Football Passing and Catching

Football Throwing and Catching
 
Cues:
 
Grip:
1.Make a C – Place the throwing hand on the back of the football and form a C with the index finger and thumb
2.Spread fingers
3.Laces – Place 2 to 3 fingers on the laces
4.Open Window – Rest the ball on the top of the palm (not the whole palm). When rested in the palm there should be a gap (window) between the ball and the palm
 
Throwing:
1.Make an L – Move the throwing arm back and make an L by bending the arm
2.Elbow up – elbow should be at shoulder level
3.Step – Step with the opposite foot of throwing hand
4.Palm out- When releasing the football turn the palm out so that the ball can roll of the index finger
5.Across body – After release, the throwing hand should continue across the body with the hand ending up at the opposite hip
 
Catching:
1.Diamond hands – Students should put both tips of index fingers and thumbs together to form a diamond in the middle
2.Spread fingers
3.Eyes on ball
4.Ball to chest – Once they catch the ball students should bring the ball towards their chest
 
 
Task 1: Grip and Release
 
For this task students will learn how to properly grip and release a football when passing. Each student will have their own football and stand in their own personal space (at least 6 feet apart). Students will grip the football using the correct cues, self-toss the ball into the air, and catch the ball as it comes down.
 
            Refinement:

• Make sure the students are gripping the ball towards the back half (towards the tip) of the ball. Some students will want to grip the ball in the middle which is incorrect.
• Make sure the students are following through to the opposite hip across their body. If they are not this will cause the ball to come out wobbly.

 
Task 2: Partner Pass and Catch
 
For this task, students will be in partners with one football per 2 students. Students will stand apart from each other at cones set up about 10-15 yards apart from each other. One student will begin with the ball and pass it to their partner who will catch it. Students will throw back and forth for the designated amount of time.
 
            Extension: Have students move the cones back to 20 yards and continue throwing
 
            Application: See how many successful passes and catches the partners can make within 1 or 2 minutes
 
            Refinement:

• Again, make sure the students are gripping the ball towards the back half of the ball
• If students are having a hard time hitting their partner in the chest with the passes explain that the cause of this is because they are either releasing the ball too early or too late. If students are having a hard time doing this have the students move closer together

 
Task 3: Throwing Lines
 
Split students up into groups of 5 or 6. For this task groups will have one ball per group and will be set up in lines all the way across the gym about 10-15 yards apart. The student at the start line will have the ball and will pass the ball to the next student in line when the teacher blows the whistle. From there the students will catch and throw the ball to the next person until the ball has went all the way to the last person in line (on the other side of the gym) and back to the person who first threw the ball. Each student in this task will get a chance to throw and catch the ball. Once the ball is back to the first person who threw the ball all students in that group will sit down to let the teacher know that they are done. The group to successfully get the ball down and back first wins.
 
            Extension:

• Have students go down and back more than once. This can be 3, 4, or 5 times or however long you want them to throw for.
• If a student drops a pass have the team start over from the beginning

 
Task 4: Short Curl-route pass
 
For this task divide students into groups of 4. In each group, two students will stand behind a cone set at the line of scrimmage (throwers) while the other two students are standing behind another cone that will be 3 yards behind the line of scrimmage (receivers). The thrower with the ball will call hike and begin to take a couple of steps backward while the receiver will run 5 yards past the line of scrimmage (marked with a cone) and turn back to the quarterback when they get there. Once the receiver is at the cone the quarterback will successfully throw the ball to the receiver. Once the receiver catches the ball they will turn and run upfield for about 10 yards. Students will continue to do this in the same positions until the teacher blows the whistle and will then switch roles.
 
            Extension:
1.Have students switch sides and repeat the drill from the opposite side.
 
            Application: See how many successful throws and catches the group can make in a set amount of time