They're getting bigger

[DownTownTonyBrown]

In the past I've had some difficulties with my toss. Used to do a two handed toss and it worked well until carpal tunnel surgery on one hand - seemed to disrupt the strength balance between my hands. So then I went to a one handed push. It didn't work well. It was my surgery hand and I ended up with a bunch of them recalled - thanks partner. Jumpers seemed to anticipate my toss and would tap it on the way up. Then I got my funny bone nailed one time - it only burned for a quarter...

So now I use a new method.
Standing slightly away from the jumpers, probably at least 3 feet from the very center, with my lead (right) foot forward, splitting the angle between the jumpers, I bounce the ball very firmly with two hands. I continue bouncing until I get what I feel is a nice straight bounce. Usually this takes at least two if not three bounces. On this last bounce, still with two hands, I guide the ball up on a parabola so it will drop between the jumpers. I'm watching the bounce motion, concentrating on where I want the ball to land (as if it wasn't tapped), and I don't look up at the flight of the ball until it is gone.

It has been working very well. Nice and straight between the jumpers. The jumpers don't anticipate the up motion so I'm able to get the ball up above them for a tap on the way down. And I haven't been hit or kicked!

It took a little work and practice to devise this method. But is sure beats getting clobbered or having your partner recall your toss. With the one handed deal, to start one of my games, I had a partner call back my toss twice. And rightly so, they were terrible tosses. Third toss was mediocre to acceptable - an ugly way to start a game. It was time to change methods.

[Edited by DownTownTonyBrown on Dec 9th, 2004 at 11:39 AM]