Mastering the technique of throwing an American Football ball means your throw will be farther, on target and easier to catch. More importantly, you reduce the risk of injury from a wrong throw. The steps below will help you improve your throwing game and get to your pitch with the "perfect spiral."
Step
Method 1 of 4: Basic Throwing Techniques
Step 1. Stretch your body before throwing
Focus on stretching your entire body – not just your arms. Throwing an American Football ball is a complex mechanical process that uses several muscle groups, including the core, legs and shoulders. Pay attention to these areas as they will stabilize your body and add power to your throw.
Step 2. How to hold the ball
Usually the ball is held with the ring finger and little finger across the ball ties, and thumb down. The index finger is over the seam on the ball, and the thumb and forefinger form an “L” shape.
- Many of the quarterbacks (team leaders when attacking) have various variations of holding the ball as described above. For example, Peyton Manning, a quarterback for the Denver Broncos, puts his middle finger across the string along with his ring and little fingers. Experiment to find a way to hold the ball that is comfortable for you.
- Don't put your palms on the ball. Hold it with the tips of your fingers. It's possible for your palms to touch the ball, but try to have some space between your palms and the ball.
- Don't grip the ball too tightly. Hold firmly but with a little slack – you can adjust the grip easily.
Step 3. Put your body in the throwing position
Facing 90 degrees from your throwing goal. If you throw with your right hand, move to the right, and if you are left-handed, move to the left. Rotate your pivot foot (as opposed to your throwing hand) toward your throwing goal. Your gaze remains on your throwing goal.
Step 4. Hold the ball close to your ear
Before you throw the ball, keep it close to your ear, and stabilize it with your other hand. This gets you ready to throw quickly at any time, without telling enemy players which direction you're throwing.
Step 5. Move ready to throw
Remove the non-throwing hand from the ball. The movement of the hand throws you back until it is behind your ear.
Step 6. Throw in a semicircle
Swing your throwing arms forward in a circular motion. Release the ball in a circular motion. Your throwing hands then point toward your pelvis, palms facing outward from your torso. Practice this movement several times before releasing the ball.
Use your entire body to gain momentum as you throw. Your waist, legs and shoulders can add power to your throw. Step forward with your pivot foot and move your non-dominant elbow downward toward your back. Rotate your hips and shoulders in the direction you want to throw
Step 7. Release the ball with your fingertips
The ball should have rolled out of your hand as it left your hand. The index finger is the last part of your body to touch the ball. This makes the ball spin with a spiral effect.
- Correct throw will feel as if using only the thumb, index and middle fingers. The other two fingers stabilize the ball as it is thrown. The two fingers do not play a role in creating a twisting effect on the ball.
- For added twisting effect, you can snap your wrists forward as you continue the throwing motion, which is toward your pelvis.
Step 8. Practice, practice, practice
Persistent and dedicated practice will improve throwing distance and directional accuracy. As you practice, try some of your body positions and how to hold the ball. Once you've mastered the basics of throwing, these small changes can help you improve your throwing technique to maximize results and comfort.
Method 2 of 4: Hail Mary Toss (Chance)
Step 1. Know when to try the Hail Mary Throw
Throws like this have a high risk and a long distance. The name of this type of pitch was started when the football team from the catholic university prayed before running the rest of the game that was almost lost and was desperate.. The Hail Mary throw is usually used when the attacking team needs to advance a long distance (due to the short game time) and it is difficult to play the game as usual. Consider using the Hail Mary Throw in these circumstances:
- You were in control of the game in the final moments of the first half and still far from the end zone.
- You need to play a fourth down and it is impossible to punt, for example because the game is over and you are left behind.
- You are in control of the last game in the match and it is possible for you to avoid the match ending in a draw if you can add points.
- Caution: Long-range shots are very risky – even the best quarterbacks will have a hard time throwing properly at long distances, and because of the ball's curved motion, it will be easier for your opponents to intercept the throw. Also because throwers need time to get into position to receive the ball, quarterbacks are at risk of being sacked. It is for this reason that caution is necessary when performing the Hail Mary Throw.
