Common Mistakes Kids Make When Throwing Overhead & How to Fix

Ever watched your child wind up to throw a ball, and then… well, it doesn’t quite go as planned? Maybe their arm is doing one thing, their legs another, and the ball ends up somewhere completely unexpected? I get it! I’ve seen my fair share of throws that looked more like a dance move than a sporting event! It’s super common for parents to wonder why their kids have such a tough time with overhead throwing, especially when they seem to do everything else just fine.

The purpose of this post is to highlight those common errors kids make when they’re throwing, and more importantly, give you some simple solutions to help your young athlete (or just your kiddo who wants to play) improve their technique!

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I. Understanding the Basics

A. What We Mean by “Overhead Throwing”

So, what exactly are we talking about when we say “overhead throwing”? Well, think about those classic kid activities: throwing a baseball, a softball, or even a football when they’re playing in the backyard or at a park. It’s that motion where they bring their arm up and over their head to launch the ball. You know, the one that sometimes looks like they’re trying to reach for something on a really high shelf! It’s a foundational movement, a common one that your kids will use in tons of games and sports, so it’s a good idea to get the hang of it early!

B. Why is Proper Throwing Mechanics Important?

Now, you might be thinking, “Why does it matter how they throw? As long as the ball gets there, right?” Well, yeah, getting the ball there is important, but doing it with good form is even better! When kids develop good throwing mechanics, they’re not just throwing better, they’re also developing important motor skills – the kind that help with all sorts of activities. Good technique leads to a stronger throw, which impacts athletic skill, and also reduces the risk of injury, especially down the road. A kid who uses their whole body and good form when throwing is much less likely to hurt their arm or shoulder.

Now that we’ve covered the basics of overhead throwing and why it’s so important, let’s dive into some of the common throwing problems kids face.

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II. Common Mistakes Kids Make When Throwing Overhead

Alright, let’s get into the real meat of the issue – the common errors we see when kids are trying to throw. You’ll probably recognize some of these!

A. Mistake #1: All Arm, No Body

Oh, this one is a classic! You know how it goes: your kid stands there and tries to just chuck it with their arm alone. It’s like they’re trying to throw a ball with a wet noodle! They forget they have a whole body to use! The power in a good throw actually comes from the legs, the core, and then the arm. It’s like a chain reaction where everything works together, using full body and leg drive. It’s not just about muscling the ball.

B. Mistake #2: Not Stepping Forward

This is another big one! You might see your child standing there like a statue when they are trying to throw. A good throw is about creating momentum, and that starts with stepping forward. And it’s not just any step, it needs to be with the opposite foot as their throwing arm. That step helps get their body into the motion, adding a ton of extra power!

C. Mistake #3: Incorrect Grip and Release

Okay, so their grip is off or they release the ball too early or too late – and boom! The ball goes all over the place. It’s like trying to throw a wet bar of soap, slippery and unpredictable! The right grip gives them control, and the right release point is essential for throwing accuracy. When the release is off, it’s like aiming a water hose when the nozzle is loose, the water goes anywhere it wants!

D. Mistake #4: Not Using Their Elbow Correctly

It’s kind of like trying to make a cake but forgetting the eggs! You see kids not using their elbow correctly, maybe keeping it too low, too high or not driving forward with it. A powerful throw requires a good elbow motion, which helps with generating force and directing the ball.

E. Mistake #5: Lack of Follow Through

This one’s like watching a movie that cuts off right before the end. The follow through is key for not just power but also for accuracy, allowing the arm to have full arm motion, it’s the final step in the throwing motion that helps transfer all that built-up energy into the ball and prevent the body from any injury.

F. Mistake #6: Rushing The Throw

Kids get excited, and sometimes they rush the whole motion, losing all their power and accuracy as a result. They are so focused on just getting the ball thrown that they totally skip out on the mechanics.

For a deeper dive into the fundamentals of throwing mechanics, check out this great resource from Little League Baseball.

