Make the Most Out of Your Throws

Photo from: bleacherreport.com

 

It all sounds simple, but it is still easy to mess up...though Bo knows.

You have probably heard that you should throw with your elbow pointing toward your target. You might even heard that you throw like a girl. By the way, I do not know what that means since I have seen males throw wrong. So, this cliché, "throw like a girl." needs to be eradicated. In throwing, your entire arm plays a role. Your torso plays a role. Your legs play a role. Your feet play a role.

Arms. The most important aspect of the throw. They hold the ball or object that you are throwing. Your shoulder, specifically your rotator cuffs act as a launcher. A good throw is not pushed from the elbow to the hand. As far as the arm is concerned, a good throw starts at the shoulder, travels to the elbow, and ends in the hand and wrist with a follow through.

Torso. Your torso rotates. No one faces his or her target with a straight body. Softball pitching can get away with this movement to a degree.

Legs. There is a set position to make sure you are in position to throw. There is a weight shift to put some force behind the throw. There is also a plant with a follow-through in many cases (e.g., quarterbacks, pitchers, etc.) to solidify the throw.

Feet and Ankles. Alignment is key. Good quarterbacks have parallel feet when they throw. At least, they are in parallel planes. Do you have to throw like an elite quarterback? Somewhat, yes. You just do not have to be a perfect mirror image.

Here are some other throwing tips.

Tubing Crank: You can do it at home, and you do not need any space or expensive equipment.
Try Ambidexterity: Why not? Think about it. If you are a righty, why would you not use your left hand or arm, especially if you are not in a distance contest?
Follow Through: Lead with the elbow, and the wrist girdle will follow.
Rotate: People either said you have strong hips (for the men) or you have child bearing hips (for the women). Both are advantageous.
Give It a Lower Body Heave: There is another reason why squats are varied.

Purpose and Development,
Derek

Derek Arledge, CSCS         TEEM Performance Training          www.teempt.com