You're absolutely right! This is a classic example of Newton's Third Law of Motion. Here's how it works:

* Action: When you catch a ball, your hand exerts a force on the ball to slow it down and bring it to a stop. This is the action force.

* Reaction: The ball, in turn, exerts an equal and opposite force on your hand. This is the reaction force. This force is what you feel as the impact of the ball.

In simpler terms: The ball pushes back on you just as hard as you push on it.

Important Note: The action and reaction forces always act on different objects. Your hand acts on the ball, and the ball acts on your hand.