Sports that involve throwing a ball include baseball, softball, American football, basketball, handball, rugby, dodgeball, and water polo. In some, throwing is the main way to move or score with the ball; in others, it is one skill among several.
This guide explains how throwing works in each sport, which activities are best known for it, and how to tell a true throwing sport from one that mainly involves striking or kicking. A comparison table makes it easy to find a sport that fits your interests.
What sports involve throwing a ball?
The clearest examples are sports where players regularly throw a ball to a teammate, toward a target, or to put an opponent out. Baseball, softball, football, handball, rugby, dodgeball, and water polo all feature purposeful throws during normal play.
Basketball also involves passing the ball through the air and shooting it toward a hoop. However, a basketball shot is usually a push or launch rather than a conventional overhand throw. That distinction matters if you are looking for a sport centered specifically on throwing technique.
Some sports include a throw only in a particular situation. Soccer, for example, uses a throw-in to restart play after the ball crosses a sideline. Throwing is part of the rules, but it is not a central way to advance the ball.
How throwing works in popular ball sports
Baseball and softball
Players throw to pitch, make defensive plays, and return the ball to teammates. A pitcher throws toward a batter, while fielders throw to bases to try to record an out. Throwing accuracy and quick decisions matter because a poorly directed throw can give runners extra time to advance.
Softball shares many of these skills, though its pitching delivery is underhand. Fielders still make overhand throws in many situations. Both sports are strong choices if you want throwing to be a frequent, visible part of the game.
American and Canadian football
In American football, a forward pass is thrown from behind the line of scrimmage toward an eligible teammate. A quarterback usually makes the pass, but other players may throw in certain plays. Players also use shorter backward or sideways tosses, called laterals, to keep a play alive.
Canadian football also features forward passing and lateral plays. In both versions, throwing combines technique with timing: the passer must judge a teammate’s route, defenders’ positions, and the space available before releasing the ball.
Basketball and netball
Basketball players pass by pushing or tossing the ball to teammates, then try to score by shooting it into a hoop. Common passes include the chest pass, bounce pass, and overhead pass. Each helps move the ball through a different kind of defensive space.
Netball also depends on passing, but players cannot run while holding the ball. That restriction makes accurate throws and quick decisions especially important. Players pass to teammates to move into scoring range, and the permitted areas for each position shape how the ball travels.
Handball, rugby, and dodgeball
Team handball is built around throwing and catching. Players pass a small ball, move toward the opposing goal, and throw to score. Defenders try to block shots and disrupt passing lanes, so players often need to release the ball quickly.
In rugby, players pass the ball backward or sideways by hand; a forward pass is not allowed in ordinary play. The ball can also be kicked, so throwing is important but not the only way to move it. In dodgeball, players throw balls at opponents while avoiding incoming throws. The exact rules and ball types vary by league or school.
Water polo and throwball
Water polo players swim while controlling the ball, then pass or throw it toward teammates and the goal. Because players tread water while handling the ball, throwing accurately takes coordination as well as arm strength.
Throwball is a net sport in which players catch and throw the ball over a net rather than volleying it back with their hands. It is less widely known than volleyball, but it is a direct example of a sport where throwing defines how the ball moves.
Quick comparison: which sports rely most on throwing?
| Sport | How the ball is thrown | How central is throwing? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baseball or softball | Pitching and fielding throws | Very central | Players who enjoy accuracy and defensive plays |
| American or Canadian football | Forward passes and laterals | Central to passing plays | Players who like timing and tactical decisions |
| Team handball | Fast passes and shots at goal | Very central | Players who want frequent movement and throwing |
| Basketball | Passes and shots | Important, though shots are often pushes | Players who like quick passing and aiming |
| Rugby | Backward or sideways passes | One of several ball skills | Players who want running, contact, and passing |
| Dodgeball | Throws at opponents | Very central | Players who enjoy fast reactions and evasion |
| Water polo | Passes and shots while swimming | Very central | Confident swimmers who like team play |
| Soccer | Throw-ins to restart play | Limited | Players whose main interest is kicking and footwork |
What counts as a throwing sport?
There is no single rule that labels a whole sport a “throwing sport.” A useful way to judge is to ask how often players throw during ordinary play and whether throwing helps them advance, defend, or score.
- Throwing is central: Players depend on throws for major parts of play, as in handball, dodgeball, and baseball.
- Throwing is one major skill: The game also depends on other actions, as in football, basketball, and rugby.
- Throwing is occasional: The rules allow a throw in a limited situation, as with a soccer throw-in.
This distinction clears up a common misconception: a sport does not become a throwing sport simply because a player throws the ball once in a while. Look at what players do throughout the game, not just at a single restart or unusual play.
It also helps to separate throwing a ball from throwing an object. Shot put, discus, and javelin are throwing events, but athletes throw a metal ball or a specialized implement rather than a ball used in a team game. They are relevant if you mean throwing sports broadly, but they are not usually classed as ball sports.
How to choose a sport that includes throwing
The best fit depends on the kind of throwing you want to practice and the rest of the game around it. Use these steps to narrow your options:
- Decide how central throwing should be. Choose handball, baseball, softball, dodgeball, or water polo if you want to throw often. Consider soccer if you only want throwing to appear occasionally.
- Think about the setting. Water polo requires swimming. Baseball and softball use a bat and a field. Basketball and handball are commonly played on indoor courts.
- Consider the pace and contact. Football and rugby involve physical contact. Dodgeball and handball can be fast, while baseball has distinct turns at bat and in the field.
- Try a beginner session. A coach can show basic grip, body position, and safe release technique before you build speed or distance.
Basic throwing tips that apply across sports
Throwing technique differs by sport, but a few principles can help you start safely. Follow the rules and coaching instructions for your activity, since a baseball pitch, a handball shot, and a football pass are not interchangeable movements.
- Warm up first. Use easy arm movements and light throws before trying hard or long throws.
- Use your whole body. Depending on the sport, a throw may involve a step, trunk rotation, and coordinated arm movement, not just the shoulder.
- Build control before power. Aim for a comfortable target at a short distance, then increase force or range gradually.
- Pay attention to discomfort. Stop if throwing causes sharp or worsening pain rather than trying to push through it.
- Use suitable equipment. A ball that fits the sport and the player’s ability is easier to control than an unsuitable or overly heavy ball.
Most beginners make the same mistake: they try to throw harder before they can throw accurately. A controlled throw is more useful in most games because it reaches a teammate or target without creating an avoidable turnover. Learn the motion at a comfortable pace, then add speed as your control improves.
Which sports involve throwing a ball the most?
Handball, baseball, softball, dodgeball, and water polo all make throwing a frequent part of play. Football also relies heavily on throwing during passing plays, while basketball combines passing with shooting. Rugby uses throws to pass backward or sideways, but also depends on running and kicking.
If you want a straightforward starting point, try a beginner class or casual game in a sport that matches your preferred setting and pace. Focus first on safe, controlled technique; speed and distance can come later.