When you are starting off it can be difficult to catch the ball safely and reliably 100% of the time, so a good place to start is by practicing the chest mark.  This type of mark is also really useful in wet weather when the ball is more slippery than normal - conditions that occur in this country far too often!

To do a chest mark the ball needs to be coming from in front of you.  Kepping your eyes on the ball, move towards it and bring your elbows in to your side, keeping your hands facing up and stretched out in front of you.  Aim to cradle the ball between your forearms and chest, pulling it in to your body as soon as you feel contact.

To make this even easier you might find it useful to jump before the ball reaches you, bending at the hips and hugging the ball to your chest.