How do I teach my daughter to throw a ball?

Question

I'd like to find a good, fundamental method for teaching my daughter to throw a ball. She's 5, and very interested in playing catch with Daddy. I don't want to teach her any bad habits.

Answer 1

Out of sheer safety, the first step is to get safe equipment.

One of the keys is to go ahead and use a Tennis ball or some type of "NERF" Football.

Find other balls which are gradually harder and harder. As she becomes more professient with catching then you can throw heavier and harder balls...ultilmately you will be able to increase the velocity of your throws.

The key to throwing (playing catch) is for her to learn to catch the ball safely.

Here's a tip...in order to focus on the ball, ask her a question. In otherwords don't tell her to watch the ball into the glove, but rather ask her to tell you the direction of the ball rotation when it hits the glove?

This will automatically get her to look at the ball.

As for throwing, find a wall and put up a variety of targets. Instead of simple catch, get her some other things to throw at. Reward her, at different levels for the increased success.

Get comfortable with having fun at age 5. Teach very basic technique, nothing grand. Is she hitting the wall? Is she throwing in the direction she is intending...even if the ball goes 100 feet wide? Can she tell you how the ball is rotating? Using a Nerf Football, can she (On occassion) throw a spiral or something close to one?

Here's the big question...does she enjoy "playing catch" to the point that she is asking you to play catch, or are you having to convince her that she wants to do this? Always check the motivation of the child...

Answer 2

that is so nice that she wants to play catch with you, I remember playing catch with my dad. and 28 years later I still am. I do have a question for you, do you think she is going to want to play softball when she is a little older? I began at age 6 as a catcher..I ask this because you may want to think about teaching her to pitch? Who knows she may be the next Jennie Finch!! I am not advocating pushing her or anything, but my younger sister was a pitcher and I a catcher my dad coached for my team my mom hers, and I remember a childhood full of fun and spending summers with my family even through high school. It was a bonding experience I will always treasure.

Don't worry so much on technique right now, let her have fun and see how she feels the most comfortable, I throw overhand whereas my sister throws side arm. the most important thing is the bonding you two are creating anyway, even if she never plays organized sports that will always be there with you and her!!

Answer 3

Y don't u get a coach for like 30 minutes or tell her to bring the hand that throws the ball about as far as her head and throw it by bringing it around and letting go let her catch on and help her out along the way

Answer 4

just let her have fun now... bad athletic habits are not learned at age 5... she'll eventually either figure out the right way to throw by watching enough people (incluidng you, of course!) or by just 'stumbling' upon the right way all by herself... Once she learns the 'right' way, it won't be long before it's second nature to her.

when i was around that age (five or six) I got my first glove...only thing was, it was a lefty glove (since I already established that I wrote left handed, my folks assumed I would throw left handed as well)... I 'learned' to throw and catch with a left handed glove, even though that wasn't my strong hand...

Once we determined that I actually threw right handed, I got a right handed glove, and had no problems 're-learning' how to throw...

There's certainly no problem with you showing her and teaching her the correct way to throw right now... but as I said, athletic habits aren't learned at age 5.... she'll get it eventually... meanwhile, just enjoy the fun of it all!

I'm guessing that she's your or only child (or at least, your oldest)? Otherwise, you could bring an older sibbling in to work with her as well...

Answer 5

You make your body like a T or a Cross with your arms out. Point with the opposite foot of your throwing hand in the direction you want the ball to go. Aim with the hand that isn't throwing and throw with your other arm. Then just release.

Answer 6

teach her the basics (elbow above shoulder, etc.) and demonstrate yourself and then just let her have fun now but when shes like 8 then you can start teaching her the correct way and making adjustments to her throw.

Answer 7

If shes right handed tell her to put her left foot out

Answer 8

throw one at her head and she'll learn

Answer 9

just teach her

Answer 10

warequalspeace has it. He knows what he's talking about.