How to Pass a Football
The pose of a player during a pass is one of the iconic and enduring images of American football. All games will have to involve each player from the team being in possession of the ball, which makes passing a very important skill in the game. Here are some tips to help you improve your passing skills, and be an asset to the team wherever you are on the field.
Grip
The way you hold the ball can have a very direct effect on the way you pass. Not many players have hands large enough to grip the whole ball from the center. The best way to hold a football during a pass is to grip it off-center, just behind the thickest part of the ball. That way the ball will soar in the most aerodynamic way possible, and you get more distance and accuracy off every pass.
Stance
The power of your arm has a lot to do with passing, but a great football pass is all about leverage. The way you stand, even for just a split second, during passing can affect distance and accuracy:
If you’re right-handed, your right foot should be behind you, while your left food should be in front of you. Make sure that the stance of your feet is wide enough to keep yourself from falling over during the pass.
Swivel your hips and upper body toward your rear foot, and lean back a bit to give your throw more power.
Preparation
Preparing for the pass may only take a split-second, but it can have a very significant impact in the direction and distance of your pass:
Move your throwing arm just behind your right ear, and keep the right elbow cocked outward. If you want a powerful throw, keep your left hand just under your chin, and your left elbow tucked inward.
Check the field for open teammates whom you can pass the ball to. The proper stance and position can give you a 180-degree of free movement to pass the ball to any player in the field ahead of you.
Throwing
Think of your body as a giant catapult where your body is the structure, and the ball is the ammunition. A good throwing arm helps, but it’s not good enough to take the ball where you want to go:
Pull back your arm towards the back of your head, and lean back a bit to give your pass a powerful boost and forward momentum.
As your throwing arm moves forward, your trunk and hips should also follow. Your left arm should descend and move outward, while your feet should pivot naturally.
Throw the ball at the apex of the the pass, and complete the follow-through.
It may all sound complicated for a pass that takes a split second to make, but with enough practice, the perfect pass can make you a gridiron legend.