Introducing Austin Wasserman & High Level Throwing®️
High Level Throwing®™ emphasizes movement through positions—not static holds—and trains proper sequencing using constraint-based drills and fluid patterning, rather than outdated, rigid drill setups .
Why “Wrist Flicks” Are a Problem
The old-school “wrist flick” drill encourages athletes to snap the wrist at release, assuming it builds backspin and velocity. But modern biomechanics (and High Level Throwing® teachings) show this is flawed:
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It promotes wrist-first movement, breaking the kinetic chain and reducing efficiency.
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It misaligns the hand at release, leading to inconsistent spin or unintended curve-like motion .
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It increases stress on the wrist and elbow by forcing isolated movement instead of coordinated timing across the body—leading to unnecessary risk of injury.
Wasserman’s dedicated “No Wrist Flicks” course directly challenges this approach, urging coaches to abandon drills that don’t reflect how elite athletes actually throw.
Why the “L Drill” Falls Short
The “L Drill” positions the arm statically at certain angles (like an “L” shape). But:
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Real throwing is fluid and continuous, not a series of paused snapshots.
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Static holds teach body positions that don’t match the natural arm pathway used by elite throwers .
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Coaches and throwers on forums widely condemn this drill, recommending Wasserman’s methods instead .
What To Do Instead: Pattern-Based Drills
The Water-Bottle Drill
Perhaps High Level Throwing's flagship patterning drill, the Water-Bottle Drill mimics the arm’s path by using the water’s fluidity as feedback:
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Hold a partially-filled bottle and move it slowly through the throw.
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Feel the water shift—this helps internalize proper arm sequencing and pathing.
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It teaches timing, reduces interference, and helps coordinate lower-body and upper-body actions.
I developed this drill after noticing throwing athletes didn’t intuitively understand proper arm movement. Using a water bottle helped them feel it—from shoulder to release—instead of forcing wrist flicks or L-positions.
Modern Principles of High Level Throwing®️
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Sequence through positions – lower body drives, shoulder rotation, trunk separation, arm path, then release—all in one fluid motion .
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Maintain hand-behind-the-ball – at release, the hand stays behind the ball to maximize spin axis and avoid cutting movements .
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Functional warm-up & prep – dynamic drills, medicine balls, and patterned throws, not static stretching or traditional wrist/L drills .
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Constraint Progressions – using drills and equipment (like the water bottle) to guide correct movement with intentional limitations.
Why This Matters: Performance & Prevention
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Efficiency & intent: Fluid, sequential motion hits target faster and more reliably.
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Velocity & accuracy: Proper release and arm path let athletes throw harder and more precisely.
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Injury reduction: By avoiding excessive wrist/elbow stress common in flick and L-drills, athletes stay healthier longer .
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Real-world relevance: Because elite throwers don’t pause in L-positions or snap wrists, teaching these outdated drills misleads athletes.
Coaching Tips: Implementing High Level Throwing®️
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Skip the flick and L-drills. Directly introduce the water-bottle drill and patterned, dynamic progressions.
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Use progressive drills—water bottle → towel toss → medicine ball → live throws—each building toward a full release.
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Focus on sequencing. Cue “legs → core → shoulder → arm” in teaching and feedback.
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Encourage awareness. Ask athletes to feel the water, the path, and the release—not force snaps.
Final Take
Wrist-flicks and L-drills are rigid, bio-mechanically unfounded approaches that break natural sequencing and can risk injury. Austin Wasserman’s High Level Throwing® promotes evolving mechanics: pattern-based, kinetic-chain-aligned, and intent-driven. Embrace tools like the Water Bottle Drill, dynamic warm-ups, and constraint training to help athletes throw stronger, more accurately—and with healthy arms.
For more info and resources, explore Austin’s e‑books, online courses, and clinics through HighLevelThrowing.com.