Overarm describes a throwing or hitting motion where your arm swings forward from above your shoulder. When you throw a baseball overarm, your hand starts up high and comes down and forward in an arc, releasing the ball with power and speed. This is the natural way most people throw when they want distance or velocity.

In cricket, bowlers deliver the ball overarm, keeping their arm straight as it swings over their shoulder like a windmill. In swimming, the front crawl and backstroke use overarm strokes, where each arm reaches forward above the water before pulling through. Tennis players hit overarm serves by tossing the ball up and swinging their racket from high overhead.

The opposite is underarm (or underhand), where your arm swings forward from below your waist. You might roll a bowling ball underarm or toss a ball gently to a younger child underarm. Overarm motions generate more force but require more practice to control accurately. Softball pitchers famously use underarm pitching, while baseball pitchers use overarm throws that can exceed 100 miles per hour.