Comments on How to Throw a Football

To throw the ball while scrambling, you should throw the ball at an angle to the opposite side of your body, or else you'll end up throwing behind your receiver (when running to the right and being right handed). When scrambling to the left side, and being right handed, you should try to turn your body so that you are at least trying to throw it straight.

I really learned how to throw a football from Madden NFL 2006. When I saw the replay, the quarterback threw with his arm bent, like when you throw a baseball (if this is confusing, buy Madden NFL '07, which will come out in August). I tried it, and now the ball goes about 45 yards with perfect spiral.This is what you should do:1. Before snap, try to read defense coverage and change if need to.2. After snap, hold the ball up to your chest level.3. There's two types of throws; Bullet and Typical Pass. In any type of pass, it's important to put your leg (right if you are left handed and left if your right handed) up front and snap a wrist when you throw and release the ball above or at head level. And of course, bend your arm.4. Bullet pass, you throw dead hard. So fast other people can't see your arm. This is good, but many high school receivers (almost all of them) can't catch it. Also, you should aim before you throw or the ball will go anywhere.Make sure the pass is accurate, powerful and fast. The higher the ball goes, the farther the ball goes (but more chances to get intercepted). If you make a perfect spiral, the football goes faster.

For throwers with large hands, I recommend placing fingers on the second and fourth laces as opposed to the first and third.

As you get ready to kick the ball, make sure it is on its side. After you let go of the ball, kick it with the edge of toe. The best way to kick is point your foot out, so it goes forward, then kick with all your might. It works for me. When I kick, the ball goes either up or straight! It's the best way to kick when you're playing around with your friends!

When your throwing arm is pulled back as far as possible, point the end of the ball that is facing your target behind you. Pull your wrist down. As you're releasing the ball, flick your wrist forward and pull your fingers down to put a tight spiral on the ball.

As you get ready to kick the ball, make sure it is on its side. After you let go of the ball, kick it with the edge of toe. The best way to kick is point your foot out, so it goes forward, then kick with all your might. It works for me. When I kick, the ball goes either up or straight! It's the best way to kick when you're playing around with your friends!

It takes practice, so if you throw something that looks like a field goal kick don't get disappointed. I will explain this for right handed people so if you're left handed, just reverse the sides. Grip: There are various ways to grip a football. I switch it around all the time, but I feel the most success comes from putting your thumb and index finger around the back of the football where you grip it. I put my middle finger in front of the first lace (not touching it). Then, I put my middle finger on the first lace and my pinky on the third. It would go like this: x |x| |x|. It doesn't have to be exactly like that for it to be a good grip, but I have yet to see someone that had a grip that wasn't close to that one. Power: How far and how fast you can throw is a mixture of technique and muscle. Yes, it helps to be stronger, but not to strong to where you no longer have the proper flexibility in your arm. Grip, stance, and release are the most important in my opinion. Stance: After getting the proper grip hold the ball to you right side just about waist high. Have your legs parallel with your shoulders if it is under ten yards (it really depends on your strength). Release: When you are about to throw the ball, you should bring it back behind your head. As you bring it forward you should release it near the side of your head. I've thrown with people and they try really hard to spin the ball when they throw it. I found it makes it harder. You should let it roll off your hand smoothly, but roll it off faster if you are trying to increase speed and/or throw farther. If you are trying to throw the ball farther, lean your right shoulder back more and complete your release. If you are going to play football though, I encourage you to learn how to throw side arm, directly over the shoulder, and pretty much every way reasonable; if you want to be successful. Remember practice is the best and I taught myself, so you can too. Hope this helped, and good luck.

For throwers with large hands, I recommend placing fingers on the second and fourth laces as opposed to the first and third.

When your throwing arm is pulled back as far as possible, point the end of the ball that is facing your target behind you. Pull your wrist down. As you're releasing the ball, flick your wrist forward and pull your fingers down to put a tight spiral on the ball.

