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One-Knee Throws

Kneel to practice a high elbow and a strong follow-through with your upper body only.

By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026

Set up

Kneel on your throwing-side knee, 5 yards from a partner.

Core: Medium. Beat your own best out of 10.

Ages
7 and up
Time
8 min
Players
You and a partner
Space
Yard or field
Bring
Flag football, partner
Level · skill
Beginner · Throwing

The steps

How it works

  1. Kneel on your throwing-side knee, 5 yards from a partner.
  2. Lift your elbow to shoulder height.
  3. Throw and finish with your thumb pointing down.
  4. Make 20 throws, then switch knees for 10.

Coaching point

Elbow up, thumb down.

Safety: Warm up your arm first and stop if your shoulder or elbow hurts. Throw only where the area is clear.

Make it fun

Play it, don't drill it

Game version

Target-throw game: two teams of two take turns throwing to a hoop or net target. Each team counts only its own hits. Keep to your usual number of throws.

Challenge

Pick a distance: Less (close), Core (medium), More (a step back). Beat your own best out of 10.

Story

You are a quarterback hitting the open receiver in the final minute.

My best

Beat your own count

Beat your own best out of 10. Only your own number counts: today against last time.

Practice makes progress

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