by David Carr

Created on: July 27, 2009

For most people throwing a football can be a difficult and sometimes frustrating task to learn how to do. With some simple steps, and some practice, you can be throwing like Eli Manning in no time.

To start with you need to learn how to grip the football. Gripping the ball is different for different people. Some people prefer to grip the ball with three fingers on the laces and their index finger spread far back. This grip is used for people with bigger hands who feel very confident throwing, it also can help to make it easier to get a spiral. The second grip is with two fingers on the laces and two fingers towards the back of the ball. This technique can make it easier to throw the ball farther, but it will take a little more practice to be able to throw a spiral.

Second is body position. If your right handed you should be standing with your left shoulder foreword, and your right hand back (vice versa if your left handed). Your body should be in a straight line with where you want to throw the ball, not squared up. You should hold the ball with both hands right between your shoulders.

Third is the actual throwing part. Throwing a football is a lot like throwing a curveball in baseball. You start your throw by bringing your arm back and up then as you start to bring it foreword (to throw the ball) your front arm should drive across your body, away from the ball. The ball should be pointed with the nose towards the target. Your arm should be acting like a trebuchet, having it almost fully straight when you throw. the ball should start to roll of your fingers, you should now spin your fingers down across the ball in a flicking motion. Congratulations, look at that baby go.

You might not be Eli Manning quite yet. Now you can go out with your friends to throw around the "old pigskin" and impress them with your new throwing skills. You could play a little "two-hand-touch" or you could play like it was intended and go all out full tackling, however you do it, have fun. Maybe someday you can be the one on t.v. making all the plays.

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