How to Throw a Football

Guide Note

The family is together, and you're heading out to play a friendly game of touch football. Suddenly, the ball is in your hands, and the defense charging toward you. After reading this guide to How To Throw a Football, you'll be able to put a tight spiral right in your receiver's arms.

Table of Contents

Throwing a Football Tips

  1. Keep your fingers on the laces, toward the back of the ball.
  2. A tight spiral keeps the ball going fast and where you meant to throw it.
  3. Roll your fingers as you release the ball for a tight spiral.
  4. Plant your feet firmly before throwing.
  5. Keep your eyes on your target as you follow through.

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Introduction

  • Everyone wants to be the quarterback, but you'll never get the position unless you can really sky the ball down the field. This guide to How to Throw a Football will help you learn what you need to know to toss the pigskin like a pro.

Step 1: Understand the Physics

(Creative Commons photo by makelessnoise)
(Creative Commons photo by makelessnoise)
  • Just like any projectile, a football is bound by the laws of physics. There are three scientific concepts you'll want to keep in the back of your mind when you're throwing the football.1
  1. Velocity: This is the speed of the ball.1 The harder you throw, of course, the more distance your ball will cover.
  2. Vector: This is the angle at which you throw the ball.1 Throwing at a steep angle (closer to 90 degrees) will send the ball higher but not as far. A shallow angle (closer to parallel to the ground) will send the ball further, but can be knocked down by defenders.
  3. Rotation: This is what you do to reduce air resistance on the ball.1 Throwing in a tight spiral reduces the amount of air the ball hits, allowing it to maintain speed and remain on the same trajectory (path).

Step 2: Get a Grip

  • It's not every day that people hold a prolate spheroid.2 (That's what the shape of a football is called.) There are many ways to grip a football, but you'll want to start out this way:
  1. Align your fingers with the laces close to the end of the ball. (But not all the way to the end.) These laces allow you to have better control over the direction in which you throw the ball.
  2. Rest your thumb naturally on the opposite side.
  3. Stay calm. You shouldn't grip the ball too hard, as this will reduce the flexibility needed in your arm and hand.3

Step 3: Plant Your Feet

  • This may be hard to do when you’re on the run. However, even if you’re about to be sacked, you’ll still need to establish a firm base before you can make a strong throw.
  1. Put one foot back with the other pointing toward where you want the ball to go. Your feet should be about shoulder-width apart.
  2. As you begin your throw, shift your weight to your back foot to gain momentum you can transfer to the ball.
  3. Push that weight forward as your back foot comes forward, as though you’re taking a step.

Step 4: Flick Your Wrist and Let it Fly

(Creative Commons photo by Kevin Tostado)
(Creative Commons photo by Kevin Tostado)
  • Now that you have your feet and legs in the right position, it's time to actually throw the ball. Here's how you can put the ball right between the numbers on the receiver's jersey.
  1. Squeeze the ball a little bit harder right before you throw. (Just a little; remember the previous step.)
  2. Flick your wrist down in a circular motion as your arm moves past your shoulder. Your fingers should roll off of the ball as it leaves your hand.4
  3. Your hand should be moving in the direction you want the ball to go. Your hips should be to the front as well.
  4. Follow through by keeping your hand in motion and your eyes on your target.

Conclusion

  • Now that you have the basics, keep your eyes peeled as you watch football on TV. Look at the different ways each quarterback throws the ball. Think of tiny modifications you could make to your throw.

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References for How to Throw a Football

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 HowStuffWorks: How the Physics of Football Works
  2. ↑ Ask a Scientist: Football Shape
  3. ↑ The Wall Street Journal: How to Throw Like a Pro
  4. ↑ WikiAnswers: Throwing a Football Spiral


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