What could be more stressful than standing in the pocket, a linebacker coming uncovered on a blitz, and tight man-to-man coverage in the secondary? Doing the same thing while the first thought on your mind is "How the heck do I throw a football?" Want to know how to throw a tight spiral? How to hit the deep man on a "go" route? How to lead your reciever so the Safety doesn't take his head off? Well this is the How-To for You!

So whether the family is together, and you're heading out to play a friendly game of touch football, or the starter just went down with an injury and you're slated to start the next game, you'll need to know how to throw. If you suddenly find is in your hands, and the defense is charging toward you, after reading this guide, How To Throw a Football, you'll be able to put a tight spiral right in your receiver's arms.

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

• 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.

(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.HowStuffWorks: How the Physics of Football Works

1. Velocity: This is the speed of the ball.HowStuffWorks: How the Physics of Football Works The harder you throw, the faster the ball will move, and the more distance your ball will cover. Throwing with a lot of velocity will help you hit your target more quickly. This can be useful if you want to get the ball to a receiver before the defense can react. It can also help you throw the ball further, which allows you to target a receiver that is further down the field.
2. Vector: This is the angle at which you throw the ball.HowStuffWorks: How the Physics of Football Works Throwing at a steep angle (closer to 90 degrees) will send the ball higher, and will arc the ball towards your target. A shallow angle (closer to parallel to the ground) will send the ball on a direct line to your target. An angle of 45 degrees will give you the maximum distance possible on level ground. The advantage of an arced throw is two-fold. First, you can get greater distance, the advantages of which are obvious. Secondly, and arc can help you avoid defenders. Even a short throw can benefit from some arc to the ball's trajectory. To dump the ball to a running back, you may want to throw the ball over a rushing defensive line. To hit a receiver in a "go" route, you may want to drop the ball into their hands as they run, keeping it away from the chasing defender's outstretched hands.
3. Rotation: This is what you do to reduce air resistance on the ball.HowStuffWorks: How the Physics of Football Works Throwing in a tight spiral reduces the amount of drag caused by the air. This allows the football to maintain speed and trajectory (path). A wobbly football will decelerate faster.

• It's not every day that people hold a prolate spheroid.Ask a Scientist: Football Shape (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). Your pinky should on the last, or close to last lace, and you should have a comfortable grip. 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.The Wall Street Journal: How to Throw Like a Pro

Find an open receiver. If you playing catch with the family, this will be easy. But if you in the middle of a game, and the defense is coming at you, you might be feeling the pressure. It's important to know how you can help get a receiver open. Try to remember where your guy is supposed to go. A receiver may not be open right away, but if you know which way they're going to go, you can anticipate whether they will be open in a few seconds. Once you find a target, it's just a matter of getting them the ball.

1. Is you receiver in full flight? You'll want to aim ahead of them, so they can continue their run. A person who is cutting in a flag or slant run will be moving left or right. Look in the direction they'll be heading, and decide if that area looks open. If it is, throw into the open space, so that the receiver can move to the ball. A receiver running a go route will be open if they are a step ahead of the defender. Throw over their heads, so the receiver can catch up to the ball.
2. If your receiver going to run a post, and stop and turn at a specific point? You'll want to throw the ball at their back, just before they stop and turn. Ideally, the ball will arrive in the hands just after they turn around. This minimizes the opportunity for the defense to adjust to the route, and intercept the ball.
3. Remember too, you can throw high or low to keep the ball out of the hand of the defense. A receiver who cuts across the middle of the field may appreciate getting a ball that is low, so they can go to the ground before a linebacker in zone takes their head off. A receiver running a fade to the back corner of the endzone will want a ball high, so they can jump for it, and keep it out of the hands of the defense.

• 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.

(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.WikiAnswers: Throwing a Football Spiral
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.

• 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.

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.

• Introduction
• Step 1: Understand the Physics
• Step 2: Get a Grip
• Step 3: Plant Your Feet
• Step 4: Flick Your Wrist and Let it Fly