Finally, moving to the passer with both hands up signals the passer that your player wants the ball and is alert for a pass at any time. This is another basic and simple rule, but more turnovers are caused in the game of basketball today because the player catching the ball, doesn't practice this. Another reason for doing this is that it is easier to pivot and keep your balance if your body has some motion or energy in it. By stopping your movement too early, most players release all of their energy into the floor and are susceptible to being forced off balance by an aggressive defender. It's a very awkward and rigid movement.
Many young players have trouble catching because they catch with stiff arms.
The energy must go somewhere usually remaining in the ball and causing the ball to glance hard off of the hands. It's the same principle that auto makers use in designing bumpers on their cars to absorb the force of a crash. When you players learn to do this, they will have softer hands and become good receivers of the ball. Make sure they watch the ball completely into their hands before quickly locating the basket with their eyes when the ball is properly secured. If you're catching the ball on the wing, it is better to catch the ball off the inside pivot foot, but still as nearly as possible to a one contact stop.