The ball bounces high into the sky. It soars like a bird but comes back down with a soft thump each time. My hand reaches out quickly to catch it before it touches the ground again. The bounce is quick and sharp, then smooth and round as the ball returns to my waiting palm. I kick it gently too, sending it skipping across the grass. It bounces faster when kicked than when thrown, making a pleasing rhythm of thumps and skips.