How to Throw a Cylinder

Are you interested in pottery but unsure how to throw a cylinder? Throwing a cylinder is an essential skill for any potter and can be a great way to begin your journey in the world of ceramics.

Throwing a cylinder with accuracy and distance takes practice, but with the right technique, you’ll be impressing your friends at the park in no time. While casually lofting a can or rolling a bottle may seem simple, there is an art to the motion that generates power and control.

In this post, I’ll follow the exact steps to consistently heave a cylinder 30 or more feet through the air with little effort. From how to hold it, to timing your release, to practicing your form – if you learn and apply these tips, you’ll be tossing cylinders like a pro. Let’s get started with the basics.

What Will You Need?

Before jumping into the steps, let’s go over what you’ll need to throw a cylinder:

1. A cylindrical object such as a bottle or can
2. An open space with enough room for throwing and catching
3. Good grip and hand-eye coordination

Now, let’s dive into the steps to perfect your cylinder toss.

10 Easy Steps on How to Throw a Cylinder:

Step 1: Hold the Cylinder

Start by gripping the cylinder with your dominant hand in a tight fist. Your thumb should be on top, and your fingers should be wrapped around the bottom half of the object. Keep your arm slightly bent at the elbow, and hold it close to your body. This initial position is crucial for control and power in your throw.

Step 2: Position Your Body

Your body position plays a vital role in throwing a cylinder effectively. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, with your non-dominant foot slightly ahead of your dominant foot. This stance gives you balance and allows you to use your whole body in the throw, not just your arm. Keep your knees slightly bent and your body centered over your feet. Aim to keep your weight evenly distributed between both feet throughout the throw.

Step 3: Aim Your Throw

Before you throw, it’s essential to take a moment to aim. Fix your gaze on where you want the cylinder to go. This aiming process is crucial to achieving accuracy in your throw. To help with aiming, you could visualize a path from your hand to the target point. Maintaining a strong focus on your target can significantly improve your accuracy.

Step 4: Prepare to Throw

As you prepare to throw the cylinder, draw your dominant arm backward, keeping your elbow bent and your wrist flexed. This backward motion, known as the “wind-up,” is crucial in building momentum for your throw. Your other hand can be used for balance, extending to your side or in front of you. Remember to keep your eyes on your target throughout this process.

Step 5: Execute the Throw

Now comes the moment of the actual throw. Swiftly swing your arm forward, releasing the cylinder when your hand reaches its highest point. Ensure that your grip is firm until the moment of release, and aim to have the cylinder leave your hand in a straight line towards your target. Your other hand should follow through, pointing towards your target. The power for the throw should come from your arm and torso, not just your wrist. Remember, accuracy and control in the release are key to a successful throw.

Step 6: Follow Through

After releasing the cylinder, it’s crucial not to stop your arm abruptly. Instead, allow it to follow through naturally in the direction of your throw. This follow-through helps maintain accuracy and prevents potential injuries from an abrupt halt. Think of it as a continuation of the throwing motion, flowing smoothly from the point of release. Your arm should extend towards the target, with your body naturally rotated to follow the throw.

Step 7: Practice Regularly

Like any new skill, mastering throwing a cylinder requires regular practice. Set aside dedicated time each day to practice your throws. Focus on precision and consistency before trying to increase power or distance. Remember, exercise isn’t just about repeating an action; it’s about mindful repetition with the intention of improvement. By incorporating feedback from each throw, you will progressively refine your technique and improve your accuracy and distance.

Step 8: Analyze and Adjust Your Technique

After a few practice throws, take a moment to reflect on your technique. Are your throws landing accurately? Are they reaching your desired distance? If not, consider what adjustments can be made. Perhaps you need to strengthen your grip, adjust your aim, or generate more power during your wind-up. Keep going even if your initial throws aren’t perfect. Learning how to throw a cylinder effectively involves troubleshooting and adapting your approach. Remember, even the most skilled throwers continuously analyze and adjust their techniques.

