How to Throw a Football

So, you plan to throw a big superbowl party. Your guest come and decide they want to play a quick game of football to  warm up for the real game. Alas, you know nothing about how to throw a football, and when the game is over, your team loses and you come out looking like an idiot. To avoid this horrid embarrassment, I'm going to teach you how to throw a football.

Step 1 Step 1: The Stance

When throwing a football, make sure to always be on your toes. Literally. Lifting your heels of the ground will provide a great sense of mobility to aid you. It will help you to quicker react to things like blitzes. You can also  move around a lot faster. Look at the pictures to get a good sense of how to do this. By the way, I'm wearing shorts, not nothing.

Comments

[andy55551]

Tim Teboow should see this....

[Pichu47]

Lol. He's a great guy, but can't throw a good spiral.

[willdeh2]

The grip is very important, just as important as the throwing motion. If you don't get a decent spiral on the ball it will travel significantly shorter. I like to rest my middle finger at the very beginning of the laces and then have my ring and pinky finger spaced one lace apart. We all have different hands so this may not work for everyone. When playing with a college ball (one with sripes) I've always been told to keep my thumb and middle finger below the stripes.

Throwing the ball takes a lot of practice, it will be very frustrating for someone just beginning. It will take a lot of time before your ball resembles that of Brady's. Just keep practicing and experiment with different grips, different trajectories, how hard you are squeezing, how you follow through after release, so on and so on. Playing with someone who could teach you is also a big plus.

Good luck to anyone who is learning!

[Pichu47]

Ah! There's the picture that I didn't take. Look at that grip, that's how it's supposed to be.

[Mitsuskitzo]

that spiral is gonna hit that truck

[Pichu47]

Nah, it's actually an optical illusion for the picture. It hit the ground before the tree. But I could hit the truck if I wanted.

[pumpkiono]

I'm from Australia and I'm a bit puzzled by the description here. I thought you had to effect a spin into the ball, which was the reason for the fingers along the laces. Is throwing with straight with power enough? Is there no technique for imparting spin to the ball on release or is that just a consequence of throwing? It's Superbowl time here is three and a half hours - 10.30am Monday our Time.
Cheers :)

[willdeh2]

You are right that you require spin on the ball but it is very hard to describe. The downward motion of your hand twists the ball as it releases your fingers. Somehow you snap the ball so it spins tightly upon release. It's really hard to describe but will be achieved with plenty of practice.

[Pichu47]

Basically what he said. It is very hard to describe, but the downward and leftward motion will propel the ball. Practice makes perfect.

[Penolopy Bulnick]

Awesome! Though, always wondered, do you need to stick your other arm forward when you draw back with your right (if ou are right handed)? I always seem to do that like I'm pointing where I'm throwing.

[Pichu47]

You can if you want, but it isn't really necessary. If it helps you, then you can do that, just make sure you don't accidentally bat down the ball when you try and throw it ;)