| How to Throw a Football Posted: 02 May 2022 01:00 AM PDT Mastering good football throwing technique means your passes will fly farther, land more precisely, and be easier to catch. More importantly, you'll reduce your risk for common throwing injuries. The steps below will help you improve your passing game and be better able to deliver the "perfect spiral." [Edit]Basic Passing Technique - Stretch before throwing. Focus on stretching your whole body - not just your arms. Football throwing is a complex physio-mechanical process that uses multiple muscle groups, including your core, legs, and shoulders.When you throw your ring finger and pinkie finger on the middle laces.Your middle finger next to the top lace.[1] Pay special attention to these areas as these muscles will stabilize your body and add power to your throw.
- Grip the football. The most common way to hold the football is with your ring and little fingers crossing the laces and your thumb underneath. Your index finger should be over a seam, and your thumb and index fingers should make an "L" shape.
- Many quarterbacks prefer variations on the common grip on the ball, as described above. For instance, Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning lays his middle finger across the laces in addition to his ring and little fingers.[2] Experiment to see which position is most comfortable for you.
- Don't "palm" the football. Hold it lightly with your fingertips. Some palm contact is OK, but try to keep space between the center of the palm and the ball.
- Don't grip the ball too tightly. Keep your hold firm but loose - you'll be able to adjust your grip more easily.
- Position your body in the throwing stance. Face 90 degrees away from your target. If you throw with your right hand, turn to the right, and vice versa if you throw with your left hand. Turn your pivot foot (opposite your throwing arm) so that it's pointing toward your target. Keep your eyes on the target.
- Hold the ball near your ear. Before you throw the ball, keep it up near your ear, stabilizing it with your non-throwing hand. This allows you to be ready to throw the ball quickly at any time, minimizing the risk of telegraphing your pass to a defender.
- Wind back. Release your non-throwing hand from the ball. Wind your throwing arm back, stopping just behind your ear.
- Throw in a half-circular motion. Quickly swing your throwing arm forward in a circular arc. Release the ball midway through the circle. Your empty hand should then head toward your non-dominant hip, palm facing away from you. Practice this motion a few times before you let go of the ball.
- Use the rest of your body to build momentum for your throw. The hips, legs and shoulders can add great power to a pass.[3] Step forward with your non-dominant (or pivot) foot, and move your non-dominant elbow down toward your back. Rotate your hips and shoulders in the direction of the pass.
- Release the ball with your fingertips. As the football leaves your hand, it should roll off of your fingertips. Your index finger will be the last part of your body touching the ball. This provides the spin that creates the desired "spiral" effect.
- A proper throw will feel like it's only utilizing the thumb, index, and middle finger. The other two fingers on your hand stabilize the ball as it's being flung. They are not generally used to impart spin on the ball.
- To impart more spin on the pass, you may snap your wrist forward as you follow through to the hip.
- Practice, practice, practice. Persistent, dedicated practice will improve your accuracy and distance. While practicing, experiment with small adjustments in your stance and grip. Once you have mastered the basics, these small changes allow you to fine-tune your technique to maximize comfort and results.
[Edit]Hail Mary Passes - Know when to attempt a Hail Mary. Hail Mary passes are high-risk and long-range. They originally gained their name from Catholic university football teams that would say a prayer before especially desperate plays[4]. Hail Mary passes are typically only thrown when the offensive team needs to gain substantial yards (usually with little play time remaining) and is unable to attempt a conventional play. Consider throwing a Hail Mary in situations like the following:
- You possess the ball for the last play of the half and are a long way from the end zone.
- You have to complete a long fourth-down play and punting isn't advisable (for instance, if the game will end during the next possession and you are behind.)
- You possess the ball for the last play of the game and can potentially prevent the game going into overtime by scoring.
- Caution: Long passes are risky - it's difficult for even the best quarterbacks to throw accurately at extremely long distances, and because these passes typically travel in a higher arc, they are easier for the defense to intercept. Also, because the receivers require more time to get into position for the pass, the quarterback is open to a sack for more time. For these reasons, use caution when throwing Hail Mary Passes.
