Physical Development

My Toddler Can't Throw a Ball

Medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Chen, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Pediatrician

Content reviewed against published AAP, CDC, NIH guidelines

Editorial policy

Last reviewed:

Your baby's physical development is unique, and concerns about my toddler can't throw a ball, here is what you need to know.

The short answer

Throwing develops in stages. Most toddlers can throw underhand by 12-18 months and progress to an overhand throw by 18-24 months. Early throws are often more like dropping or pushing the ball. A true overhand throw with follow-through does not develop until around age 3-4.

Key takeaways

  • Throwing develops in stages. Most toddlers can throw underhand by 12-18 months and progress to an overhand throw by 18-24 months. Early throws are often more like dropping or pushing the ball. A true overhand throw with follow-through does not develop until around age 3-4.
  • Usually normal when: Your toddler is under 2 and throws are more like drops or pushes.
  • Call your doctor if: Your child has lost the ability to throw or has developed arm weakness.
  • Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
“Supervised tummy time is recommended daily from the time the baby comes home from the hospital to help prevent flat head syndrome and to strengthen neck and shoulder muscles.”
— Back to Sleep, Tummy to Play, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

Parents everywhere have the same worry. You are doing the right thing by looking into it.

What Parents Should Know

According to AAP, CDC, NIH guidelines, throwing develops in stages. Most toddlers can throw underhand by 12-18 months and progress to an overhand throw by 18-24 months. Early throws are often more like dropping or pushing the ball. A true overhand throw with follow-through does not develop until around age 3-4. At 12-18 months, early throwing at this age looks like dropping, pushing, or flinging a ball. Your toddler is learning to release objects voluntarily and aim in a general direction. These early throws may not travel very far, and that is perfectly normal. The important thing is that your child is practicing the release action. It is generally considered normal when your toddler is under 2 and throws are more like drops or pushes. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your child has lost the ability to throw or has developed arm weakness.

Sources: [1], [2], [3]

Normal vs. Concerning

Usually Normal
Worth Discussing
Your toddler is under 2 and throws are more like drops or pushes.
Your child has lost the ability to throw or has developed arm weakness.
Your toddler can throw but not accurately or very far.
Your child has pain or stiffness in their arms affecting all arm movements.
Your toddler throws underhand instead of overhand.
Your child is over 2.5 years and cannot throw a ball at all.
Your toddler is developing other arm coordination skills like feeding and stacking blocks.
Your child seems to have difficulty with arm coordination in general.

By Age

What to expect by age

12-18 months

Early throwing at this age looks like dropping, pushing, or flinging a ball. Your toddler is learning to release objects voluntarily and aim in a general direction. These early throws may not travel very far, and that is perfectly normal. The important thing is that your child is practicing the release action.

18-24 months

Most toddlers can throw a ball a short distance by now, though accuracy and distance are limited. Your child may throw underhand, overhand, or sideways. All of these are normal variations. If your child can release a ball and send it in the general desired direction, their throwing is developing normally.

2-3 years

Throwing should be improving in distance and coordination. Your child should be able to throw a ball overhand a few feet by age 2-3. If your child still cannot throw at all, consider whether they have opportunities to practice. If they have had practice but still cannot release and throw a ball, mention it to your pediatrician.

3-4 years

By age 3-4, most children have a recognizable overhand throw, though it may still lack power and accuracy. If your child cannot throw at all, evaluation of upper body strength and coordination may be helpful.

What to Tell Your Pediatrician

  • Describe when you first noticed my toddler can't throw a ball and how it has changed over time.
  • Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
  • Mention if your child is over 2.5 years and cannot throw a ball at all.
  • Mention if your child seems to have difficulty with arm coordination in general.
  • Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
  • Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.

What Should You Do?

