The underhand toss is important in many sports and recreation venues. It is most notably used in softball, which employs both slow-pitch and fast-pitch underhand throws at various levels of competition. The underhand toss is also sometimes used in baseball and is the primary throwing method in recreational sports like the beanbag toss. Throwing an object underhanded requires proper technique to throw accurately. The softball technique provides a good example.
Swing the Arm Freely
The best way to ensure an accurate throw is by letting the arm hang loosely, even when being swung underneath the shoulder for the throw. Ideally, you should try to position the arm to be as close to completely vertical as possible when it is swinging through and about to release the ball. This enables the ball's momentum to move straight toward your target. The minimized lateral motion makes it less likely that the ball will travel off course to the left or right. It takes time to learn how to swing your arm with strength while following the course of your momentum, but over time it greatly improves your accuracy.
Step With Your Opposite Foot
Many young athletes learning how to throw underhanded make the mistake of stepping forward with the foot on the same side as their throwing arm. This can create an imbalance in your body's positioning that is likely to throw your toss off course. By stepping with your opposite foot, you can remain balanced and move forward evenly as you toss and release the ball. According to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, the proper step is a more important fundamental to teach than an accurate throw, since poor footwork hinders your throwing abilities until it is corrected.
Focus Throughout
Throughout the entire throw, from the windup to the follow-through, your eyes should be trained on the target you are throwing toward, whether it's a catcher's mitt or a beanbag basket. Your aim will naturally guide itself to the location your eyes are targeting, and wandering eyes can produce unsteady throws. Additionally, you should be sure to follow through on each toss, with the arm finishing with a short upward follow-through toward the target.
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