by Alex Ramirez

Created on: December 03, 2008   Last Updated: January 13, 2009

So you've received the snap, dropped into position, your receiver calls for the ball, and what do you do? Actually, how do you do it? Throwing a football can appear surprisingly difficult at first, but is actually quite easy with the proper instruction.

First things first, before you can perform even the simplest of passes you must first have a strong/firm grip on the football, but don't

forget not to squeeze too tight! After all, the last thing you want is the ball slipping out of your hands. Once you get comfortable performing pump-fakes your grip should be right where it needs to be.

Next you will want to figure out where you are comfortable placing your fingers on the ball. There are primarily two different places where you can place your fingers, when on the laces, to throw an accurate spiral. If counting from the end of the football, your fingers should lay after the first and third laces or after the second and fourth laces. Both are perfectly acceptable techniques and usually yield the same results.

The football should be held with both hands and should be carried at chest level to decrease the amount of time it takes to throw. Once you have found an open receiver you should pull your throwing arm back and lunge the leg opposite of your throwing arm forward. By the time your foot begins making contact with the ground you should already be moving your throwing arm forward.

After putting your arm in a forward motion you must then work on releasing the ball. A proper release will give you a nice spiral, which will make the ball much easier to catch and will add invaluable style points to the throw. As your arm is moving forward begin moving your hand down the ball as if you were turning a doorknob. One way to tell if you are releasing the ball correctly is to check if your palm is facing downward, your arm is fully outstretched, and your fingers are not bent.

And there you have it. With a little bit of practice they'll be throwing your name in the ring with Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Maybe not that much, but you'll be sure to elicit some envy from friends who are now like your former self.

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