If you are a beginner in the game of horseshoes, the first thing you should do is learn how to throw them. If you’re a professional horseshoe thrower, it never hurts to brush up on the basics and get your game back on track. For the purposes of this article, we will assume that you are right-handed. If you’re left-handed, just apply everything in the opposite direction.

One key thing to remember when reading this is that horseshoes are just like any other skill in life. It takes practice to be accurate. So if you really want to develop this skill, be prepared to spend many hours practicing your pitch. Unlike many other sports, however, this game can be fun for everyone, even if you can barely hit the nail on the head!

So it’s time to pick up the horseshoe. But before you go and throw it on the pin, take a good look at how you’re holding it. What you want to do is hold the horseshoe on its side like an upside down “C”. Grasp the underside of the horseshoe so that the last knuckle of your fingertips is on the inside edge. This will allow the fingertips to curl up from the inside edge of the horseshoe. Your thumb will be on the flat side of the horseshoe so that the tip of your thumb meets the tips of your index and middle fingers.

The location of the grip should be approximately in the middle of the leg or shank of the horseshoe. This type of grip is called a 1 1/4 turn. This is one of the best grips to use for a beginner. This grip requires much less wrist movement than other types of grips. This allows the pitcher to focus more on the pitch than on wrist action, generally giving him more control. When throwing a horseshoe with the 1 1/4 spin, you want to let it have a little more speed during the throw. The best way to get a ring with this pitch is to have the horseshoe go in and hook the stake from the right side. He’ll be able to hook that stake right and help bring those ringers down shot after shot.

The most common mistake when throwing a horseshoe is forcing it to spin in the air. When thrown correctly, the horseshoe will do the work for you in the air. If you force it to spin, you will not only lose accuracy in your throw, but you will also cause unusual spin in the air that can cause the horseshoe to land on its side and roll. The goal here is to make the horseshoe land flat or “dead” around the stake.

Now that you have a grip on the horseshoe, it’s time to look at the swinging motion of your throwing arm. Hold the horseshoe directly in front of you at eye level and pointing at the stake. The position of your feet is really optional. You can stand with your feet together or with your left foot 6 to 8 inches behind your right foot. In either case, you want most of your weight to be on your right foot. As you begin your backswing, you should take the horseshoe and place it in an upright position (like shaking hands). The horseshoe should remain upright throughout the entire backswing. On your upward motion, as the horseshoe passes your right leg, bring the horseshoe back to level or horizontal position. Release the horseshoe when you return to a line between your eyes and the opposite stake. Keep your wrist locked and straight and release the horseshoe in a level position so it lands flat or “dead.”

Now, before you walk away here, we need to talk about the position of your feet during the throw. Regardless of how you started (feet together or left foot back), you should have a smooth transition of weight from right foot to left foot. When your backswing is at its peak, start to shift your weight and lead off with your left foot. As your upward movement begins past your knees, you should have most of your weight on your left leg. In this way, your arc is not solely dependent on your arm muscles, but also on the spring-loaded motion of your body and legs.

The most important part of your swing is the follow through. After you have dropped the horseshoe, continue your throw. You’ll end up with your right arm almost stretched out in the air and all your weight on your left foot. Just like any other sport or skill, tracking can make or break your shots.