Chapter 4: Throwing

"You throw like a girl". If fastpitch softball continues its rise in popularity and skill level this phrase will soon become a compliment. Until that time, we'll just consider this comment to mean any girl OR boy who hasn't been taught the correct way to throw a ball.

So what's the difference between the "girl" throw and the correct form shown by seasoned baseball and softball players?

The beginning player usually exhibits four poor traits which will haunt their attempts to master the art. If caught at a young age, these bad traits can be corrected to eliminate years of frustration.

1. The throw begins with the ball hand place well behind the head. Most beginners hold the ball next to their heads. Notice how the forearm and upper arm form the letter "L" and the ball hand is facing behind you. Also notice, it's the GLOVE shoulder that's facing the person you are throwing to.

The glove actually points to the place you want to throw the ball and most of your body's weight is placed over your back foot.

2. The part of the arm/hand anatomy that passes the head first is NOT the ball hand. It's the elbow. A correct throw leads with the elbow. See how the hips and upper torso are turning to face foward as the pitch progresses.

3. The ball is thrown by snapping the wrist at the point of release -- NOT by pushing the ball with the hand. The wrist snap provides the speed needed to reach across an infield.

4. The throw DOES NOT end with the wrist snap and release of the ball. The hand and arm MUST follow through in a way that the throwing hand comes to rest near the knee on the opposite side of the body. By this time, the weight of your body has shifted to your front foot. This weight shift and follow through motion ensures that the power of the shoulder is included as part of the total power applied to the throw.

KEEP YOUR EYES ON YOUR TARGET THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE THROWING MOTION. THE BALL AND YOUR BODY TEND TO GO TO WHEREVER YOUR EYES ARE FOCUSED.

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	1. The throw begins with the ball hand place well behind the head. Most beginners hold the ball next to their heads. Notice how the forearm and upper arm form the letter "L" and the ball hand is facing behind you. Also notice, it's the GLOVE shoulder that's facing the person you are throwing to.
	The glove actually points to the place you want to throw the ball and most of your body's weight is placed over your back foot.
	2. The part of the arm/hand anatomy that passes the head first is NOT the ball hand. It's the elbow. A correct throw leads with the elbow. See how the hips and upper torso are turning to face foward as the pitch progresses.
	3. The ball is thrown by snapping the wrist at the point of release -- NOT by pushing the ball with the hand. The wrist snap provides the speed needed to reach across an infield.
	4. The throw DOES NOT end with the wrist snap and release of the ball. The hand and arm MUST follow through in a way that the throwing hand comes to rest near the knee on the opposite side of the body. By this time, the weight of your body has shifted to your front foot. This weight shift and follow through motion ensures that the power of the shoulder is included as part of the total power applied to the throw.