How to Grasp, Hold and Handle a Football Properly

Even at the highest level of professional football, NFLplace the ball between your forearm and your ribs.
coaches each year during mini camps and trainingAlthough those are legitimate techniques, I like to refer
camps, instruct players how to handle and hold ato a football hold that is a proven method. There is
football properly. You would think after so many yearsonly one player in the NFL that has the least amount
of playing the same game each year, professionalof fumbles in the last 5 seasons, and it is not by
football players wouldn't need to be taught one of thechance.
simplest principles of football. However, the problem isTiki Barber of the New York Giants has been the
that if holding and securing a football was a conceptforerunner in implementing and teaching the proper
so easy, then why are over a 100 footballs fumbled inmethod of ball holding. His technique is simple: with the
games throughout each season?ball firmly grasped with the fingers and forearm, place
This article is dedicated to the simple concept of howthe football directly across your chest and hold on for
to grasp, hold, and handle a football. The methodsdear life. (It should look like you are stabbing yourself in
taught throughout this article are techniques taught bythe middle of your chest.) Think of it as how you might
some of the greatest coaches in the NFL today. Ifhold a brand new infant. You are not going to hold her
applied, these principles will give the reader anunder your arms are next to your ribs. The best and
opportunity to better themselves as football playersmost secure hold is sustained by holding the baby
and be more reliable during critical moments of games.across your chest. Through many years this technique
The Graspseems to be the most reliable and less likely to cough
Many coaches and players teach the initial grasp ofoff the football while being engaged with incoming
the football is the first indicator if the ball will be fumbleddefenders.
or not. Therefore, practicing and staying consistent withThe Handle
the way you initially grasp the ball will dramaticallySince the first years of professional football to the
reduce the number of fumbles you may incur. In fact ifdays of Vince Lombardi, NFL coaches have always
you take a mental note every time you touch the ballunderstood one simple truth about the proper way to
and place your hands in the correct manner, it ishandle a football. Once a player has the grasp and
proven the number of likely fumbles will be cut in half.hold, maintain the football in your outside arm at all
The proper way to grasp a football is done by placingtimes.
the tip of the index finger directly over the tip of theThis technique is based on simple probabilities. Think
ball, while the rest of the hand grasps as much of theabout it; a player is more likely to be tackled by a
surface area of the ball as possible. The remainingdefender pursuing from the inside out. For that reason
surface area of the ball is then supported directly onevery time you run drills, practice or walk with a
the inside of the wrist and forearm. Thus, the tips offootball, create a habit of always placing the football in
the finger down to the mid section of the forearmyour outside arm. You will have more control and ability
sustain the football during the initial grasp.to protect the football from ever coming loose.
The HoldAlways remember, games are lost or won by fumbles.
"The Hold" of a football is sometimes an item ofDo you ever want to be that guy that loses a Pop
debate among coaches in today's collegiate andWarner, Junior High, High School, College, or NFL
professional coaches. Some coaches believe yougame? Start preparing NOW to properly grasp, hold
should hold the football directly under your armpit, orand handle a football!