Step 2. Get into a throwing position
Grasp the ball at the back with your index, middle and thumb fingers, and place any fingers that are comfortable on the ball's ties, including your ring and little fingers. Keep your knees slightly bent. Face 90 degrees away from your throwing goal, and your front foot facing forward.
Since you have to wait before you can throw the ball, step back after you get the ball (snap) – you can dodge your opponent who is chasing the ball. If you can be knocked down by your opponent while throwing, take a look at Method Four below
Step 3. Just before you throw the ball, step back
Place the ball in the ready-to-throw position, close to your ear. By stepping back, you are ready to step forward when throwing the ball, which will increase your throwing momentum.
Step 4. When you start throwing the ball, lean back slightly
Move your hands back for a throwing motion. Bend your knees slightly as you push up from the bottom with your back foot while stepping forward.
Step 5. Throw the ball in a curved motion over your head
Lean forward as you throw. Rotate your hips and shoulders as you throw and step forward. By stepping forward, rotating your hips and shoulders and leaning forward, you add additional momentum to the ball, causing it to go farther.
- Let the ball slide smoothly out of your hand as described in Method One above. Continue the throwing motion by continuing to move forward until you stop on your own. Don't lose focus – if your Hail Mary Throw is intercepted by an opposing player, you may need to take down the player with the ball!
- For best results, try to throw the ball in an arc that is high enough to reach your recipient's hand and over the heads of the opposing players. To make the ball move in a high arc, release it a fraction of a second before you normally throw it.
Method 3 of 4: Bullet Throw
Step 1. Know when it's time to try throwing the Bullet Throw
Bullet Throw is a short distance throw at high speed. The goal is to get the ball moving as quickly as possible and with as little arcing as possible. Bullets are thrown when play is short and fast – because the throw is fast, it's more difficult for the opponent to grab, so it's especially useful when the ball needs to be thrown at the receiver with a guard nearby. Bullet Throw is useful for:
- Add a few yards to get the first down.
- Score (touchdown) in play near your opponent's line of defense.
- Immediately throw the ball towards a moving receiver.
Step 2. Get into a throwing position
Hold the ball at the back comfortably over the ball tie strap. Face 90 degrees away from your throwing goal (with your throwing hand away from him). Keep moving swiftly, with your front foot facing forward.
Don't move too far back like you would throw the Hail Mary Throw. Your goal is to throw as fast as possible – find the recipient of the ball as quickly as possible
Step 3. Bend your throwing arms behind you to the sides of your head
Don't go behind your head, as you would to throw the Hail Mary Throw – throwing the ball over your head will cause the ball to move upwards. Keep moving swiftly, with knees slightly bent.
Step 4. Step forward hard as you throw
Stepping hard forward is a great way to add momentum to your pitch, because you usually don't have enough time or space to make the backwards-forward-forward movement like when you throw the Hail Mary Throw.
Step 5. Kick your hands forward in a tight, controlled arc
Throwing a Bullet Throw is like hitting something – short, powerful moves done in unison. Throw with full force so that the ball moves at high speed. Throw the ball in as uniform a curve as possible – release it a fraction of a second after you normally throw it for a flat curved motion.
Step 6. Continue throwing with your shoulders and hips in the normal position
Because the movement for the Bullet Throw is tighter and faster than for other throws, you don't have to twist your body as you normally would. Let the ball roll from your hand so that it spins in a spiral motion.
Method 4 of 4: Throwing While Dropped (Tackle)
Step 1. Know your options
The best option, of course, is to avoid the situation where you have to make a split second decision or you are dropped behind the start of the game (sack). Unfortunately every quarterback is bound to have a situation like this. If you are almost certain to be knocked down, throwing the ball is one of your options. Depending on the state of the game, you can also choose to do one of the following:
- Run with the ball. If your front line guard creates an opening, you can dodge your opponent and run for a few yards. If there are no gaps, you should run towards the side of the court. In both cases, you may also be dropped and lose your chance to advance, but you avoid losing more if you are dropped behind the start of the game (sack).