- Assume the passing stance. Grip the back of the football with your index finger, middle finger and thumb, laying whichever fingers are comfortable (including your ring finger and pinky) over the ball's laces. Keep a slight bend in your knees. Face ninety degrees away from your target with your throwing hand away from him and your forward foot pointed forward.
- Because you will need to wait longer than usual before throwing the pass, drop back especially far after receiving the snap - you'll be more able to avoid rushers. If you are tackled while throwing, see Method Four below.
- Right before you throw the ball, step backwards. Keep the ball in the "ready to throw" position near your ear. By stepping back, you are positioning yourself to push forward as you throw, giving your throw greater momentum.
- Lean backwards slightly as you begin to throw the ball. Cock your arm backward behind your head in a wind-up motion. Bend your knees slightly as you push off of the ground with your back foot and begin to step forward.
- Throw the ball in a high, fast arc over your head. Lean forward as you throw the ball. Rotate your hips and shoulders through the throw as you continue to step forward. By stepping forward, rotating, and leaning into the pass, you impart additional momentum on the ball, sending it farther down the field.
- Allow the ball to roll off your fingers as in Method One above. Follow through the motion by continuing to step forward until you naturally slow down. Don't lose focus now - if your Hail Mary is intercepted, you may need to try to tackle the ball carrier!
- For best results, try to arc the ball high enough that it reaches your receiver's hands while passing over his defender's head. To arc the ball higher, release it a split-second earlier in your throw.
[Edit]Bullet Passes - Know when to attempt a bullet pass. Bullet passes are short-range, high-speed passes. The goal when throwing a bullet is to make the ball travel as fast and in as flat of an arc as possible. Bullets are thrown during quick, short-range plays - because they are fast, they are harder to intercept, so they are especially useful when the ball needs to be thrown near a defender to reach a receiver. Bullet passes can be useful for:
- Gaining several yards to convert a first down.
- Scoring a touchdown on a goal line play.
- Quickly getting the ball to a fast, maneuverable runner.
- Assume the passing stance. Grip the back of the football comfortably over the ball's laces. Face ninety degrees away from your receiver (with throwing hand away from him). Stay light on your feet, with your forward foot pointing forward.
- Don't drop back as far as you would for a Hail Mary pass. Your goal is to execute the pass as quickly as possible - look for your receiver immediately.
- Cock your arm back to the side of your head. Don't cock your arm behind your head, as you would for a Hail Mary - throwing the ball over your head will send it too high. Stay light on your feet, with your knees slightly bent.
- Step forward hard as you begin to throw. Stepping forward hard is a good, quick way to put additional momentum on the throw, since you won't usually have time or space to perform the backward-then-forward footwork like you would with a Hail Mary.
- Snap your arm forward in a tight, controlled arc. Throwing a bullet pass should feel like throwing a punch - it's a short, powerful motion done all at once. Put lots of power into the throw to make the ball fly as quickly as possible. Throw the ball in as flat of an arc as possible - release it a split-second later than you normally would for a flatter arc.
- Follow through with your shoulders and hips as normal. Because the motions involved with a bullet pass are tighter and quicker than those of other passes, you may not need to rotate your body as far as you would for a normal pass. Allow the ball to roll off of your fingers for a spiral.
[Edit]Throwing While Being Tackled - Know your options. The best option of all, of course, is to avoid situations where you have to make a split-second decision or be sacked. Unfortunately, every quarterback finds himself in this situation eventually. If a sack is imminent, throwing the ball is only one of your options. Based on the circumstances on the field, you may also choose to do one of the following:
- Run the ball. If your linemen have made an opening for you, you may want to dodge any rushers and run forward for a possible gain of several yards. If there's no openings, you should run up the side of the field. In both situations, you may still be tackled for a loss of yards, but you still avoid an especially damaging sack.
- Execute a lateral. If there is an open and attentive offensive player (usually a running back), you can toss the ball to him as long as he is behind or to the side of you. This is called a "lateral." If an attempted lateral goes forward, it is usually illegal and will receive a penalty.
- Know your field position. Intentionally throwing the ball away to avoid a sack can be illegal based on where you are on the field. In the NFL, throwing the ball away while you are within the "pocket" formed by your offensive tackles results in an Intentional Grounding penalty. However, if you are outside the pocket, you may throw the ball away.
