How to Throw a Football

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Introduction

Throwing a football poses a problem for many people because of the ball's size and unique shape. But with a little practice, you can throw like a pro. More or less. A lot of it has to do with grip and hand size. The bigger hands you have, the easier throwing the ball will be.

By: eHow Sports & Fitness Editor

Length: 1:20

Comments: 37

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Instructions

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Difficulty: Moderate

Tips & Warnings:

  • Move your hand forward, if your hands are large enough, and hold the ball so that your pinkie finger is toward the front of the ball. Most NFL quarterbacks with big hands feel that holding the ball this way gives them more control and a tighter spiral.
  • Finish on your front foot. Unless you have a cannon for an arm, finishing when falling back will cause the ball to sail high in the air and beg to be intercepted.
  • To make throwing easier, buy a ball compatible with your age and size.
  • Warm up properly and begin with easy throws to avoid muscle strain.
Step1
Grip the football by interlacing your fingers between the football's laces and seams.
Step2
Protect the ball by cradling it with two hands, and hold it just under your chin as you step back to throw.
Step3
Cock your throwing arm back with your elbow bent.
Step4
Extend your free arm in front of you for balance; point the arm and hand at your target.
Step5
Keep your shoulders level for a short pass (10 yards or less); dip the shoulder of your throwing arm for longer distances.
Step6
Snap your arm forward and follow through with your shoulders and hips as your weight shifts to your front foot.
Step7
Release the ball when your arm is slightly above your head and out to the side.
Step8
Add velocity and spiral to the ball by flicking your wrist and fingers just as you release it.
Step9
Finish with your index finger pointing forward and down, and with your palm facing the ground.

Comments

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TimR1991

TimR1991 said

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on 9/15/2008 To throw a football start with the ball under your chin before you throw. Cock ur throwing arm back and follow through with your shoulderts and hips. When you release the football have your thumb pointing towards the ground
Tim Reese.

pfar13

pfar13 said

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on 10/18/2007 how to throw a football further - for a righty leftfoot goes in front and as you throw ur right foot should follow. to throw far u have to throw a spiral or the ball wont pierce threw the air. also to throw far u have to let lose of the football as if u were throwing 10 yards becuse if u try to throw as far as possible u will mess up. throw as u would do not change ur posture. even though people throw side arm u shouldnt because that can damge your elbow. pratice makes perfect throw at least 5 times a week. pat

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on 8/8/2006 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.

said

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on 6/30/2006 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.

said

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on 6/30/2006 For throwers with large hands, I recommend placing fingers on the second and fourth laces as opposed to the first and third.

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eHow Article: How to Throw a Football

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