To Catch a Fast-Moving Ball, You Extend Your Hand Forward

To catch a fast-moving ball, you extend your hand forward before contact with the ball and let it ride backward in the direction of the ball's motion. Doing this reduces the force of contact on your hand principally because the

A) force of contact is reduced.
B) relative velocity is less.
C) time of contact is increased.
D) time of contact is decreased.
E) none of the above