Spiral (football)

For other uses, see Spiral (disambiguation).

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.

Bradbury Robinson, who threw the first legal forward pass, demonstrates an "Overhand spiral—fingers on lacing"^[1]

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

• Spiral
• Torpedo punt
• Forward pass