Equipment Needed
- Soft training balls or tennis balls
Soft balls make this safer to learn
A set of soft training balls takes the fear out of early throwing-motion reps for first-year players.
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- Partners stand a short distance apart, facing each other, one ball per pair.
- Coach demonstrates the basic throwing sequence before starting.
Instructions
- Grip the ball comfortably across the seams with fingertips, not deep in the palm.
- Turn the shoulder toward the target and step with the opposite foot as the arm comes forward.
- Release the ball out in front of the body, finishing with the throwing hand near the opposite knee.
- Partner catches, and the pair continues throwing back and forth, taking a step back every few clean throws.
Coaching Points
- The step with the opposite foot is what generates power — without it, throws become all arm and lose accuracy.
- Keep the throwing elbow at or above shoulder height through the motion rather than dropping it low.
- Aim for the partner's chest, not just in their general direction, to build accuracy from the start.
- Short, accurate throws matter more than distance at this age — don't rush the progression.
Variation
Add a target (a bucket or cone) to throw at for a fun accuracy challenge, or gradually increase distance as accuracy stays consistent.