by Jeffrey A. Moore

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

No matter if you dream of becoming the next Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, or just want to be able to beat up the in-laws at your annual Thanksgiving Day game, learning how to throw a football properly will take plenty of practice, but it is a fairly simple process.

To begin, you should buy a football that is compatible with your age and hand size. If you are trying to learn how to throw a football using an over-sized ball you could cause arm and muscle strain, for one. And for two, you will not be able to maintain control over your throws, causing arrant passes.

Taking the time to warm your arm up with easy throws will reduce the chances of muscle strain.

Step 1-

Hold your hand out with your fingers spread naturally apart. Grip the football by placing your pinky, ring, and middle fingers between the football's laces and seams. Your index finger and thumb should be towards the butt of the ball, but NOT on the laces.

Step 2-

Give the football a few good squeezes to get comfortable with the feel and weight of the ball. Every good Quarterback strives for the perfect grip. Gripping a football too tightly will cause decreased ball control and can affect your release, and the same rules apply for a loose grip.

Step 3-

Depending on which handed you are, hold the ball up high near your ear. Use your opposite hand to pad the ball for protection and pull your throwing arm back.

Step 4-

Extend your free arm in front of you for balance and use it to point at your target. (For a right-handed passer, your left leg and foot are considered to be your front foot and leg, and should be used to point at your intended target also.)

Step 5-

Maintain level shoulders for shorter passes or dip the shoulder of your throwing arm and apply more strength to throwing the football farther.

Step 6-

Shift your weight as evenly as possible at your release point. Just over half of your weight should be on your front foot upon release. (Stepping into your throws will come with practice and create greater velocity on your throws.)

Step 7-

Beginners should find their natural release point. Release points for close range targets will vary from release points to targets that are further away.

Step 8-

This isn't really a step as much as solid words of advice; practice, practice, and more practice. Getting your timing down is very important to tossing pretty looking passes and learning how to throw a football properly.

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