Biomechanics of throwing a football

By: Dean Cotrone, Jalen Parks, Levi

Wiedmann
Introduction

- Stance phase starts with having balanced weight with body towards target and 90
degrees of flexion in both arms.
- In Movement phase the athlete aligns their shoulder on your non dominant side with the
target and Holds the ball close to your ear in 90 degrees of flexion to enable a quick
release.
- Action Phase begins when the athlete Steps with their pivot foot which is the same side
as your non dominant hand. When they throw, pivot foot should be point directly to
target. To be sure they throw a spiral, extend your arm and roll your fingertips off the
football as it is being released The faster the arm moves the greater force you will throw
the ball with.
- In the recovery phase the arm should co;triune in its natural motion, and end in 180
degrees of flexion.
Video
URL: http://www.hudl.com/technique/video/view/JFpJqJwq
Phase Analysis
 This phase provides a power position to
Phase one: Stance launch the football

phase Reduces the tendency to internally rotate the

arm
Naturally aligns the arm to the force producing
movement phase
 This force producing movement is achieved by
Phase two: the infraspinatus and theres minor muscles

Movement phase externally rotating the arm back into an

appropriate 90 degree angle in order to
(production of force) elongate the supraspinatus.
Prepares deltoid muscles to propel the elbow
through the extension phase.
Improper movements could cause injury
 Elbow moves in front and above the shoulder.
Phase three: Responsible for consistent power and accuracy

Extension
on the throw.
Deltoid muscle forces the elbow above and
ahead of the shoulders until it reaches zero
position.
Achieved by having the elbow about 6 inches
above the shoulder and 45 degrees above the
transverse plane which load the triceps
 The triceps transfer energy from the elbow,
Phase four: Follow wrist, finger tips, and finally to the ball.

through Responsible for the release of the football

which will determine the final trajectory and
velocity of the ball
Muscular analysis

Shoulder
Anterior Deltoid
Middle Deltoid
Supraspinatus
Rotator cuff
Infraspinatus
Rotator cuff
Upper-Body
Pectoralis major
Subscapularis
Rotator cuff
 Rotator cuff tendonitis /Labral strains and tears

- Caused by a weak or unstable scapula, can be

Common injuries prevented by certain exercises that strengthen and
mobilize the muscles in that area.

Bicep tendonitis

- Inflammation of the main tendon attached to the top

of the bicep muscle
- Mainly an overuse of the muscle causes the pain.
- The tendon may also become inflamed in response
to other problems in the shoulder, such as rotator
cuff tears, impingement, or instability.
 Strengthen shoulder muscles

- Refrain from curls and bench presses which causes

Prevention from inward rotation of the shoulders. Instead focus on
exercises that require the athlete to perform a
these injuries pulling motion; pull-ups, chin-ups, one arm rows, and
bent over rows, also increase flexibility in the
anterior shoulders and chest area.

Focus on more than just the shoulder

- This is a key component because it results back in

the root cause of the injury, overuse. If the athlete
has an injury occurring from throwing motion, the
best thing to do is give the shoulder a break when
the athlete can.

Ice after practice and games

- Icing after practice and games is essential for

recovery
- Icing reduces swelling, decreases lactic acid
buildup, and improves recovery.
 Works Cited
Beeman, Anthony. "A Kinetic and Dynamic Analysis of the American Football
Overhead Throwing Motion." Rensselaer, 7 Dec. 2015, www.ewp.rpi.edu/
hartford/~beemaa/MANE-6970/Other/a)%20Project%20Proposal/
Beeman%20Project%20Proposal%209-20-15.pdf. Accessed 20 Nov. 2017.

Carney, Sean. "Movement 1: Throwing a Spiral." Biomechanics, 9 Mar. 2011,

biomechanicsoffootball.blogspot.com. Accessed 20 Nov. 2017.

Haley, Andy. "Quarterbacks: 4 Tips to Keep Your Throwing Shoulder Healthy."

Stack.com, 14 Oct. 2014, www.stack.com/a/
quarterback-throwing-shoulder. Accessed 5 Dec. 2017.

Onkst, Timothy. "Which Muscles Are Used When Throwing a Football?"

Livestrong.com, 11 Sept. 2017, www.livestrong.com/article/
404632-which-muscles-are-used-when-throwing-a-football/. Accessed 5 Dec.
2017.

Purves, Jeffery. "Biomechanics in American Football | The Quarterback Throw."

Biomechanics of the Quarterback Throw, 17 June 201t,
biomechanicsofthequarterbackthrow.blogspot.com. Accessed 20 Nov. 2017.

Wilk, Kevin E., and Gene G. Jameson. "Biomechanics and Rehabilitation of Elbow
Injuries during Throwinng." Athletic Threapy Today. Humankinetics.com,
www.humankinetics.com/acucustom/sitename/Documents/DocumentItem/3217.pdf.
Accessed 20 Nov. 2017.