UNDERHAND THROW MOVEMENTS FULL

Practicing throwing back and forth to another person is always wonderful, but you can also experiment with other targets. As child gains strength and comfort begin to decrease the size of the ball, encouraging child to manipulate ball with one hand at a time.

UNDERHAND THROW MOVEMENTS FULL

Initially a large ball is great to practice with it offers a bigger target, engages full body to hold and manipulate, and promotes the use of both hands to push forward. First dropping the ball and eventually being able to manipulate ball to throw. As child gains trunk and upper body strength they will now be able to hold and release ball. From the floor, encourage child to stand and hold ball. Allow child to gain comfort with the ball and understand its movement. O-ball is a great tool as it is lightweight, promotes bilateral grasp, easy manipulation with one hand, interlocking of fingers to hold and quick release. The best balls to practice rolling include musical balls, balls with rattles, and tactile balls. Also rolling a ball addresses visual tracking and hand eye coordination. Rolling back and forth to child teaches turn taking, cause and effect, and helps establish understanding of ball play. Throwing 10 ft Underhand (moving arm down and back using upper trunk rotation, arms & legs in opposition): 45-48 months.Hitting Target Overhand (from 5 feet away): 43-46 months.Hitting Target Underhand (from 5 feet away): 38-42 months.Throwing 10ft Overhand (moving arm up and back using upper trunk rotation, arms & legs in opposition): 38-42 months.Throwing Underhand with form (moving arm down and back, 7 ft in air): 29-36 months.Throwing Overhand with form (moving arm upward and back, 7 ft in air): 26-30 months.Throwing Underhand (throwing forward at least 3 feet in air): 23-26 months.Throwing Overhand (throwing forward at least 3 feet in air): 19-22 months.Throwing Ball (by extending arm at shoulder or elbow while maintaining balance): 15-18 months.Flinging Ball (throwing ball in any direction): 12-14 months.As with all developmental milestones motivation, participation and practice are key!

Throwing requires upper body strength, hand eye coordination, motor planning, and body/spatial awareness. Throwing is one of the ball play skill sets that we as Pediatric Physical Therapists address.

Underhand throw movements