A Guide to Throwing a Football?

Answer 1

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Playing quarterback is a dream shared by millions of kids from the first time they put on a jersey and football helmet. Fulfilling that football dream means mastering the skills required to play the quarterback position. Learning how to properly throw a football is a natural starting point. Throwing a football begins with mastering some basic fundamentals.

A quarterback starts out by learning how to correctly grip the football. How your hand grips the football directly influences the distance, direction and speed it travels when you release it. The fingers are placed across the laces and the fingertips should grip the laces. The thumb should grip the opposite side of the ball. A proper grip leaves a little bit of space between the palm of the hand and the ball.

Poor gripping mechanics can prove costly for a quarterback and their team during an actual game. If the quarterback does not hold onto the ball properly, they can fumble it when hit by a defensive player or if the ball is wet because of poor weather conditions.

When a quarterback throws the ball, they follow a specific motion. A forward pass starts when the center hikes the ball off the ground and the quarterback catches it. They backpedals a designated number of steps and brings their arm to helmet level. The quarterback cocks back their arm and brings it forward in a throwing motion. They release the ball at the tail end of the motion, with the index finger being used to direct the spiral.

The index finger can be used to direct the ball to a particular receiver as it is released. A quarterback will have several options on any given passing play. They must make quick eye contact with their intended target and point their body in the direction they wish to throw before releasing the ball.

After mastering the basic mechanics, working in a variety of nuances with passing plays is easy. A quarterback can roll out behind their offensive line and throw on the run instead of simply dropping back to pass. They can also adjust the trajectory and velocity on a pass by making small adjustments to their throwing motion.

Practicing throwing mechanics is important because it helps them become second nature. In a game, a quarterback will have only a few seconds to find their receiver and throw the ball before a defensive player tackles them. Holding onto the ball too long may result in the quarterback getting sacked or a defensive player intercepting the pass.