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III. How to Fix These Throwing Errors

Alright, now for the solutions! Let’s get these kids throwing like champs!

A. Fix #1: Engaging the Whole Body

We need to get them using their entire body, not just their arm. Try some “stand and throw” drills where they focus on using their core and legs. Then move to “step and throw,” making sure they focus on that step to transfer power. Have them use cues, like “feel the power come from your feet.”

B. Fix #2: Step-by-Step Approach

To teach that step forward, try telling them to “Step toward where you want it to go!” Make it a game, have them step toward a target when they throw. Keep it simple and easy to remember.

C. Fix #3: Improving Grip and Release Point

Have them practice holding the ball, feeling for the right grip and practicing different releases. Get your child to understand what a good grip feels like and then get them to practice releasing the ball at the right moment, which really improves their throwing accuracy.

D. Fix #4: Elbow Positioning

A few slow throws where they really focus on what their elbow is doing can help. You could have them pretend they’re drawing a circle with their elbow as they throw.

E. Fix #5: Achieving The Correct Follow Through

Have them practice the throw motion and keep focusing on the follow through. Use visual aids too, show them what it looks like, it’s like they’re finishing the throw all the way until their hand is pointing towards the ground.

F. Fix #6: Encouraging Kids to be Patient

Explain that rushing often makes their throws worse, not better. Tell them the best throws comes when they slow down and focus on coordination.

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IV. Adding More Fun and Variety to Training

Here’s how to spice things up and keep your kiddo engaged:

A. Using Targets

Targets are a game changer! Set up some targets – it doesn’t have to be fancy. A bucket, a hula hoop on the ground, or even just a chalk drawing on the fence work great. Using targets helps them work on their throwing accuracy, and it turns practice into a little challenge, not just mindless repetition.

B. Different Games for Practice

Who says practice has to be all serious? Turn it into playtime! There are tons of fun games you can use, like trying to knock down a tower of empty cans or playing a good old-fashioned game of catch. Get creative and have fun with it; the key is to keep them interested and moving.

C. Progress Tracking

Kids love to see how much they’ve improved! Start keeping track of how far they throw or how many targets they hit. Seeing their progress is super encouraging and helps them stay motivated to keep practicing. Make it visual, like using a chart and give them a fun sticker each time they show an improvement.

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V. Dealing with Frustration and Keeping it Fun

A. Acknowledge Frustration is Normal

Let your kid know that it’s totally okay to feel frustrated. Share some of your own experiences! Like, “Oh, I know that feeling, I was trying to learn a new recipe and I had to throw away my first batch of cookies!”. Just understanding that everyone struggles sometimes can help a lot.

B. Keep Things Positive

Encouragement is super powerful! Be your child’s biggest cheerleader, and keep the atmosphere fun and light. Use lots of “Attaboys!” or “You’re doing great!” to keep them moving forward and to reinforce good behaviors. Even small improvements deserve a big celebration!

C. Remember, It’s About Progress, Not Perfection

Perfection is overrated. It’s about making progress and learning new things, not about being perfect from day one. Celebrate all the small wins, and remember to be patient. I’ve seen my own kids go through ups and downs while they learn something new. There are some days when they are super focused and it all clicks, and then there are days where they might feel like they are going backward. That’s just how the learning curve goes.

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VI. Let’s Recap:

We’ve covered a lot, right? We talked about those common mistakes kids make when they’re trying their best to do overhead throwing. We looked at how they tend to use just their arm, forget that all-important step, and sometimes struggle with that grip and release point. And, hey, we also talked about how to fix all those little hiccups, from getting the whole body involved to keeping that elbow in check! It’s all about breaking it down, working on it, and keeping it fun.

So, what’s one new thing you’ll try with your little thrower? I’m really curious to hear what you think. Let me know in the comments; let’s help each other out!

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Frequently Asked Questions