- An intentional grounding penalty results in a loss of - worse than many sacks. Because of this, it may be better to take a small loss of yards if you are in the pocket.
- If you're about to be tackled, act sooner rather than later. In the NFL, a pass begins when the passer begins to bring his hand forward. Thus, the quicker you initiate the pass, the more likely you are to have an incomplete pass called (which will result in no lost yards.)
- Try to take a tackle in the lower body. It's difficult to maneuver in the instant before being tackled, but, if possible, try to ensure the tackler grabs your lower body. If he wraps your arms up, you won't be able to throw and may even risk a fumble.
- Keep your arms free, but if you can't throw before you're tackled, tuck the ball in as you fall. This way, you're less likely to lose control of it and fumble.
- Concentrate on your receiver as you're tackled, throwing to him only if he is open. If you're feeling lucky and you can't see any receivers as you're being tackled, you can try passing the ball so that it is blocked by part of a defender's body but is not caught. This is risky, but will result in an incomplete pass.
- Use as much of your body as you can to generate momentum. This will vary based on which parts of your body the tackler has a hold on. If you have a free leg, step into the pass. If your upper body is free, roll your shoulders through the pass.
- Throw over defenders' heads. The only outcome worse than a sack is an interception, so make sure the pass is out of reach of any defenders between you and the receiver. This may require throwing over the body of your tackler if you are being tackled from the front.
Another great way to throw a football is to put your thumb on the last lace and hold the bottom and it is super easy and A good way to get a good spiral every throw. - Never underestimate the impact of whether you twist/rotate your shoulders enough, or not. Rotating your shoulders (before and after the throw) affects the power of your throw, its momentum and accuracy.
- Do more push-ups, as muscle building, and you will be able to throw further.
- When you throw, flick your hand.
- When releasing the football, make sure to drop your index finger and middle finger downwards. This helps improve the accuracy of the throw, and this technique was used by Super Bowl winning quarterback, Joe Montana.
- To increase power and endurance, practice an effective exercise regimen. An all-over workout with an emphasis on core, shoulder, and leg strength will improve passing performance along with overall athleticism. Consult our wikiHow on how to build core strength.
- Incorporate your skills into the game. Throwing a perfect pass is much harder when you are under the pressure of an aggressive defense. Playing against defensive players requires you to make on-the-fly changes in your positioning and technique to avoid a sack or interception - great for improving your skill and intuition.
- Release and follow through are just as important as the throwing motion - they make the difference between a wobbly "duck" pass and a bullet pass that hits the receiver square in the chest. Try to "throw" your shoulders when you throw, using your torso to rotate your shoulders to give you more power on your throws. Your hand should touch your opposite hip on the follow through.
[Edit]Warnings - Do not hurl the ball with the palm of your hand. Instead of spiraling, the ball will flop end-over-end in the air. Out-of control passes like this are much less accurate.
- Take care of your throwing shoulder. Overuse injuries are common for quarterbacks - they have been shown to account for about 14% of all quarterback injuries, with the rotator cuff the most common site of injury.[5] If you experience shoulder pain, stop throwing the football. If pain persists, make an appointment with a sports medicine expert.
- Avoid throwing with your non-dominant arm unless you are in danger of being sacked and are dumping the ball for a short completion. Most receivers need time to adjust to the opposite spiral on the ball.
- Avoid the following bad habits, as they can lead to injury:
- Throwing with only one foot on the ground.
- Throwing while leaning back.
- Throwing across your body (i.e. throwing to the left when facing right).
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| How to Paint Stainless Steel Posted: 01 May 2022 05:00 PM PDT There are a few ways to paint and finish stainless steel. You can make your project stand out using techniques such as paint, powder coating, wax, patinas, or varnish. Paint can be a bit difficult because the finished surface of stainless steel is completely smooth and so the cohesion process is more difficult. However, if you prefer different a color or texture then paint is certainly an option. [Edit]Preparing to Paint - Buy your paint. Use a high quality, oil-based paint. You can either spray, brush, or roll it on depending on what look you are trying to achieve. Buy the appropriate painting tools depending on which tool you want to use.
