Spiral (football)

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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[]

  1. ^ 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
  2. ^ "What is Spiral? Definition from SportingCharts.com". sportingcharts.com.
  3. ^ Chad Orzel. "Football Physics: Why Throw A Spiral?". Forbes.
  4. ^ "A course in football for players and coaches".
  5. ^ David M. Nelson. The Anatomy of a Game: Football, the Rules, and the Men who Made the Game. p. 53.
  6. ^ Mark F. Bernstein. Princeton Football. p. 14.
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