Question about QB's.......

[Butterfrog 2.0]

I never really payed much attaention before, but the last couple of weeks since Harrington has been starting I've noticed that he always pats the ball right before he throws it. Then I started looking at other games and other QB's were doing it too. Now isn't it BAD to do this? I know from little league all the way up through high school we were always taught not to do that. It's kinda wierd IMO, cuz what is the prupose of it, I mean I'm assuming that it's some kind of instinctive thing, but doesn't it just give the DB a hint the the ball is about to be thrown....... I know it's less than a second but still, if you're a DB and see the QB pat the ball and he's looking your way then it still tells you that the ball IS going in that direction. Anyone else notice this, or know what/why this happens???

 

[DoggPhin]

I was watching Peyton Manning in tonight's game and he definitely does it. The reason I believe is to get a better grip on the ball right before releasing it, so you throw a tighter ball that way. Contrary to popular belief it's not that easy to hurl a football 20+ yards on a perfect spiral.

 

[SCall13]

I was watching Peyton Manning in tonight's game and he definitely does it. The reason I believe is to get a better grip on the ball right before releasing it, so you throw a tighter ball that way. Contrary to popular belief it's not that easy to hurl a football 20+ yards on a perfect spiral.

You're right, it isn't. I played QB for a long time and I patted the ball too. And the reason I patted the ball was for the reason you stated: it gives you quick better grip. But you also get so used to doing it, that it actually becomes part of your rythm. I'd go out on a limb and say at least 75% of the QBs do it or something similar.

 

[Butterfrog 2.0]

You're right, it isn't. I played QB for a long time and I patted the ball too. And the reason I patted the ball was for the reason you stated: it gives you quick better grip. But you also get so used to doing it, that it actually becomes part of your rythm. I'd go out on a limb and say at least 75% of the QBs do it or something similar.

Hmmm....... Interesting. I played QB in HS, and I never did it, lol, I'm not sure about it giving you a better grip, it sounds a little funny to me to be honest. Holding a football is easy once you get your hand around it correctly, I even went out to throw the ball around with some of my friends yesterday......... I went through some regular 3 and 7 step drops and threw like I would if I was really playing, and I tried patting the ball beofre I threw and it threw me Way off. I can still throw a nice spiral 40 yards or so down field but I was having a hard time getting a nice ball 15-20 after patting it. IDK........ just something you get used to I guess

 

[cpeppfan]

i play qb for my college, actually im backup right now, but ill be starting next year as a sophmore. patting the ball can be good and bad according to my coach. the good is it does actually help protect the ball a little, saying if a defender is coming up behind you, and u pat the ball and get tackled you should be able to hold onto the ball with both hands instead of one. but the bad thing about it is, defenders..especially lbs will know when u are throwing the ball, and will watch for the qb to do a pattern...such as patting the ball. i personally dont like it because it takes an extra second and can throw off the timing of the pass, such as harringtons passes yesterday, he either put way to much on the throws, or way to little, and i promise someone who doesnt pat the ball, the ball will be there on time, or it should be. but someone like peyton manning, he can get away with it. also look how harrington delivers the ball, he holds the ball pretty low, then brings it up, pats it and throws, where as daunte usually has both hands by his shoulders, and just lets it go.