Gripping the Ball in Football Explained
I shall discuss the art of gripping a football under three main headings: the overhand grip, the thumb grip and the palm grip. Grip and delivery are the mechanics of actually throwing the ball – of getting it up into the air.
The mechanics of throwing the ball must obviously become second nature to the passer if he is going to develop any skill in throwing the ball. No amount of instruction on my part can do that for him – only practice, practice, and yet more practice in throwing countless passes of all kinds will enable him to master the art, regardless of whatever natural ability he may have.
THE GRIP
To pass, you have to hold the ball, and it is no secret that the forward pass has to start with the passer’s grip. Although there probably are many methods of gripping the ball, I will discuss only three of the more popular grips. They are the three types of grip that I have observed to be the most widely used in analyzing the different techniques employed by passers on all levels of play – high school, college, and professional. These three types are the overhand grip, the thumb grip, and the palm grip. Each has its particular features which may be preferable for one reason or another. If you can master the one that is most suitable for you, then you won’t have to bother much about the others.
THE OVERHAND GRIP. The first grip to be considered, and the big favorite among passers, is the overhand grip .The hand should grip the ball in the following manner: The little finger is placed on the third horizontal lacing with the middle finger approximately an inch directly above the ring finger. The index finger takes a wider spread than the other fingers and at more of an angle so that it almost touches the point of the ball. The thumb almost makes a right angle to the index finger and rests on the underside of the ball.
The hand needs to grasp the ball well at the top. It has been my experience that this grip offers the best control, accuracy, and distance. The index finger is the controlling factor and should be the last finger to “feel” leather as the ball is released.
Palming the ball tightly with all four fingers is not as necessary as some people may believe. Beginners use this method extensively and should be discouraged by their instructors because wrapping all fingers around the ball will add nothing to the development of a novice into a genuine passer.
THE THUMB GRIP. The second method of holding the ball to be considered is the thumb grip. Although not as popular as the overhand grip, it has been used successfully by many top-notch passers. This grip finds the thumb resting about an inch above the laces toward the top of the ball. The index is at a right angle to the thumb, and the other fingers are about an inch apart from each other.
THE PALM GRIP. The third method of holding the ball is known as the palm grip. The reason it is being given extensive consideration here is due to its antiquity and widespread use, particularly by high school passers, beginners, and young men with small hands who have to employ it because of a lack of finger-spread. Also, it is the easiest way and the laziest way.
Actually, it isn’t even a grip, and almost any other method of throwing is recommended because the palm grip affords little, if any, control over the direction, arc, distance, or accuracy of the ball. Passers using the palm “hold” have been observed to release the ball in a more horizontal, or side-arm, movement to generate the centrifugal force necessary to create a spiral flight.
A final note of warning should still be given. The palm ball can also be knocked out easily from the hand and on a rainy or snowy day, it can be about as tough to handle as a greased eel.
Choose one of these grips and then practice until you have perfected it.
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How to Begin To Learn Football
More than any other sport, football seems most truly American. Some 350 years ago, the early settlers of our land had teams, goals, and a ball that they kicked around an open field.
True, the game they played can hardly be compared to the modern game we watch in our huge stadiums and on nationwide television, but then, what has remained the same throughout the last three and one-half centuries?
Football has grown right along with our nation and our way of life.
Running
In earlier days, football was just a game that the name suggests. The players moved the ball by kicking it with their feet. Gradually, as high schools and colleges took up the game during the 1800’s, it became popular to pick up the ball and run with it. Later, throwing the ball through the air from one player to another won its place in the strategy of the game.
However, of these three basic forms of moving the ball – kicking, running, and passing – running with the ball must be regarded as the most important. Running plays are used most frequently and there are a greater variety of them.
Just a word about your equipment. Do not try any blocking or tackling without proper and complete uniforms, including well-padded helmets. The sandlot, or the corner playground, or your back yard, are all good spots to practice your football maneuvers and to have your neighborhood games, but always remember – no blocking and no tackling without full uniforms!
Packing the Pigskin
(NOTE: As most boys are right-handed, we will give our instructions for a right-hander. Now, of course, we have nothing against left-handers! There are great ones in all sports. If you are a natural southpaw, just switch the word “right” for “left” and “left” for “right” wherever these words appear in the instructions.)
THE PROPER CARRY of the ball is when the fingers are over the right point of the ball, while the opposite point is forced into the pocket formed by the elbow and body.
1. Carry the ball with the fingers of your right hand over one point (or end) of the ball. Your right arm should be bent so that you can tuck the other point of the ball into the pocket formed by your elbow. Force the ball securely into this pocket with a hard pressure from the fingers of your right hand. Snug the ball against your right ribs.
You have probably noticed on television that great college and professional players often carry the ball away from their bodies. When you start appearing on television, you can carry the ball that way, too! Until that time, “pack the pigskin” as described above.
2. Actually, in carrying the football, you should be equally good with either hand. If an opponent comes at you from your right side with the intention of tackling you, make a quick shift of the ball from your right side to your left side. This frees your right arm for a “straight-arm” on the would-be tackier. The shift of the ball is made as follows:
(a) Bring your left hand over on top of the ball and move your right hand, with the ball, over along the lower part of your stomach toward your left side.
