Pokémon Go Excellent Throw: Easy Guide & Pro Tips to Make It

Catching Pokémon is one of the most exciting parts of Pokémon GO. However, for many new trainers, it's all too common to miss Pokémon that appear nearby and burn through PokéBalls in the process. On top of that, leveling up or completing special research tasks often requires landing multiple Excellent Throws, which can feel downright impossible at first.

But don't worry - this is a skill that absolutely can be learned with the right tips, tricks, and practice routines. In this guide, I'll break down exactly how to get an Excellent Throw in Pokémon GO, share my favorite strategies and tools for practicing - all so you can start catching like a pro.

Part 1. Why Does Pokémon Go Excellent Throw Matter

Let's start with the basics. Why should you even care about getting an excellent Pokémon GO throw?

It's not just for bragging rights - though hitting that glowing "Excellent!" pop-up does feel great. The real reason is that Excellent Throws directly impact three major parts of the game:

• Massive XP Bonus for Leveling Up: Excellent Throws give the highest XP reward (1000 XP) out of all throw types. When paired with a Lucky Egg, that bonus XP stacks fast with 4x or even 8x and you can level up fast - especially during Spotlight Hours, Community Days, or mass-catching sprees.
• Higher Catch Rate = Fewer Escapes = Saving PokéBalls: The smaller and more centered your throw is inside the shrinking target ring, the higher your catch multiplier. And Excellent Throws give you the best possible boost to catching tough Pokémon, including high CP wild spawns, low catch-rate species like Axew or Gible.
• Required for Research Tasks and Evolutions: Many Field Research and Special Research steps specifically require Excellent Throws, and sometimes even three in a row - a tough task if you haven't practiced. Certain evolutions like evolving Galarian Farfetch'd into Sirfetch'dalso rely on this skill.

So, what counts an Excellent Throw and the specific rewards? Here's a breakdown of all types of Pokémon Go throw and their bonus and requirements:

Pokémon Go Throw Type	Catch Rate	XP Rewards	Requirement
Excellent Throw	1.7x - 2x	1000 XP	The PokéBall hits in the small colorful circle, typically around the eyes or nose.
Great Throw	1.3x - 1.7x	100 XP	The PokéBall hits in the middle colorful circle, nearly around the head.
Nice Throw	1x - 1.3x	20 XP	The PokéBall hits in the large colorful circle, covering the whole body.

Part 2. How to Get An Excellent Throw in Pokémon Go in 5 Mins

Now that you understand why Excellent Throws are so important, let's dive into how to make excellent throws in Pokémon Go - quickly and consistently. With the method below, you'll be able to hit your first Excellent Throw in under 5 minutes.

Here's the step-by-step technique that seasoned trainers (myself included!) swear by:

Step 1 Start the Encounter and Hold the PokéBall

As soon as you enter a wild Pokémon encounter, you'll notice a colored target ring that shrinks and resets over the Pokémon. Tap and hold the PokéBall - but don't release it yet. This lets you observe the ring size without throwing the ball.

Step 2 Let the Circle Shrink - Then "Lock" It

While still holding the PokéBall, watch the colored ring shrink. Your goal is to let the ring shrink to Excellent size - that's the smallest ring, usually just around the Pokémon's head, or even smaller, around the eyes and nose.

Once the ring is that small, lift your finger off the screen without throwing. The Poké Ball will return to your hand, but here's the trick: The ring stays locked at that exact size - it won't shrink again.

Step 3 Wait for the Pokémon to Attack

This is where patience pays off.

Wait for the Pokémon to make an attack - like jumping, roaring, or moving its arms. This is the perfect throwing window because it won't dodge your throw while it's mid-animation.

Now comes the patient part. Wait for the Pokémon to perform an attack animation - jumping, flapping, tail whipping, etc. This is actually your best opportunity to throw because the Pokémon won't be able to dodge while it's mid-animation.

Step 4 Throw a Curveball Just After the Attack

As the Pokémon is finishing its attack and starting to return to its neutral pose, quickly spin your PokéBall to activate a curveball (you'll see sparkles). Then swipe diagonally toward the center of the fixed target circle.

Aim carefully - the ball should land just as the animation ends, before the Pokémon has time to jump or attack again.

If you hit it right, you'll see that sweet "Excellent!" pop up - along with your boosted XP and higher catch chance!

🔁 Key Point: Build Up From Nice to Great to Excellent Throw in Pokémon Go

Don't stress if you don't hit Excellent right away. Instead, start with Nice and Great Throws to get used to the angle, speed, and release point.