When to take action

Probably normal when...
  • Your toddler is under 2 and throws are more like drops or pushes.
  • Your toddler can throw but not accurately or very far.
  • Your toddler throws underhand instead of overhand.
  • Your toddler is developing other arm coordination skills like feeding and stacking blocks.
Mention at your next visit when...
  • Your child is over 2.5 years and cannot throw a ball at all.
  • Your child seems to have difficulty with arm coordination in general.
  • Your child cannot release objects voluntarily.
Act now when...
  • Your child has lost the ability to throw or has developed arm weakness.
  • Your child has pain or stiffness in their arms affecting all arm movements.

What You Can Do at Home

  • Keep track of when you notice my toddler can't throw a ball — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
  • Remember that your toddler is under 2 and throws are more like drops or pushes — this is generally within the range of normal.
  • At 12-18 months, focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
  • Provide plenty of supervised floor time and tummy time to support your baby's physical development.
  • While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if your child has lost the ability to throw or has developed arm weakness.

My Toddler Can't Kick a Ball

Kicking a ball forward is a milestone that typically develops between 18 and 24 months. It requires balancing on one foot while swinging the other, which is a complex motor skill. If your toddler is under 2 and cannot kick yet, this is within the normal range. Most children are kicking a ball forward by age 2.

My Toddler Can't Catch a Ball

Catching is one of the most challenging ball skills and develops much later than throwing. Most toddlers cannot catch a thrown ball. Trapping a rolled ball against the body begins around 2-3 years, and catching a gently tossed ball with hands starts around age 3-4. This is a normal developmental timeline.

Poor Hand-Eye Coordination

Hand-eye coordination - the ability to use visual information to guide hand movements - develops gradually throughout infancy and toddlerhood. Babies begin by swiping at objects they see around 3 to 4 months and progressively become more accurate. It is normal for young children to be "clumsy" with their hands, and precision improves significantly with practice and brain maturation.

Milestone

Milestone Checklists by Age

Track your baby's developmental milestones from birth to 5 years with age-specific checklists.

Milestone

Month-by-Month Development

Detailed monthly development guides from birth through 24 months.

Guide

When to Call the Doctor

General guide on when to call the pediatrician, visit urgent care, or go to the ER.

Frequently asked questions

Is my toddler can't throw a ball normal?
Throwing develops in stages. Most toddlers can throw underhand by 12-18 months and progress to an overhand throw by 18-24 months. Early throws are often more like dropping or pushing the ball. A true overhand throw with follow-through does not develop until around age 3-4.
When should I call the doctor about my toddler can't throw a ball?
Your child has lost the ability to throw or has developed arm weakness. Your child has pain or stiffness in their arms affecting all arm movements.
When is my toddler can't throw a ball normal?
Your toddler is under 2 and throws are more like drops or pushes. Your toddler can throw but not accurately or very far. Your toddler throws underhand instead of overhand.
What causes my toddler can't throw a ball?
Throwing develops in stages. Most toddlers can throw underhand by 12-18 months and progress to an overhand throw by 18-24 months. Early throws are often more like dropping or pushing the ball. A true overhand throw with follow-through does not develop until around age 3-4. Common explanations include: Your toddler is under 2 and throws are more like drops or pushes.. Your toddler can throw but not accurately or very far..
What should I mention to my pediatrician about my toddler can't throw a ball?
You should mention my toddler can't throw a ball at your next visit if: Your child is over 2.5 years and cannot throw a ball at all.. Your child seems to have difficulty with arm coordination in general.. Your child cannot release objects voluntarily..
Is my toddler can't throw a ball normal at 12-18 months?
Early throwing at this age looks like dropping, pushing, or flinging a ball. Your toddler is learning to release objects voluntarily and aim in a general direction. These early throws may not travel very far, and that is perfectly normal. The important thing is that your child is practicing the release action.
Is my toddler can't throw a ball normal at 18-24 months?
Most toddlers can throw a ball a short distance by now, though accuracy and distance are limited. Your child may throw underhand, overhand, or sideways. All of these are normal variations. If your child can release a ball and send it in the general desired direction, their throwing is developing normally.
Should I go to the ER for my toddler can't throw a ball?
Seek emergency care if your child has lost the ability to throw or has developed arm weakness, or if your child has pain or stiffness in their arms affecting all arm movements. When in doubt, call your pediatrician's after-hours line for guidance.
Does my toddler can't throw a ball go away on its own?
In many cases, my toddler can't throw a ball resolves on its own, especially when your toddler is under 2 and throws are more like drops or pushes. By 3-4 years, by age 3-4, most children have a recognizable overhand throw, though it may still lack power and accuracy. If your child cannot throw at all, evaluation of upper body strength and coordination may be helpful.
AAPCDCNIH

