Throw Off

A “throw off” is the system on the snare drum for engaging and disengaging the snare wires onto and off of the bottom resonant head. The snare wires connect to the bottom of the throw off on one side of the drum and on the opposite side they connect to the butt plate using either string or a piece of plastic. Throw offs come in many different designs but their function is all the same. When the throw off arm is down, or over in a ratchet-style design, the snare wires are disengaged. When the arm is up, or back in its original position in the ratchet style, the snare wires are engaged. Throw offs also usually includes a tensioning screw for tightening or loosening the snare wires.