PaceSetter Book

Throwing Activities 4

4.1.1 The Skill of Throwing Before the young athletes are introduced to specific throwing actions, they should first be taught the skill of throwing. The simplest way to teach this is by giving each member of the group a soft ball and asking them to perform a throw using the following actions: • Moving fingers only • Moving fingers and wrist only • Moving fingers, wrist and elbow only • Moving fingers, wrist, elbow and shoulder only When they have had several practices using the whole of the arm they should then try the following throwing actions: WEB COPY ©EVEQUE

• As hard as they can • As gentle as they can • As high as they can • As low as they can

• Towards the ground making as loud noise as they can • Towards the ground making as little noise as they can

From these practices the young athlete will learn effective ways of throwing to achieve specific aims.

There are two, very simple, practical exercises that will encourage young athletes to use the legs and other parts of the body when throwing for distance. These are namely the Forward Pitch and Overhead Heave, which should both be performed with either a size 4 soccer ball or 1kg medicine ball with young athletes under 13 years old. WEB COPY ©EVEQUE A B

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