Question

Explain why, when catching a fast moving ball, the hands are drawn back
while the ball is being brought to rest.

Answer 1

newton 3rd law said that every action there is always equal and opposite reaction . so we draw our hand back as to reduce force

Answer 2

While catching a fast moving cricket ball , a fielder in the ground gradually pulls his hand backwards with the moving ball, In doing so, the fielder increases the time during which the high velocity of the moving ball decrease to zero. thus, the acceleration of the ball is decreased and therefore the impact of catching the fast moving ball is also reduced.

if the ball stopped suddenly then it's high velocity is decreases to zero in a very short interval of time. Thus, the rate of change of momentum of the ball will be large. Therefore, a large force would have to be applied for holding the catch that may hurt the palm of the fielder.