- Do Sideways Throws. If there is an attacking player who is alert and unguarded (usually a back runner, or Running Back), you can throw the ball at him as long as he is in a position parallel to or behind you. This is called a Side Toss (Lateral). If a Side Throw occurs in a forward direction, this is not allowed and will result in a penalty.
Step 2. Know your position on the field
Throwing the ball intentionally to avoid being dropped is not allowed depending on where you are on the court when it occurs. In NFL (American football league) rules, if you throw the ball intentionally in a position in a "pocket" surrounded by your front line guard, it results in an Intentional Grounding penalty. However, if your position is outside the pocket, you may throw the ball at random.
The penalty for Intentionally Killing the Ball is a loss of 10 yards – much worse than you being dropped. Therefore, it is better to lose a few yards if you are still in the bag
Step 3. If you're about to be dropped, act sooner rather than later
In the NFL (American Football League) a throw is started when the thrower has started moving his hand forward. So the sooner you start the throwing motion, the more likely you are to get an unsuccessful throw (which doesn't result in losing yards)
Step 4. Try to drop with your lower body cradled
It's hard to move for a moment before being dropped, but if possible, try to get your arms around your lower body. If you manage to catch his hand, then you can't try to throw the ball, and there's also a risk of the ball falling off and being taken (fumble) by your opponent.
Try to keep your hands free at all times, but if you still can't throw the ball when you drop it, hold the ball when you fall. This method avoids you losing the ball
Step 5. Concentrate on your receiver while you are being knocked down, and only throw at the receiver when he is not awake
If you're feeling lucky, and you don't see any unguarded receivers, you can try to throw the ball so that it hits your opponent but doesn't catch the ball. This is risky, but will result in an unsuccessful throw.
Step 6. Use your body to gain as much momentum as possible
This will vary depending on which part of your body your opponent is holding. If your feet are free, step to throw. If your upper body is free, move your shoulders to throw.
Step 7. Throw over your opponent's head
An even worse result than being dropped behind the starting line of play is interception, so make sure your throw is out of reach of the opponent who is between you and your receiver. Chances are you will have to throw over the body of an opponent who knocks you down if you are knocked down from the front.
Tips
- Never underestimate the impact of whether or not you turn your shoulders enough. Twisting your shoulders (before and after throwing) affects the power of your throw, its momentum, and its accuracy.
- Incorporate your skills into the game. Throwing a perfect pitch is more difficult when you're under pressure from an aggressive opponent. Playing against tough opponents requires you to make changes as you play with your positioning and technique, to avoid being dropped or snatched the ball – great for improving your intuition and skills.
- Dropping and movement after throwing is as important as the motion of throwing the ball – it can be the difference between a wobbly throw and a bullet that hits the receiver right in the chest. Try to "throw" your shoulders as you throw, using your torso to twist your shoulders to give your pitch additional power. Your hands should be touching your hips as you continue after the throw.
- To increase energy and endurance, train with an effective exercise program. A full-body workout with stress on your core, shoulder and leg strength, will improve your throwing ability as well as your overall athletic body.
Warning
- Do not throw the ball with the palm of your hand. The ball will spin backwards rather than spinning in a spiral motion. Uncontrolled throws like this are less accurate.
- Avoid throwing with a hand that's not your primary throwing hand, unless you risk being dropped and will throw the ball to advance. Most ball receivers need time to adjust the motion of the spinning ball to the reverse spiral motion.
- Be careful with the shoulder of your throwing hand. Repeat injuries are common for a quarterback – proven to account for 14% of the injuries suffered by quarterbacks, with rotator cuff injuries being the most common. If you experience pain in your shoulder, stop throwing the ball. If the pain persists, make an appointment to see a sports medicine professional.
-
Avoid this bad habit because it can result in injury:
- Throws with only one foot on the ground.
- Throwing while leaning back.
- Throwing across your body (i.e. throwing left while facing right).
- Turns and throws quickly (i.e. faces one way, spins 180% fast, then throws; making small turns is still OK.)