(b) The left hand grasps the point of the ball which is in the pocket of the right elbow.
(c) Your arms appear to be folded in front of your stomach. Each hand grasps a point of the ball.
(d) The right hand guides the point of the ball it has been covering into the pocket formed by the left elbow. The right hand is pulled away to begin the straight-arm maneuver.
(e) The left hand brings the other point of the ball around, the fingers pressuring the ball firmly back into the pocket of the left elbow and snug against the left ribs.
These five actions must be combined into one quick, smooth, continuous movement in order for it to be successful.
Master this maneuver and you will have started to know the game of football.
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The N F L Involvement In The Life Of A Child
Parents that have young boys at home never seem to mind if the National Football League becomes part of their life. The involvement might begin early in life when one parent or both take their child to an NFL football game. That day will be very memorable for the child and one that he is not soon to forget. The NFL team souvenirs will probably brighten his day and his walls and closet when he gets back home.
There are many opportunities for the NFL football teams and football basics to take an active part in many areas of a child’s life. Playing football helps kids to test themselves in many ways. There are many children of both sexes that always seem to want to go outside together and toss around a football on a warm afternoon. Football builds friendships and the strenuous activities involved in football will help the children to build strong bodies as well.
The involved of the NFL in the life of a child will be very evident when the children start to emulate their favorite players while exhibiting all of the qualities of the good sportsmanship that they have seen on the field and on television many times. Parents are truly surprised when children begin to pitch in and help around the home. The child wears his NFL team gear to take out the trash, clean their room, and the teamwork between siblings will be quite amazing to most parents.
The involvement of the NFL in the life of a child will also be evident when the child excels in school. When they witness the discipline that NFL football players show during their long training sessions, the children will sometimes emulate that discipline by making sure that their homework is done on time, and done correctly. They learn not to give up on any task that seems hard because their favorite NFL team player did not give up even if they were injured during a game.
The NFL football season can make a great impression on the life of certain children. The NFL website offers videos that children can watch to learn the techniques that are necessary to play the game of football like a professional football player does every football season. If they are unsure of themselves, they know that the videos are always online to look at again and many boys will get their father to watch too.
The NFL Football League gets very involved in youth football programs by encouraging cities to form youth football leagues and spark an interest in a child to become a professional football player one day. Many young talents emerge as stars through the help of the youth football leagues and the skills that they learn at football camp will help them to achieve in all areas of life.
James Brown writes about http://www.nflgearshop.com
How to Pass in Football
If you want to be an All-Star halfback, study and practice the passing fundamentals. This is a must, of course, for any boy who has his eyes on the quarterback position.
Gripping the Ball
1. The position of your hand on the ball depends entirely on the size of your hand, and particularly on the length of your fingers. With any grip, you should place the fingers somewhere on the laces of the ball. Usually, it is better to place the hand close to the rear point of the ball, rather than on the middle section. The thumb is placed toward the rear point. How much of your palm contacts the ball depends on your hand and finger size.
2. Grip the ball with a firm pressure from your fingers and thumb, but do not make this a “squeezing” pressure. It is best to have a normal spread of your fingers. You should not feel any strain in your hand muscles. This gives your grip just the right amount of firmness.
3. When a right-handed passer grips the ball, he uses his left hand to help with the proper placing of the ball in the right hand. The left hand acts as a guide. The left hand leaves the ball as you go into your throwing position.
Body Stance and Position of Arms
1. The normal body position when you are preparing to make a right-handed throw of the ball is similar to that of a boxer. Your left foot is in advance of your right foot. Your feet should be between twelve and eighteen inches apart, depending on your size. There is a slight bend in your knees:
You must have a good, comfortable feeling of solid balance. Good body balance when you are throwing the ball is probably the most important point in developing accurate passing. Of course, this is not always possible, since you are often called upon to throw from awkward or moving positions.
2. Keep the weight of your body slightly on your right leg prior to throwing the ball. Do not put all your weight on that leg, but just enough so that you can take a short forward step with the left foot in the direction in which you are throwing the ball.
3. As you assume the throwing stance, both hands should still be holding the ball. At this time, it should be in front of your chest and just under your chin. Your left elbow is slightly in toward your body. Your right elbow is pointed somewhat out from your body. This is an approximate position and will vary with a boy’s size and ability.
4. You are not quite ready to fire! First, you must cock your firing mechanism. Drop your left hand from the ball. Have a firm grip with your right hand. Bring the ball back into a position to the rear of and slightly higher than your right ear and somewhat behind your head. For long passes, you may take the ball higher and farther back. Your arm is now cocked and ready to fire. We say that you are “throwing off your right ear.”
5. While setting yourself in your throwing position and cocking your arm, keep your eyes on the various receivers who are moving into their assigned areas in the defensive secondary. If your vision is blocked, move quickly to either side, or forward or backward, as necessary, so that you can pick out your target and aim at him.
6. In the proper throwing position, you should be able to cover a passing area of 180 degrees. You are set to throw directly forward. If it is necessary for you to throw off to an angle either to your right or left, pivot on the ball of your right foot in that direction. Then, step with your left foot and point directly at your target.
Practice these techniques and you will be well on your way to good football!
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