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If you’re a beginner learning how to play baseball, or you’re a parent or coach trying to teach proper throwing mechanics to young players, this article will be a great place to start.
We’ll go through the main steps in throwing and there are lots of video resources to follow along with as you go.
And, be sure to check out my FREE throwing program that’s based on fun and proper throwing skills for baseball and softball players. Learning how to play catch in an engaging, effective way is huge for new players!
VIDEO: Full Breakdown of How to Throw a Baseball
Still photos are great for breaking down individual sections in throwing mechanics, but definitely check out my video below on how to throw a baseball.
Remember: Footwork is crucial in throwing with higher velocity and accuracy, so don’t overlook footwork!
Basic Steps in Throwing a Baseball Harder
Let’s go through the basic steps in learning how to throw properly. Jump around to any step using the table of contents below:
If you want to learn how to throw a baseball faster, you’ll find that toward the end of this guide.
First: How to Hold & Grip a Baseball
This is an important step, because before you move on to throwing, getting the proper grip on the baseball will help the ball fly straighter and farther.
To do this, we want a four-seam grip on the ball any time the player has enough time to get it. Some times, when fielding and throwing right away (or on the run) the player will just throw it however he grabs it.
But when a player has more time, say on a hard-hit grounder or fly ball, he’ll have a little bit of time to fiddle with the ball and find the grip he wants. So, this is where practicing how to grip the baseball and find a 4-seam grip comes in handy.
Watch the video below to learn the proper way to hold a baseball for kids and adult players.
Once you’re comfortable with the grip, then move on to the footwork aspect, which will help any player throw a baseball farther and faster.
Step 1: “Funnel” The Ball to Your Center
This step is crucial, as “funneling” the ball to the middle of your body gives you a consistent starting point for the moments later when the throwing motion begins.
You begin by receiving a ground ball out in front or catching a ball thrown to your chest.
Then, you’ll funnel the ball to your center, moving it toward the belly button to absorb it. We want the throwing motion to begin from the same place each time, and the center is the starting point we want.
Step 2: Right Ankle Points to Target
If you’re a lefty thrower, then your left ankle will point to your target
This is a crucial step because if the ankle is not pointed to the throwing target, the hips will not be in a good line for the next step in the motion.
Step 3: Throwing Arm & Glove Arm Separate
As the rear foot slides around and begins to “stride” toward the target, the hands will separate. When the hands separate, the throwing hand will motion downward, slightly, while the glove arm will reach out and around, making a semi-circle before helping the upper body to rotate.
It’s important that the hands stay together–in the glove–until the rear foot begins to stride. Separating the hands too early causes the timing and rhythm of your throw to be off, and hurts throwing speed and accuracy.
Step 4: Rear Foot Strides Toward Target
The feet will make a line toward the target as the back foot strides toward it.
The hands will separate as the rear foot strides, leading to the landing position below. This is difficult to show in still photos, so watch my video on throwing mechanics to see how this works.
Step 5: Hips Rotate FIRST, Powering the Shoulder
The throw begins as the hips rotate. The glove arm helps to assist in this rotation.
The powerful rotation of the hips throws the throwing arm back into what is called “external rotation”, which a source of a significant amount of power to the throwing shoulder.
Step 6: Chest Moves Forward as Arm Accelerates
Throwing is a whole body motion, and as the upper body rotates, the chest will move slightly forward toward the throwing target.
Step 7: Arm Follows Through Down to Opposite Hip
After release of the ball, the arm should continue down to the opposite hip, allowing it plenty of “runway” to follow through and slow itself down.
A good follow through ends at the opposite hip and should loose and “whippy.”
How to Throw a Baseball Faster
As you get the basic steps down, a common question is, how can I throw a ball fast? Well, throwing a lot is the #1 way: improving your mechanics and getting used to the motion is critical. Nothing happens over night.
Common problems that prevent players from throwing fast are usually related to their footwork and landing too “open.” I address three common reasons pitchers lose throwing speed in the video below:
If you want to continue improving both your throwing accuracy and throwing speed, focus on your glove arm and footwork – getting more powerful rotation from the hips will make your throws faster.
Fielding Technique & Drills for Infielders
Beyond just the basic mechanics, “funneling” is very important. I touch on this in the video above but show it in slow motion in the video below.
Proper fielding technique is critical for improving throwing because it places the body in the proper positions early, all of which improve body positions later in the throwing motion.
The wall drills below are a great way to work on throwing and fielding on your own.
Advanced Throwing Mechanics for Infielders
Sidearm throwing is very important for baseball infielders because when charging the ball or throwing from the run, the fastest release and shortest arm action will come from a sidearm arm angle.
If you want to learn more about baseball positions and the demands of each one, check out my article here.
Throwing Mechanics for Pitchers
If you want to learn more about how to pitch, check out my detailed article on pitching mechanics here or watch the pitching video below.
In baseball, learning multiple positions is critical for beginners, as each position requires similar but slightly different skills. Learning the basics of pitching mechanics is a great way to continue to reinforce good throwing mechanics when a player is just starting out, learning how to throw a baseball.
How to Keep Improving Your Throwing
The biggest thing is putting in consistent practice – the more you throw, the better you’ll get. The body works thigns out on its own, and humans in general are good throwers.
And, be sure to download the Love Throwing program. Check it out below.
So, the more throws you make–of all types–the better you’ll get at understanding your own throwing mechanics.
But, stress good fielding technique first and do’t overlook the way you field the ball as “not part of the throwing motion.” Fielding mechanics should be considered part of the overall process in learning how to throw a baseball, so put in the work practicing your fielding.
Free Throwing Resources
Sign up for my free Pitchers Development checklist today–it comes with many other free bonus resources. And, check out my pitching book below, which has tons of drills, routines and other insight on pitching mechanics.
