This riddle sounds as though the ball must bounce off a wall or be attached to a string, but neither is necessary.
The man simply throws the ball straight up into the air. Gravity slows it down, stops it for a moment at the top of its path, and then pulls it straight back toward him.
Answer: He throws the ball straight upward.
The phrase “as hard as he can” is there to distract you. No special equipment or second person is needed. Gravity does all the work.


