Pokémon GO Excellent Throw: How to Land One
A Pokémon GO Excellent Throw is the highest of the game’s three accuracy bonuses: Nice, Great, and Excellent. To get one, land a Poké Ball inside the smallest shrinking target circle just before it closes; a successful Excellent Throw gives extra catch XP and improves the chance of catching the Pokémon.
How an Excellent Throw works
When you encounter a Pokémon, a colored circle appears over it and shrinks toward the Pokémon’s inner target area. The circle’s size when the ball hits determines the throw rating. A ball that lands inside a larger target may earn Nice or Great; an Excellent requires a hit inside the smallest target zone.
The target circle changes size as it shrinks, so timing matters as much as aim. The practical goal is to release the ball when the circle is small enough for an Excellent and have it reach the Pokémon while that target is still at the desired size. If the ball misses the target area, the throw may receive no accuracy bonus.
The game does not require a curveball for an Excellent rating. A straight throw can count if it lands in the right place, though many players combine an Excellent with a curveball for additional benefits.
How to make an Excellent Throw
- Choose a manageable encounter. Pokémon with a large, centered target are generally easier to hit than small or distant ones. Try on a stationary encounter before attempting the throw on a Pokémon that moves frequently.
- Watch the target circle. Hold the ball and observe the circle as it shrinks. Decide how small you can reliably hit rather than waiting for the tiniest possible target every time.
- Use the circle-lock timing technique. While holding the ball, wait for the circle to reach the size you want, then stop touching the screen without throwing. The circle will remain at that size during the Pokémon’s attack animation. When the Pokémon finishes its attack and the circle reappears, throw so the ball reaches it as the circle returns to the chosen size.
- Aim for the center. Swipe toward the Pokémon’s body and release with enough control to land inside the circle. If you use curveballs, spin the ball before throwing and curve the swipe toward the target.
- Adjust after each attempt. A throw that lands outside the ring indicates an aim or timing issue. Make the next attempt easier by choosing a slightly larger target circle or changing the swipe distance and angle.
Circle-lock timing is a way to reduce the chance that the circle shrinks too far while the Pokémon is attacking; it does not guarantee an Excellent. The ball still has to land in the target, and the Pokémon’s attack animation and position can make the timing imperfect.
Why use the circle-lock technique?
Pokémon can attack, jump, or shift position while you are preparing a throw. An attack may deflect a ball or make it miss. If you simply wait for a tiny circle and throw immediately, the Pokémon may attack before the ball arrives. Locking the circle’s size lets you wait for the attack animation to finish and then throw at a more predictable moment.
To use the technique, hold the ball until the ring reaches your preferred size, then lift your finger without releasing the ball as a throw. Wait for the Pokémon to attack and for the ring to return. Throw during the brief opening after the attack, aiming so the ball reaches the Pokémon when the circle is at the locked size. Practice is needed because the ball’s travel time and the Pokémon’s movement vary.
If the Pokémon does not attack, you can still throw normally. The technique is a timing aid, not a requirement. For a difficult or valuable encounter, a safer Great Throw may be preferable to repeatedly risking a miss while chasing an Excellent.
Rewards and catch-rate context
An Excellent Throw awards more XP than a Great or Nice Throw. The rating also contributes to the chance of catching the Pokémon: stronger accuracy bonuses improve the odds, but they do not guarantee a catch. The result can still depend on factors such as the Pokémon, the Poké Ball used, berries, and other encounter modifiers.
A common misconception is that an Excellent Throw means the Pokémon must stay in the ball. It does not. If a Pokémon breaks free, that does not necessarily mean the throw was rated incorrectly; the accuracy bonus and the eventual catch are separate outcomes. For a Pokémon you especially want to catch, combine accurate throws with an appropriate ball and berry when available.
Excellent throws can also help with research tasks or other in-game goals that specifically ask for them. Check the task wording: some require one Excellent Throw, while others may ask for multiple throws or a streak. A missed attempt does not count as an Excellent even if the circle looked small when you released.
What affects difficulty?
- Target size: A larger Pokémon often presents a more forgiving target. A small circle is harder to hit consistently.
- Distance and position: Pokémon farther from the player or offset from the center may require a longer or angled swipe.
- Movement: Attacks and jumps can interrupt a throw or change the Pokémon’s position. Waiting for a calmer moment can help.
- Throw style: Curveballs require a curved swipe, which adds a coordination challenge. You can first practice straight throws, then add a curve.
- Screen and touch control: A dirty screen, awkward grip, or inconsistent swipe can make the ball veer away from the target.
There is no single swipe length or speed that works for every Pokémon and device. Treat each encounter as a small adjustment problem: watch where the ball lands, then change the release point, swipe direction, or timing.
Common problems and fixes
The circle is tiny, but the game gives only Great. The ball may have landed outside the inner target when it arrived, or the circle may have changed size before impact. Aim closer to the center and use circle-lock timing to better control the target size.
The Pokémon keeps attacking. Wait through an attack rather than throwing into it. With circle-lock timing, set the circle size first, then throw after the animation ends. Be ready to adapt if the Pokémon jumps or shifts.
The curveball misses to one side. The spin and direction of the curve affect the ball’s path. Practice the curve on easier encounters, and make smaller changes to the swipe angle instead of changing several things at once.
The Pokémon breaks out after an Excellent. An Excellent improves the catch chance but is not a guarantee. Consider a stronger ball or a berry if the encounter allows it, and keep making accurate throws.
The game does not register the throw. Confirm that the ball actually hits the Pokémon inside the target circle; a near miss does not qualify. If touch input seems inconsistent, clean the screen and check that your finger is not slipping during the swipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as an Excellent Throw in Pokémon GO?
An Excellent Throw is a Poké Ball hit inside the smallest target-circle zone at the moment the ball reaches the Pokémon. The game displays the rating when the throw qualifies.
Is a curveball required for an Excellent Throw?
No. A straight throw can be Excellent if it lands inside the target. A curveball is optional and can add a separate catch bonus.
Does an Excellent Throw guarantee a catch?
No. It improves the catch chance and grants extra XP, but a Pokémon can still break free.
Why does the circle-lock trick work?
It helps preserve a chosen circle size while you wait for an attack animation to finish. You then throw when the circle returns, reducing the risk of throwing into an attack.
What Pokémon are easiest for Excellent Throws?
Encounters with larger, centered targets are usually easier to hit. Difficulty also depends on distance, movement, and how comfortable you are with the required swipe.
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