1. It Takes the Entire Body
Most people think that throwing overhand in baseball is about the arm and little else. In reality, to make a correct overhand throw the player must use his entire body on the throw. From the head to the toes, each has a part in a proper throw. Part of the power and accuracy comes from the legs and position of the feet. You must keep your shoulders square to the target and rotate the hips through the overhand throw. The head is up and looking at the target until the release of the baseball. The body acts in concert to get a strong and accurate overhand throw.
2. Grab That Baseball
The grip determines the control a person has over the baseball on the overhand throw. If your grip is too loose or too tight, it can cause an over or under-throw of the intended target. Pretend you are shaking hands with the baseball--you would not want to crush someone with a grip, but you also you do not want a loose or limp handshake. The most efficient grip placement is across the seams of the baseball. The seams are a point of traction and allow you to get the proper leverage to make a good overhand throw. Keep the baseball out towards the fingertips as well and not toward the palm of your hand.
3. It's in the Wrist
As you bring the baseball back for the throw make sure to angle the wrist. If a player has a stiff wrist, this will limit the overhand throw's accuracy and distance. A good exercise for this is to practice throwing the baseball with only the wrist. Grab the ball and cock your wrist back, then with the other hand hold the forearm straight and only use the wrist to throw the baseball. This will give you the necessary control and comfort with the proper wrist motion on the throw.
4. Call to Arms
The correct overhand throwing motion should resemble a circle. The size of this circle will depend on the distance of the throw, the longer the throw the larger the circle. Once you take the ball out of the glove, the motion begins at the back of your knee for the longer throws. If the throw is shorter, the staring point may be just outside your glove at the waist. The lower on the body you start the throw, the larger the circle will be. Remember to keep the hand on top of the baseball.
5. Put Your Shoulder into it
When you are utilizing a proper overhand throw, you are going to want to point the front shoulder in the direction of the target. As you prepare for the throw turn your body sideways, plant on the back foot and keep the shoulder closed until you start the throw. As you throw the baseball, bring the throwing shoulder forward and the front shoulder back as you rotate your hips through the throw. Remember to bring the arms all the way through the throw and back to the original starting position.
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