Expert: Rick Bundy - 6/10/2010

Question
I'd like to be able to teach my 8 year old granddaughter to throw a baseball properly. I know how to throw, but I don't think I can articulate it clearly enough. Is there a simple set of insructions?

Answer
Kevin:  We use this rhyme in the Arizona Diamondback's Training Centers camps, and it works great for kids being able to remember the steps.

Thumb to the thigh
Knuckles to the sky
Point your glove
Let it fly

With that rhyme, you can easily break it down, step by step, so that you can check, as well as let them check, if they are in the right spot.

Thumb to the thigh gets them started on the way to their arm circle, down - back-and up.

Knuckles to the sky is really important.  It is the position that keeps their elbow above or even with their shoulder, thus putting less stress on their shoulder and elbow.

Kids will get up and back, then get the hand turned when they go to throw, which drops the elbow, causing the ball to come out of the side of their hand.  Loss of velocity, distance and accuracy are the end result.  With a lot of throwing, generally a sore elbow.

The elbow will drop also if they don't step on line, that is, directly at their target.  

It all takes time; but is worth the effort.

On my website, www.theoleballgame.com, there are two pages on throwing, both can be accessed from the Nav bar, under Baseball Instruction.  One is Rookie Throwing, the other Advanced Throwing.

You will also find some information about gripping the baseball, as well as getting their body lined up to make a throw.

The rhyme does a super job of helping younger kids remember the steps.

Good luck with your instruction.  It is a fun experience.  Her strength and accuracy will improve as she becomes comfortable with the motion.

Yours in baseball,

Rick