Throwing the baseball with a submarine or side-arm motion is an unusual delivery for pitchers. According to former baseball pitcher Steven Ellis, side-arm motions allow for greater movement, help pitchers keep the ball low and are more difficult for hitters to adjust to. Professional baseball coach Bud Black said he believes that throwing with a submarine motion is actually more natural than throwing the ball with the standard overhand delivery.
Step 1
Use a standard arm motion to begin your delivery. After your hands separate, your throwing hand should make an arc from the break point to your back hip and then up until the ball faces directly behind you and your elbow forms a 90-degree angle.
Step 2
Dip your throwing shoulder as you turn your hips to complete the motion. Instead of being level, your back shoulder should dip about 45 degrees so your elbow is below your shoulder as you prepare to release the ball.
Step 3
Keep your fingers and hand on top of the ball as you release and throw just as you would during a standard delivery. Keeping your fingers on top allows you to get more movement and help prevent injury. According to Ellis, not keeping the fingers on top of the ball can make you throw uphill and put more stress on your elbow.
Step 4
Follow-through just as you do during a standard motion by bringing your arm across your body to your opposite hip. Side-arm throwers have a tendency to short-arm the ball or stop their follow through before the delivery is complete. This practice can reduce velocity and Ellis notes that it can also lead to elbow injuries.
Things You'll Need
- Baseball
- Baseball glove
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