Short Arming

Short arming is a throwing flaw where a player fails to fully extend their arm back into the cocking position, producing a compact, "pushy" delivery with less power and accuracy. Instead of a full arm arc that generates a clean, whip-like release, the short-arm thrower bends the elbow too tightly and pushes the ball rather than throwing it.

What It Looks Like

A player who short-arms their throws will have:

• The elbow at or below shoulder level during the arm path (rather than up and behind the head)
• A compressed backswing, the ball barely gets behind the body
• A "pushing" motion at release rather than a pull-and-release snap
• Reduced velocity for the player's physical capability
• Inconsistent accuracy, often resulting in throws that tail off in unexpected directions

Why It Happens

Short arming is extremely common in youth players. Common causes include:

• Fear of overthrowing: players who have bounced balls in the past sometimes unconsciously shorten the motion to control the throw
• Rushing: in game situations with time pressure, players collapse their arm path to speed up the delivery
• Learned habit: some players simply never developed a full arm circle and default to a compact motion
• Arm fatigue or discomfort: a player experiencing arm soreness may short-arm to protect the shoulder or elbow

How to Fix It

Short arming is a mechanical habit, and it responds to targeted drill work:

• Long toss: throwing at extended distances forces a longer arm path because the push throw simply cannot reach the target
• Towel drill: holding a towel in the throwing hand and snapping it to simulate the extension forces the player to get the arm fully extended
• Arm path drills: walking through the throwing motion in slow motion, exaggerating the arm circle until the correct path becomes habitual
• "Thumbs to the ground, fingers to the sky": a cue for the hand break and initial arm movement that gets the elbow up and back

Address short arming early. As players age and face longer throw distances, the flaw becomes more limiting and more difficult to unlearn.