Keep your eyes focussed on the ball till it is in your glove. If the batsman is out of the crease, you would have seen it out of the corner of your eye. Avoid watching the batsman's feet or the stumps while gathering the ball. Your focus should be on taking the ball without fumbling.

The bails may be removed by a swing of the arms, through it is preferable that the body and hips turn towards the stumps while stumping. This helps in reaching the stumps when the ball is gathered wide of the off or leg stump.

The hands must move quickly after gathering the ball. Some top keepers even start their hand movements for a stumping before the ball is caught, though this is recommended only for professionals or others who have the natural ability and talent for this otherwise difficult and thankless job.