Overarm Throw

Most children will not instinctively know how to throw overarm efficiently. Throwing should be introduced towards the end of Kindergarten or in Pre-Primary. Children are not expected to have a fully developed overarm throw until Year 4.

Checklist of skill criteria:
- Eyes focused on target
- Stands side-on to target
- Weight on the rear foot
- Stepping forward on opposite foot to throwing arm
- Hips then shoulders rotate forward
- Follow through with throwing arm towards target
- The ball should be gripped with fingers like rabbit ears
Teaching Strategies
For beginners (at the emergent level of throwing skill development):
- Focus on skill criteria number 1, 2 & 4
- Use the teaching cues detailed below to help children visualise action
- Focus on distance over accuracy, place targets further away or have a net or other obstacle to throw over helps challenge children to develop force in their throw
- Encouraging children to throw over a net or piece of rope tied between two trees can also help
- Use small balls and beanbags balls that are easy for small hands to grip
- Use soft dome cones or star markers for children as a visual cue to step on to when throwing
- Help children identify their preferred arm if they are using both
- Place a chalk mark or other visual marker on foot which should be stepping forward
- Play games such as Ready, Aim, Fire and Clean up the Rubbish
For children at the developing level of throwing skill development:
- Work on the hip rotation and follow-through at this stage
- Start practicing without a ball and then place challenging targets to encourage hip rotation and follow through
- Play games such as Clean up the Rubbish and Bombard
For children at the acquired or accomplished level of throwing skill development:
- Try throwing on the run
- Introduce accuracy challenges
- Teach children how to do a crow hop before a throw
- Experiment with different throwing implements – nerf Rockets, foam javelins etc.
- Try games that employ some strategy - Golden Child, Race the Ball


Teaching Cues
- Ready: Stand like a surfer (side-on)
- Aim: Make a muscle man (throwing arm bent up above shoulder), Point non-throwing arm at target
- Fire: Step on the star (step with opposite foot onto star marker) and throw
Common Errors
- Standing front on to the target
- Stepping with the foot on the same side as the throwing arm
- No weight transfer
- No follow-through