Step 9: Strengthen Your Arm and Core Muscles

While technique is crucial, your physical strength also significantly affects how well you can throw a cylinder. Strengthening exercises focusing on your arm, shoulder, and core muscles can greatly enhance your throwing power and control. Incorporate exercises like push-ups, pull-ups, planks, and dumbbell lifts into your fitness routine. Remember, a stronger body will improve your throwing distance and reduce the risk of injuries.

Step 10: Enjoy the Process

Finally, remember to enjoy the process. Throwing a cylinder can be a great way to unwind, enjoy the outdoors, and engage in physical activity. It’s not just about mastering the skill but about the journey of learning, adapting, and improving. Keep a positive mindset, be patient with your progress, and celebrate your improvements.

By following these ten steps, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the art of throwing a cylinder.

5 Additional Tips and Tricks

1. Start with Symmetrical Clay – Ensure your clay is centered on the wheel head before you begin. This can improve the spinning and make it easier to shape the clay into a cylinder.
2. Maintain Even Pressure – Keeping your hands steady with consistent pressure is vital. Uneven pressure can make the cylinder walls uneven, leading to the piece collapsing.
3. Don’t Pull Too Fast – Do it slowly and steadily when lifting the clay to form the cylindrical shape. Pulling too quickly can cause the clay to thin out and tear.
4. Keep the Clay Wet – Keep your clay well-lubricated with water to prevent friction and sticking. Too much friction can make the clay more challenging to shape and may result in a rough surface.
5. Cutting Off the Cylinder – When you’re satisfied with the shape of your cylinder, cut it off from the wheel head using a wire tool or a string. Make sure to do this carefully to avoid disturbing your piece.

With these additional tips and tricks, you can take your cylinder-throwing skills to the next level. Remember to practice and experiment with different techniques to find what works best for you.

5 Things You Should Avoid

1. Avoid Starting with Hard Clay: Hard clay can make throwing more challenging. If you’re working with hardened clay, try to soften it first to make the shaping process more accessible.
2. Don’t Rush: Throwing a cylinder takes time and patience. Rushing through the process can lead to mistakes, such as uneven walls or a crooked shape.
3. Avoid Ignoring the Base Thickness: Be cautious about the thickness of the bottom of your cylinder. Too thin and it might collapse; too thick and it won’t hold its shape well.
4. Avoid Using Dry Hands: Dry hands can stick to the clay and cause friction. Make sure your hands are well lubricated with water when shaping the cylinder.
5. Don’t Neglect Regular Practice: Throwing a cylinder is complex and requires regular exercise. Avoid long breaks between your throwing sessions to keep your skills sharp and your understanding of the process straightforward.

Avoiding these common mistakes can improve your cylinder throwing technique and create more consistent and visually appealing pieces.

How Do You Throw a Tall Cylinder?

Throwing a tall cylinder requires some additional techniques and considerations:

1. Start with More Clay: When throwing a taller piece, it’s best to start with more clay than you would for a shorter cylinder.
2. Use the Support of Your Non-dominant Hand: As you pull up the walls of the cylinder, use your non-dominant hand to support the clay from the outside. This can help keep the walls even and prevent them from collapsing.
3. Gradually Widen the Base: As you pull up the walls, gradually widen the base of your cylinder by gently pressing outwards with your fingers.
4. Use a Rib Tool for Support: For taller cylinders, it may be helpful to use a rib tool to support the walls and create a smoother shape.
5. Practice, Practice, Practice: Throwing tall cylinders takes time and practice. Keep going even if your first few attempts turn out differently. Keep practicing and experimenting with different techniques until you find what works best for you.

Through consistent practice and implementing these tips, you can master throwing a tall cylinder and creating impressive pieces that showcase your skills.

Conclusion

In conclusion, how to throw a cylinder takes time, practice, and patience. But as you continue to perfect your techniques, it becomes a therapeutic and rewarding experience. Always start with a solid foundation by wedging your clay and centering it correctly on the wheel. Use your body and take advantage of the centrifugal force as you pull up to create the walls of your cylinder.

Feel free to experiment with different hand positions and pressure until you find what works best for you. Most importantly, keep going if your first few attempts turn out differently than you envisioned – even experienced potters have off days!

Remember that no two cylinders are alike, so embrace the uniqueness of each one you create and always strive for improvement instead of perfection.