For tossing or flicking the medicine ball up or without pulling under in a medicine ball clean, which practice is described?

• A. Hold the ball at the peak of the shrug to practice the pull-under.
• B. Stand in front to block curling.
• C. Cue “Elbows high and outside!”
• D. Have the athlete hold the ball without the fingers, using palms or fists only.

Answer: (D)

The technique being tested focuses on how grip and hand position influence the flight and catch of a medicine ball during a clean, especially when practicing a toss or flick without pulling the ball under. By having the athlete hold the ball with palms or fists only, the drill removes reliance on finger grip and encourages the ball to stay more in contact with the flat part of the hand rather than being hugged or curled by the fingers. This promotes a quicker, more vertical up-toss and reduces the tendency to pull the ball under or into a catch, since the fingers aren’t contributing to control and the effort comes from the arms, wrists, and the body’s drive.

This approach isolates the initial up motion and ball trajectory, helping the athlete feel a clean release and a straight path upward. The other cues and drills address related aspects (such as where the elbows go or how the pull-under feels) but don’t specifically focus on eliminating finger involvement to practice a pure toss or flick without pulling under.