Does Height Affect Throwing Distance? Unpacking the Truth

The Science Behind Height and Throwing

Okay, so here’s the deal — just the other day, I was arguing with my friend Jake at the park (we were tossing a football around), and he swore, “Tall people naturally throw farther.” And I went, “Hmm… is that really true?” So, of course, I had to dive into the science behind it.

In theory, height gives you longer limbs, which means a longer lever arm when throwing. Think of it like using a longer stick to catapult something — more leverage, right? But here’s where it gets messy: leverage alone doesn’t determine everything. Speed, strength, technique, and even timing all play huge roles.

Biomechanics: More Than Just Height

Lever length and release point

Yes, a taller person’s longer arms give them a higher release point, which can help when throwing for distance (the ball has more initial height, more time in the air). But if the shorter thrower has better arm speed or coordination, they can easily out-throw a taller opponent.

Jake and I tested this ourselves — he’s 6'2", I’m 5'9". Guess what? I was throwing farther that day because I’d played baseball for years, and he… well, let’s just say his throwing mechanics were a bit clumsy. So yeah, height helps, but only if paired with the right skills.

Strength and explosive power

This is where a lot of people get it wrong. Pure muscle strength (especially in the core, shoulders, and legs) has a massive impact. I used to think arm strength alone was the key — big mistake. Once I started doing rotational exercises and improving leg drive, my throwing distance shot up. Jake, on the other hand, kept relying just on arm whip and hit a plateau.

Sports Examples: Do Pros Prove the Rule?

Baseball and javelin athletes

Look at elite throwers: some are tall, but not all. For example, top javelin throwers are often around 6 feet — sure, not short, but they aren’t necessarily giants either. What sets them apart is refined technique and years of conditioning.

In baseball, you see pitchers of various heights. Yes, Randy Johnson (6'10") had incredible reach, but there are also shorter pitchers with insane velocity. So again, height helps but doesn’t guarantee dominance.

Surprising Factors That Matter More

Technique over raw height

Jake and I laughed about this: we both remembered younger kids in school who were short but could launch a ball impressively far. Why? Flawless technique. They knew how to shift their weight, time their release, and maximize spin. Height didn’t limit them one bit.

Flexibility and coordination

One thing I’ve underestimated myself: flexibility. If you’re stiff and can’t rotate well, you lose so much potential power. A shorter, more flexible person can out-throw a taller, rigid one — no contest. Trust me, I learned this the hard way after pulling a shoulder trying to “muscle” a throw.

Final Thoughts: It’s Not Just About Being Tall

When I started writing this, I half-believed Jake’s claim about height being the main factor. But now? I’m convinced it’s just one piece of a much bigger puzzle.

Sure, height gives mechanical advantages, but without speed, strength, coordination, and good technique, it doesn’t mean much. So, if you’re shorter and feeling discouraged — don’t be. Focus on training smart, refining your mechanics, and you might just surprise taller rivals.

So, tell me: have you ever felt like height held you back in sports? Or maybe you’ve crushed someone taller thanks to better skills? I’d love to hear your story — because honestly, this topic’s way more personal than I thought!

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.