Skills & Techniques In Football Throwing

Passing a football is very different from throwing a round ball. It is a highly specialized skill requiring proper hand position, foot placement, ball handling and throwing motion. Passing a football in a perfect spiral makes it travel farther and faster than throwing it end over end. A perfect spiral can only be achieved with proper implementation of football throwing skills and techniques.

Hands

Throwing a perfect spiral requires proper hand position. The laces on a football enable the passer to spin it as it leaves the hand. A spinning football flies straight and creates lift so it stays in the air longer. Quarterback Peyton Manning recommends holding a football with the fingertips with a slight gap between the palm and the ball. Manning places his middle finger, ring finger and pinkie finger on the laces.

Feet

A passer uses the momentum of the entire body to throw the football by standing sideways with the non-throwing shoulder pointed toward the target. Passing a football facing the target only uses arm strength. Standing with the feet shoulder width apart, knees slightly bent and bouncing gently on the balls of the feet adds the torque of a twisting body to the momentum of a throw.

Football Position

Grasping a football gently in both hands prevents accidental fumbling. Elevating the football to just above the throwing shoulder before releasing it shortens the arc of the passing motion. This increases the speed of the release and improves accuracy. A shorter throwing motion results in less variation from throw to throw.

Throwing Motion

NFL quarterback Phil Simms recommends taking a deep breath and relaxing muscles before passing a football. Simms advises players to tense their muscles only when passing, then to snap the release like they are cracking a whip. This produces the torque required for a perfect spiral. Elevating the angle of the pass up to 45 degrees increases the distance.

Follow Through

Passing a tight spiral requires a complete follow through. Continuing the passing motion after releasing the football ensures maximum spin. The football spins slower if the passing motion stops prematurely. This results in a wobbly pass and reduced distance.