Stop shot-putting and THROW the ball!

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Why ThrowFix™? After coaching six seasons of youth softball, I’ve learned that the “shot-putting” habit is both very common—and very tough to fix. Why? Well, I’m no kinesiologist, but I have a few ideas... First, for many young players, “shot-putting” or “pushing” the ball feels more natural. Keeping the throwing arm close to the body gives them a sense of control. As does being able to see the ball as it passes their face. Second, this style actually improves accuracy for short distances—think of throwing a dart. Third, a full, proper throw (arms spread wide in a “T” shape, followed by a whip-like, overhead motion) can feel like overkill when playing catch at close range—especially when their partner is also just learning to catch! But as players get older and need to make longer throws, “pushing” the ball no longer gets the job done. By this point, however, the habit is deeply ingrained—and many kids just “push harder” instead of changing their mechanics. So what to do? Unlearning a habit is often harder than learning a new one. And with so many other skills to practice—hitting, catching, fielding, baserunning—retraining a throwing motion can easily fall to the bottom of the list. Further, teaching a new throwing style can be extremely attention-intensive, meaning: without a coach or parent nearby to offer constant reminders, players can easily slip back into old throwing habits. Enter ThrowFix™. ThrowFix™ makes the “re-learning how to throw” process simpler, more effective, and even fun. 1. It “gamifies” the experience. Players have a tangible goal: hit the target with their fingers as they throw. When they do, they hear and feel it. Miss, and they don’t. Instant feedback. 2. It relieves the parent/coach burden. With ThrowFix™ providing tactile and auditory cues that promote a higher throwpath, adults can step back from being “Nag-in-Chief” and focus on other parts of player or team development. 3. It removes ambiguity. No more guessing how high the throwing hand should travel. When the ThrowFix™ Fence Mount is hung at eye level, the bottom of the target naturally hangs about 4–8 inches above the player’s head—a perfect height for reinforcing a proper overhead motion. So, will ThrowFix™ correct a “shot-putting” habit in one session? Possibly—but probably not. Like any skill, improvement takes repetition and practice. But before long, players will start throwing with a natural, fluid overhead motion—and that old habit will fade away. Enjoy, and good luck out there!