What is the easiest way to throw a ball, have it stop, and completely reverse direction after traveling a short distance?
One easy method of throwing a ball so that it stops and then reverses direction would be by using spin. You could use an object such as a tennis racket or a baseball bat to apply this spin when you are holding onto the ball. This will cause your hand to release the ball with much more force which can help make it stop suddenly if thrown at a right angle from the ground. Once it has stopped, quickly pull back on the handle of the object causing it to rotate in your hands. The rotation should continue until there is no forward movement anymore.