References

  1. [1]American Academy of Pediatrics - Movement: 2 Year Olds AAP
  2. [2]CDC - Important Milestones: Your Child By 2 Years CDC
  3. [3]Gallahue DL, Ozmun JC. Understanding Motor Development: Infants, Children, Adolescents, Adults. McGraw-Hill. 2006 NIH

Doctor Visit Checklist

Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Toddler Can't Throw a Ball.

Things to mention

  • Describe when you first noticed my toddler can't throw a ball and how it has changed over time.
  • Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
  • Mention if your child is over 2.5 years and cannot throw a ball at all.
  • Mention if your child seems to have difficulty with arm coordination in general.
  • Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
  • Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.

Observations to share

  • Your child is over 2.5 years and cannot throw a ball at all.
  • Your child seems to have difficulty with arm coordination in general.
  • Your child cannot release objects voluntarily.

Urgent signs to report immediately

  • Your child has lost the ability to throw or has developed arm weakness.
  • Your child has pain or stiffness in their arms affecting all arm movements.

My notes

From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides

All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.

2,705 evidence-based guides6 authoritative medical sources5 medical advisory board members

Related Resources

Milestone ChecklistsEarly Intervention DirectoryDevelopmental ActivitiesBaby Tracker

Bottom line

Most cases of my toddler can't throw a ball are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your child has lost the ability to throw or has developed arm weakness.

Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.

Share:FacebookX

Was this page helpful?

Related Physical Concerns

My Toddler Can't Kick a Ball

Kicking a ball forward is a milestone that typically develops between 18 and 24 months. It requires balancing on one foot while swinging the other, which is a complex motor skill. If your toddler is under 2 and cannot kick yet, this is within the normal range. Most children are kicking a ball forward by age 2.

My Toddler Can't Catch a Ball

Catching is one of the most challenging ball skills and develops much later than throwing. Most toddlers cannot catch a thrown ball. Trapping a rolled ball against the body begins around 2-3 years, and catching a gently tossed ball with hands starts around age 3-4. This is a normal developmental timeline.

Poor Hand-Eye Coordination

Hand-eye coordination - the ability to use visual information to guide hand movements - develops gradually throughout infancy and toddlerhood. Babies begin by swiping at objects they see around 3 to 4 months and progressively become more accurate. It is normal for young children to be "clumsy" with their hands, and precision improves significantly with practice and brain maturation.

Should I Use Adjusted Age for My Preemie's Milestones?

Yes — for premature babies, developmental milestones should be assessed using adjusted (corrected) age, not chronological age, until at least 2 years of age. Adjusted age is calculated by subtracting the number of weeks your baby was born early from their actual age. For example, a 6-month-old born 2 months early would have an adjusted age of 4 months, and should be assessed against 4-month milestones. Most pediatricians use adjusted age for developmental assessment through age 2-3, and for growth charts through age 2.

Baby-Proofing a Small Apartment

Baby-proofing a small apartment is absolutely possible and focuses on the same key safety principles as any home: securing furniture to walls, covering outlets, locking cabinets with hazardous materials, and ensuring safe sleep spaces. Small spaces actually have an advantage - there is less area to monitor. Focus on eliminating the most dangerous hazards first: falls, poisoning, choking, and burns.

My Baby Seems to Use One Side More Than the Other

Babies should use both sides of their body fairly equally during the first 18 months of life. While slight preferences can be normal, a consistent pattern of favoring one side - using one arm much more than the other, crawling with one leg dragging, or turning the head predominantly one way - should always be discussed with your pediatrician. Early identification of asymmetry leads to the best outcomes.