When you begin, get a good grip on the football. If you are right-handed, put your left foot in front as if you were to take a step forward. Next, put your opposite arm out and put your arm with the football at an 45 degree. Make sure the football is close around your ear. When you release, let the ball spin off of your fingers. The hand that you throw with should touch your pocket on the opposite side. If you have do this you will successfully throw a football.

When you begin, get a good grip on the football. If you are right-handed, put your left foot in front as if you were to take a step forward. Next, put your opposite arm out and put your arm with the football at an 45 degree. Make sure the football is close around your ear. When you release, let the ball spin off of your fingers. The hand that you throw with should touch your pocket on the opposite side. If you have do this you will successfully throw a football.

If you want to throw like me, using the sidearm motion, when you release it just flick it out like your slapping somebody!

If you want to throw like me, using the sidearm motion, when you release it just flick it out like your slapping somebody!

A good throw starts with moving your feet. Always try to turn your body while looking for a receiver. Practice moving your feet around while throwing during warm ups. If you throw without moving your feet, you will strain and possibly injure your arm. Always hold the ball with both hands until you are ready to throw (unless you have to run). This will force a proper shoulder rotation and help with a proper weight transfer. Then point toward the target with the left hand while moving the right hand (with the ball) back and up, rotate the shoulders and follow-through with the throwing arm in a smooth, controlled motion. Try to always throw with the same motion, deep or short, this keeps the defenders guessing and insures proper form to keep from hurting your arm or shoulder.

A good throw starts with moving your feet. Always try to turn your body while looking for a receiver. Practice moving your feet around while throwing during warm ups. If you throw without moving your feet, you will strain and possibly injure your arm. Always hold the ball with both hands until you are ready to throw (unless you have to run). This will force a proper shoulder rotation and help with a proper weight transfer. Then point toward the target with the left hand while moving the right hand (with the ball) back and up, rotate the shoulders and follow-through with the throwing arm in a smooth, controlled motion. Try to always throw with the same motion, deep or short, this keeps the defenders guessing and insures proper form to keep from hurting your arm or shoulder.

The most important part of a good throw is your feet, not your arm. Hold the ball with both hands until ready to throw. It should be high on the chest, on the side of the throwing arm. While looking for your target, keep moving your feet so that your shoulders are almost lined up to where you're looking. Your weight should be going backward slightly while you're moving to insure a better plant. That way, you'll be ready as soon as you spot the target. If you only turn your head, it will take too long to set and release. So, now your shoulders are lined up with the open target, your feet are ready and the ball is held in both hands up on your chest. Plant your back leg and put most of your weight on it and then spring forward, pointing your left foot at the target while moving it forward. While your weight is transferring forward, swing your left arm around forward at shoulder height and you right arm (with the ball) back. When your left foot hits the ground, swing your hips and then the shoulders should follow. When the shoulders are almost square facing the target, throw with your arm. The ball should roll off your fingers to produce a spin. Then the throwing arm should come around and down, with the thumb pointing down. The follow through should not snap the elbow, this will cause bicep problems. Rather, the arm motion should be as smooth as possible.

The most important part of a good throw is your feet, not your arm. Hold the ball with both hands until ready to throw. It should be high on the chest, on the side of the throwing arm. While looking for your target, keep moving your feet so that your shoulders are almost lined up to where you're looking. Your weight should be going backward slightly while you're moving to insure a better plant. That way, you'll be ready as soon as you spot the target. If you only turn your head, it will take too long to set and release. So, now your shoulders are lined up with the open target, your feet are ready and the ball is held in both hands up on your chest. Plant your back leg and put most of your weight on it and then spring forward, pointing your left foot at the target while moving it forward. While your weight is transferring forward, swing your left arm around forward at shoulder height and you right arm (with the ball) back. When your left foot hits the ground, swing your hips and then the shoulders should follow. When the shoulders are almost square facing the target, throw with your arm. The ball should roll off your fingers to produce a spin. Then the throwing arm should come around and down, with the thumb pointing down. The follow through should not snap the elbow, this will cause bicep problems. Rather, the arm motion should be as smooth as possible.

