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Flag football · Basic · b2

Throw with a spin

At home 8 min 2 players Yard or lane, park

Ready when: Catching at three heights (b1) started.

Start a session

What you are learning

Throwing a football overarm so it spins round its long point (a spiral), which makes it fly straight and easy to catch. Stand side on, fingers on the laces, step toward the target and let the fingers slide off the ball.

Words on this card Down, Laces, Spiral, Slant
Down
One play, from the snap until the ball carrier's flag is pulled or the pass falls.
Laces
The stitched strip on top of a football where the fingers go.
Spiral
A throw where the ball spins neatly round its long point.
Slant
Route names. Slant: a few steps, then a sharp diagonal cut. Hitch: run forward, stop and turn back. Out: run forward, then cut straight to the sideline. Post: run forward, then cut toward the middle of the goal end. Corner: run forward, then cut toward the far corner. Fly: run straight and fast.

Set up

A ball, two cones 5 yards apart.

Weather: dry ground

The base setup for flag football

Show it first for the one teaching

  1. Hold the ball with the fingers across the laces, the thumb underneath.
  2. Stand side on, the other shoulder pointing at your partner.
  3. Step toward your partner and throw overarm, the elbow high.
  4. Let the fingers slide down the outside of the ball as it leaves, so it spins.

Your part while they practise

Be the target; give a two-hand target at the chest.

Step by step

  1. Side on, fingers on the laces.
  2. Step toward the target.
  3. Throw overarm.
  4. Let the fingers slide down the outside of the ball so it spins.

How much: 10 throws, 3 rounds 8 min a session 4 days a week

Say one thing Pick one line from "What you will see" for today and say only that.

The game: Target throw

Three throws at a hoop or a target; a hit moves you one step back.

Who plays: the child against you, or against their own best.

How to play, turn by turn
Turns
  1. Hang a hoop or mark a target at chest height 3 yards away
  2. Throw three balls at it
  3. Each hit, take one step back for the next turn; three misses in a row, take one step forward
  4. 5 turns
Fair play
A grown-up throws with the other hand.
Points
Your score is the number of steps from the start line at the end of 5 turns.
Fouls
The throw does not count as a hit
  • An underarm throw
  • No step toward the target
  • Stepping over the throwing line
Winning
The most steps back after 5 turns.
Stars
  1. 3 points for 1 star
  2. 6 points for 2 stars
  3. 9 points for 3 stars

Easier or harder

Easier

Closer.

Harder

Throw to a moving partner.

What you will see, and what to say

  • the throw sails high Step toward your targetThe step points the throw.
  • the spiral wobbles Fingers on the lacesGrip across the stitching.

Self-check

6of 10

6 of 10 throws reach the partner at chest height from 5 yards.

Stop and get a coach when

Pain in the shoulder or elbow after throwing.

Fitness for this

Warm up first: how to warm up, at workonfitness.com. For strength and stretching, its exercise library shows each exercise step by step, with an easier version.

This card trains throwing, accuracy.

awiseathlete.com/sports/flag-football/flag-football-b2