Spiral (football)
Bradbury Robinson, who threw the first legal forward pass, demonstrates an "Overhand spiral—fingers on lacing"[1]
In American football, a spiral is the continuous in-flight rotation around the longitudinal axis of a football following its release from the hand of a passer[2][3] or foot of a punter.
History[]
Pop Warner is credited for teaching his players both the spiral punt and the spiral pass.[4]
Pass[]
The development of the forward pass is traced to Eddie Cochems and Bradbury Robinson at St. Louis. Howard R. Reiter also claimed to develop the overhand forward pass.
Punt[]
Alex Moffat invented the spiral punt, described by one writer as "a dramatic change from the traditional end-over-end kicks."[5] He also invented the drop kick.[6]
See also[]
References[]
- ^ Cochems, Eddie, "The Forward Pass and On-Side Kick", Spalding's How to Play Foot Ball, American Sports Publishing, Walter Camp, Editor, Revised 1907 edition
- ^ "What is Spiral? Definition from SportingCharts.com". sportingcharts.com.
- ^ Chad Orzel. "Football Physics: Why Throw A Spiral?". Forbes.
- ^ "A course in football for players and coaches".
- ^ David M. Nelson. The Anatomy of a Game: Football, the Rules, and the Men who Made the Game. p. 53.
- ^ Mark F. Bernstein. Princeton Football. p. 14.
Categories:
- American football terminology