When recognizing coverage, look at the CB's position first. If he is close; it is man to man coverage. If they are a distance away; it is a zone coverage.

When recognizing coverage, look at the CB's position first. If he is close; it is man to man coverage. If they are a distance away; it is a zone coverage.

1. Grip the football by interlacing your fingers between the football's laces and seams. 2. Your fingers should be on top and your thumb should be on the bottom. Spread your fingers as wide as possible on the ball. 3. You can leave a space between the palm of your hand and the ball, or grip it tighter for long passes and not as tight for shorter passes. Not too loosely though. 4. Move your hand toward the nose or pointy end of the ball. Never in the exact middle of the ball. 5. Have your thumb and index finger near the nose. Middle finger at the first lace, ring finger at third lace. Pinky at fifth lace. 6. Thumb, index and middle finger should not be on the laces. The ring finger and pinky should be on the laces. Experiment with all types of grips, not just the ones here, and see which one is best for you.

1. Grip the football by interlacing your fingers between the football's laces and seams. 2. Your fingers should be on top and your thumb should be on the bottom. Spread your fingers as wide as possible on the ball. 3. You can leave a space between the palm of your hand and the ball, or grip it tighter for long passes and not as tight for shorter passes. Not too loosely though. 4. Move your hand toward the nose or pointy end of the ball. Never in the exact middle of the ball. 5. Have your thumb and index finger near the nose. Middle finger at the first lace, ring finger at third lace. Pinky at fifth lace. 6. Thumb, index and middle finger should not be on the laces. The ring finger and pinky should be on the laces. Experiment with all types of grips, not just the ones here, and see which one is best for you.

The first way is the way my dad taught me. The second way takes a little more practice, and I developed it by just messing around in my backyard trying to find a different grip. First way: Looking a the football with the laces up, put your ring finger on the first seam and pinkie on the third seam from the top, like this: |X| |X| Put your index finger on the tip of the ball and curve your thumb and middle fingers around the ball. When you throw, be sure to let the ball roll off of your finger tips or else it will have a funky spin on it. That will make it harder for the receiver to catch it. The second way: Looking at the ball seam-side up, put your thumb on the first seam. Curve the rest of your fingers around the ball. This method requires a different kind of arm motion and I only use it when throwing a hail-Mary or when the yardage is over 10 yards. You've got to bring the ball right by your ear, about 10 inches away from it and you have to follow through with your arm coming across your body once the ball rolls off your finger tips. Hope this helps.

The first way is the way my dad taught me. The second way takes a little more practice, and I developed it by just messing around in my backyard trying to find a different grip. First way: Looking a the football with the laces up, put your ring finger on the first seam and pinkie on the third seam from the top, like this: |X| |X| Put your index finger on the tip of the ball and curve your thumb and middle fingers around the ball. When you throw, be sure to let the ball roll off of your finger tips or else it will have a funky spin on it. That will make it harder for the receiver to catch it. The second way: Looking at the ball seam-side up, put your thumb on the first seam. Curve the rest of your fingers around the ball. This method requires a different kind of arm motion and I only use it when throwing a hail-Mary or when the yardage is over 10 yards. You've got to bring the ball right by your ear, about 10 inches away from it and you have to follow through with your arm coming across your body once the ball rolls off your finger tips. Hope this helps.

You might want to have a looser grip on the ball for shorter throws. If your hand is too tight on the ball, it will quiver or wobble in the air (if it is not thrown correctly). A looser grip will give it a better spin, but don't hold it so loosely that it barely goes anywhere. For longer throws, it is okay to hold it tighter, because you are putting more power and body motion into the throw. I hope this works for you :)