How to Throw an Object at a 45-Degree Angle

For an athlete, various situations may require you to throw an object at a 45-degree angle. Perhaps you're a novice javelin thrower, or maybe you're an outfielder throwing the ball all the way to home plate. You might be a quarterback throwing a ball to a streaking wide receiver as a Hail Mary pass, or perhaps you're a soccer goalie tossing the ball deep down the field to a midfielder. A 45-degree pass isn't always the right choice; it has a lot of hang time, giving defenders a chance to get in position, as can happen in a football play. A successful 45-degree angle throw will have the object travel exactly between a horizontal trajectory-- parallel to the ground -- and a vertical trajectory-- perpendicular to the ground.

Instructions

    • 1

      Get into an athletic stance. Place your feet approximately shoulder-width apart.

    • 2

      Turn to the side by lining yourself up with your target. If you are right-handed, stand so that you are glancing at the target by turning your head directly to the left. If you are left-handed, stand so that you can view the target by turning your head to the right.

    • 3

      Visualize the path the object will take through the air to reach the target. Limit your viewing angle to the area from the ground to the sky directly above you, eyeing the imaginary line that extends between you and the target.

    • 4

      Dip your back shoulder and raise your front shoulder slightly, bringing your right arm back and into throwing position. Eye the invisible line that perfectly bisects the ground and the sky, swinging your arm through in a throwing motion. Release the ball, pole or other object, and follow through. Abruptly stopping your arm's motion could cause the ball to lose velocity and may injure your arm or shoulder.