Different Pokémon need different throwing gestures based on:

• Their distance from the screen
• Their size and hitbox
• Their movement or attack patterns

As you get more experienced, you'll develop muscle memory and know how to get an excellent throw in Pokémon Go deeply. Eventually, you'll be able to read the attack timing, throw PokéBall at proper speed and angle, and land Excellent Throws naturally - even without waiting.

Part 3. More Tips for Excellent Throw Pokémon Go

Once you've learned the basics of the Set Circle technique of how to make an excellent throw in Pokémon Go, it's time to improve your consistency. Landing a Pokémon GO Excellent Throw doesn't just rely on timing - it also depends on how well you understand your target, your throw style, and even your device settings.

Here are some proven tips for Excellent Throws in Pokémon GO, based on years of hands-on experience and countless Poké Balls thrown.

Tip 1: Practice on Larger or Closer Pokémon First

When you're learning how to make Excellent Throws in Pokémon GO, start with Pokémon that are easier to hit. Some have larger hitboxes or appear closer to the screen, giving you more room to aim and build up confidence. Here are some great Pokémon to practice on:

• Bulky wild spawns that are large and stay relatively still: Snorlax, Wailmer, Slaking, Ledyba, Tauros, Bouffalant, Hariyama
• Community Day Pokémon: These spawn frequently during events, giving you dozens of practice shots on the same species.
• Legendary and Mythical Raid Bosses: Pokémon like Kyogre, Reshiram, Articuno, or Scorbunny often have larger rings and slower movement patterns, making them ideal for honing your technique.

Tip 2: Adjust AR Mode to Fit Your Style

One small setting can make a big difference in your throwing performance - AR Mode.

Option 1. Turn AR Mode OFF (Recommended for Beginners): With AR mode off (the default), the Pokémon stays centered on your screen in a consistent position. This makes it easier to aim and predict movement, which is key when learning Excellent Throws.

Option 2. Try AR+ Mode (For Advanced Players): Some trainers prefer AR+ for the added depth and angle control, especially on tablets or larger phones. It lets you physically move around for a more natural throwing motion - though it does require more precision.

Tip 3: Use Berries to Control the Encounter

Berries don't just boost catch rates - they can actually help you set up better throws.

Nanab Berries: These calm Pokémon by reducing their movement and attacks. If you're dealing with jumpy Pokémon like Zubat, Mankey, or Yanma, a Nanab will make them more predictable - perfect for lining up that Excellent Throw in Pokémon Go.

Razz Berries & Golden Razz Berries: These increase catch chance and pair beautifully with an Excellent Curveball for maximum efficiency. Use them when you don't want to risk losing high-value targets like Legendaries, starters, or rare spawns (Abra, Snivy, etc.).

Part 4. How to Practice Pokémon Go Excellent Throw More Conveniently

As with any skill in Pokémon GO, mastering the Excellent Throw is all about practice. The more you throw, the more natural your timing and accuracy will become. But what if you're struggling to find good Pokémon to practice on - or you're trying to conserve PokéBalls?

That's where TunesKit Location Changer comes in - one of the best tools I've found for making Excellent Throw practice both efficient and accessible. This GPS spoofing tool lets you virtually change your location in Pokémon GO, so you can instantly move to a Pokémon nest, high-density spawn zone, or event hotspot - right from the comfort of your home. Perfect for trainers who want to level up their throwing skills without wasting time (or balls) walking around.

Here's how to get an excellent throw in Pokémon Go more conveniently with TunesKit Location Changer:

Step 1 Click the "Try It Free" button above to download TunesKit Location Changer on your computer. Launch the software and connect your iPhone or Android device.

Step 2 Follow the on-screen setup instructions to configure your device for virtual location changes. Then, choose Pokémon GO as the app you'll be using, and wait for the map interface to load on your computer and the game to launch on your phone.

Step 3 Enter the coordinates of a known Pokémon nest (or any area with frequent spawns) into the search box. Then click "Start Modifying" to instantly update your GPS location in-game. Or click the Joystick mode at top-right corner and freely move at 360-degree with your keyboard, by clicking, or dragging direction.

Part 5. FAQs on Pokémon Go Excellent Throw

Part 6. Conclusion

Mastering the Excellent Throw in Pokémon GO is one of the most rewarding skills you can develop as a trainer. After reading this guide, you should know how to get an excellent throw in Pokémon GO clearly. With the Set Circle technique, the practice tips we've covered, and smart tools like TunesKit Location Changer, you'll have everything you need to start landing Excellent Throws like a pro - no matter your level.