by Ja.W. Smith

Created on: December 02, 2008   Last Updated: January 13, 2009

Throwing a football with speed and accuracy depends mostly on finger position and wrist movement. There are really just a few down and dirty points that create a spiral throw and, after that, it's all based on your own preferences. There are also a couple of points that will help you keep your throw performance consistent. Once you finally understand what you're trying to do with the ball, practice, practice, practice.

Assuming you know how to effectively throw objects in general (as far as leading with the opposite foot, wrist snap, and so on) and you understand that personal preference, comfort, as well as hand size, comes into play; the quick points of gripping and throwing a football are as follows:

1) Your
pinky fingertip should roughly center on the football threads.

2) Your ring fingertip should spread from the pinky and find the end of the threads.

3) Your middle fingertip should spread from the ring and usually rest on the white stripe of the ball.

4) Your index fingertip will place at or near the tip of the ball

5) Your thumb should wrap around the ball, on or near the white stripe, with a very slight gap between the web of your thumb and the ball.

6) As you release the ball during the throw, snap your wrist down and in, with the goal of spinning the ball from the grip of all your fingertips.

You will only achieve consistency by repeating the same process each time. In the middle of a game, you'll end up looking pretty stupid, not to mention like a permanent addition to the grass, if you have to stop and check finger position every time. So, learn what your fingers feel like when they're in your preferred positions. That way, when you get the ball, you can hold (or set) the ball near your chest or shoulder and you can adjust your fingers as needed, while keeping your eyes on the game and that tackler coming up on your flank.

Nobody has ever carved these techniques in stone. These techniques should bring you close enough for you to make minor adjustments and find your own sweet spots for fingers and body motion. Once you find your preferences, practice is the only method available to keep and remember them. So, practice, practice, practice.

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