Ms. DaSilva Physical Education WILSON FOOTBALL UNIT Ms. DaSilva Physical Education

Seven Steps to Basic Passing Step One: The Grip *The most common way to hold the football is with your ring and little fingers crossing the laces and your thumb underneath. Your index finger should be over a seam. *Hold it lightly with your fingertips. Some palm contact is OK, but try to keep space between the center of the palm and the ball. *Keep your hold firm but loose - you'll be able to adjust your grip more easily. The Grip

Position your body Step Two: Position your body in the throwing stance Face 90 degrees away from your target. If you throw with your right hand, turn to the right, and vice versa if you throw with your left hand. Turn your pivot foot (opposite your throwing arm) so that it's pointing toward your target. Keep your eyes on the target.

Hold the ball near your ear Step Three: Hold the ball near your ear Before you throw the ball, keep it up near your ear, stabilizing it with your non-throwing hand. This allows you to be ready to throw the ball quickly at any time, minimizing the risk of telegraphing your pass to a defender. What does “telegraphing your pass” mean?

Wind back Step Four: Wind back Release your non-throwing hand from the ball. Wind your throwing arm back, stopping just behind your ear.

Throw in a half-circular motion. Step Five: Throw in a half-circular motion Quickly swing your throwing arm forward in a circular arc. Release the ball mid-way through the circle. Your empty hand should then head toward your non-dominant hip, palm facing away from you. The hips, legs and shoulders can add great power to a pass. Step forward with your non-dominant (or pivot) foot, and move your non-dominant elbow down toward your back. Rotate your hips and shoulders in the direction of the pass. What does non-dominant mean?

Release the ball with your fingertips. Step Six: Release the ball with your fingertips As the football leaves your hand, it should roll off of your fingertips. Your index finger will be the last part of your body touching the ball. This provides the spin that creates the desired "spiral" effect. A proper throw will feel like it's only utilizing the thumb, index, and middle finger. The other two fingers on your hand stabilize the ball as it's being flung. They are not generally used to impart spin on the ball. To impart more spin on the pass, you may snap your wrist forward as you follow through to the hip.

Follow through Step Seven: Follow through Practice, practice, practice.  Persistent, dedicated practice will improve your accuracy and distance. While practicing, experiment with small adjustments in your stance and grip. Once you have mastered the basics, these small changes allow you to fine-tune your technique to maximize comfort and results. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pq7ax9xQrE0 ( to open link, right click and open hyperlink)

Seven Steps to Basic Football Passing The Grip Position your body in the throwing stance Hold the ball near your ear Wind back Throw in a half-circular motion Release the ball with your fingertips Follow through