I was going to suggest a blown up large balloon, that's how I taught all 3 my kids to catch, it comes down slowly and softly. But now that he enjoys the frisbee it's solved.
I tried to throw a boomerang the other day, no no no success :( The boys threw it and it came all the way back, I just couldn't get it! Must be a girl thing. Shall I send you one, then you guys can try too?
The disc I'd recommend is the Aerobie "Superdisc" -- it flies flat and far like the ring, but is still close to the classic frisbee form. I've used it with my girls and they really liked it because it's easy to throw and has a soft rubber edge, so less ouch factor.
*Your blog's been a daily reader for me for a few months -- really appreciate your insights (especially into homeschooling). Thanks.
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