I learned how to throw a ball!!!

I have never been much at throwing a ball. Although it never mattered much I just figured I couldn't because I didn't have the strength
You guys make it look so easy.

But I have a big healthy dog and she loves it so I've been really thinking about "what is the secret?" I mean I was lame!
15 feet was about my max. I would throw it down the hill so it would go farther and she got a better workout coming up the hill.

For a couple weeks I thought about how to build a dogie ball catapult (I still think there is a market for that) Just hit the peddle with your foot and it lobs the ball I was going to post and see what we could come up with.

But I continued to throw these stink balls and started thinking about my grip. Hmmm it feels like it's rolling off my fingertips back wards. Hmmmm I must be releasing it the wrong time when I throw....

EUREKA!!!!!
You have to hang onto the ball tight and then let go!!
I never gripped the ball tight.. Never occurred to me, after all I wanted it to fly didn't I?
I had a very loose grip on it thinking it would get better movement with less finger friction

You know no one ever really tells most girls how to throw..

I'm now tossing those puppies an average of 50 feet! w00t!! and my dog says w00t!

Any more tips are appreciated

[tmx468]

Well, firstly, congratulations! It took me 3 months to get me (ex) girlfriend to throw...

How are you releasing the ball?

Are you side-arming, ie like a baseball pitcher, or is your arm coming over your shoulder?

I'm coming over my shoulder, but I'd love any tips for distance
What's side arming? Is that why they stand sideways? I want to learn the right way to throw my body into it too...

[GohanSSJ]

If you continue like this then we will be seeing you soon on TV as a baseball player.

[Harold7]

As someone who coached girls's softball, I understand your complaint about girls not being taught the proper throwing fundamentals.

If you are right-handed, stand with your left shoulder pointing in the direction you want to throw, push off with your back foot as you come forward with the throw and follow through with the throwing motion even after your hand has released the ball.

If you really want good instruction about how to throw without the danger of injury, get one of the instructional videos available for young baseball players... whether you play or not, the fundamentals are the same.

[tmx468]

Side-arming tends to be the best, in terms of distance and speed. Over the top is better for height...

Stand side-ways, with your left shoulder pointing the direction you want the ball to go. Rock back so you are on your back foot, and only the front of your left foot is on the ground.
I start with my arm bent behind me in a 'maple syrup' style handle to my body. I bring it through to that as it comes up and to the side, it straightens up.
The release position is arm horizontal to my body, straightening as it reaches that point, where the ball is released. That gives the body, and arm momentum going into the ball.

The ball flies quite flat, and everyone can adjust aspects to suit them better, or offers more comfort, but that is how I got my ex going, and she is quite impressive now...

Hiya Harold7 long time no see!
And thanks for the advice!

Um, which foot is your back foot?

The ball flies quite flat, and everyone can adjust aspects to suit them better, or offers more comfort, but that is how I got my ex going, and she is quite impressive now...

Now we shall see if it works on someone more like mom

[thekingofpain]

Maybe try a "chucker", they work VERY well, I bought one for a friend and even his small daughter can chuck a tennisball to the moon---no slimey gooped up hands either---it flexes as you "chuck" adding leverage really sending the ball flying with little effort---
About 6$ at Petsmart
Looks like this:
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/tailsbythebay/chuckit.html

[John Prophet]

The wrist and fingers are so important for ball throwing etc....everyone sees the big flashy arm movements etc..but the wrist etc is that last little "hinge" that gives the snap.

You can see it even clearer in frisbee.

Take a frisbee..hold it out in front of you DONT use your shoulder joint at all..just from the elbow and wrist 'flick" that frisbee out there!! goes a good long ways..lots of control too with that compact motion.

Now try it again..this time lock your wrist and elbow totally!! pretend your elbow and wrist is in a cast..move ONLY the shoulder joint...hehe..a little different huh..weak and hard to control.

Its like a whip..think about it..the handle (shoulder) of the whip doesnt really do that much does it...it moves like 2 or 3 feet maybe..but the tip (hand/wrist/fingers) of the whip is FLYING.

And the acceleration of the handle end has to be controlled and gradually acclerated or it wont "whip" at all.

Same with casting a fishing line..have you seen kids cast a line and it go backwards or fall straight down?? lol.

[korgul]

I offer instruction for ummm say $10 per lesson.

You know no one ever really tells most girls how to throw

Sure we do we tell you that you throw like a girl.

If you are right handed then you back foot is your right foot. Vice versa if you are left handed.
When throwing the ball, male sure you push with your back foot and follow through. If you do it right you should finish your throw standing on your left foot with your right shoulder facing the intended target. Again vice versa if you are a lefty. kinda hard to describe how to throw a ball easier to show.