In only his fourth season in the NFL, San Diego Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson has emerged as one of the best young pass catchers in the game. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound play maker has become a favorite target of quarterback Phillip Rivers thanks to a great set of hands and precise route running.

We recently caught up with Vincent on the field after a Chargers practice to get some insight on the best way to learn how to catch a football.

YFM: What is the most important factor in catching a football?

Vincent Jackson: It’s all about your eyes. If your eyes are not focused properly on the ball, your hands won’t get into the best position to receive it.

YFM: What part of the football should the eyes be focused on?

VJ: The cross hairs. When you look at a ball, especially one that is coming in your direction, you should be able to see the two crosshairs, the seams at the tip of the ball coming at you. By focusing on that tip of the ball, even more specifically the crosshairs of the ball, you improve the chances that your hands will be positioned properly, increasing your chances of catching the ball.

YFM: What is the proper position of the hands?

VJ: The easiest way to visualize this is by grabbing a football. Take the tip, crosshairs, and point it to your face. Now, form a triangle with your index fingers almost touching each other and the same with thumbs around the tip of the ball. Then place the rest of your fingers on the ball following the angle of the football. Another important thing to remember is that your fingers should be the only thing touching the ball, not your palms. Now drop the ball and maintain the same hand position and you will have the proper hand positioning to catch a football.

YFM: What is the most important aspect of hand placement?

VJ: Catching it with your fingers and not your palms. Your fingers have elasticity in them, so when the ball hits your fingers it naturally takes away some of the balls energy (speed). If you try to catch a ball with flat hands, the ball will hit your palms, which is a harder surface and the ball will be more likely to bounce out of your hands.

YFM: Any other thoughts about catching the ball?

VJ: Yes. The best way to learn to catch as a youngster is to use your hands. But there are times when I will have to take a big hit and that is when I chose to let the ball into my body and almost cradle it a little. However, this is a skill and it has taken years for me to learn how to do this without the ball bouncing off my body. Also, the technique we’re talking about is hand position for balls above your waist. You need to have your hands placed differently for balls coming at you below your waistline.