- Spraying the paint on will give it the smoothest look, rolling the paint on will add a little texture, and brushing the paint on will add a ton of texture.
- Get the right wax. You can find many high-quality waxes at a home improvement store that are specifically made for metalwork. Ask for that type of wax when you go to buy it. You will use the wax after the painting is finished for a final seal.
- Scruff up your stainless steel. If your stainless steel is relatively new and hasn't already had years of abuse, you may need to do some damage to it yourself. Stainless steel has such a smooth finish that the paint has a hard time sticking to it.[1] If your stainless steel has been scuffed up over years of use, the paint might stick. Otherwise you will need to use a sander to scuff up the paint.[2] You don't need to destroy the stainless steel, just add some scuff marks to simulate normal usage.
- You can rent a sander from your local home improvement store.
- If you don't want to rent a sander you can try doing manual abrasion. Grab a wire sponge and spend some time scraping at the stainless steel with the sponge. This may be able to simulate scuff marks too.
- Clean and prep your stainless steel. You need to rid the stainless steel of any grease, dirt, or other debris.[3] It's a good idea to use a specialized steel cleaner or a degreaser, both of which can be found at a home improvement store. If you use a cleaner, note the drying time listed on the bottle. Wait that amount of time before continuing your project.[4]
[Edit]Painting Your Stainless Steel - Buy primer. Use any kind of primer that is rated for stainless steel.[5] Primer has a special bonding agent that allows it to hold to most substances, but you still need to get a high-quality stainless steel primer. This will give you the smoothest result.[6]
- White primer is recommended for most colors, but if you are painting your stainless steel a very dark color you might consider a darker primer.
- Apply your primer. If you want a very smooth application, consider renting a spraying machine from a home improvement store. You can also use a paintbrush but you might leave ridges from the brush. Apply one coat of primer over the entire area you plan to paint.[7]
- If you are using a sprayer, hold the nozzle away from the stainless steel. Try to use a wide mist.
- If you use a sprayer, make sure you paint in one direction. You may have ridges, but at least the grain of the paint will look consistent.[8]
- Let the primer dry before you start painting.
- Begin adding layers of paint. You've already completed the hard parts. Now all you need to do is add layers of paint to your stainless steel. Once your primer has dried you can start adding layers, but you should wait for each layer of paint to dry before you add a new one. Two or three layers should do the trick. Once again, you need to make the decision between a paintbrush and a sprayer. If you used the paintbrush to apply primer then you should use the paintbrush to apply the paint too. [9]
- If you like the ridges and texture that a paintbrush offers you can also consider using a rag to add additional textures.
- Let dry. Consult with the directions on the paint you bought so you know how long it takes to dry. Once it's dry, you're good to go.
- Wax the steel once it is completely dry. Apply a thin coat to the whole area that you painted and let the wax dry until it has a hazy look to it. Now take a clean dry cloth and buff the wax. This will add a final seal.[10]
- It's okay to use automotive wax.
[Edit]Considering Other Options - Visit a professional powder coater (look in the yellow pages). This is an electrostatic process where plastic/epoxy powder is deposited in a very thin layer all over the surface and then baked on. The advantages of powder coating are flexibility, a very wide range of colors and textures, and the ability of the powder to adhere to small voids and cracks on the surface without drips or runs.
- Choose the perfect patina.[11] These are chemical formulations made to cause surface changes and coloration to metal. Some are used hot, while others are applied cold, there are many to choose from and they also allow you to highlight your project while maintaining a natural finish. Often waxes are applied afterwards to provide a final seal.
- Varnish your metal. Marine varnish is another way to put a final coat on your metalwork. Varnish has the advantage of being easy and forgiving to apply, however your work will have an obvious "clear-coated" look that is not always desirable. Varnish is very easy to touch up later and to redo as maintenance at a later date without changing the overall finish.
- Try nail polish. For painting small areas or writing on your metal, nail polish sticks very well and looks great. It comes in every shade imaginable, though, red hues are more widely available.
- Always follow all label instructions and do research with the manufacturer for best results.
- Always work in a dust-free environment to avoid contamination.
- Make sure each coat or process is completely cured and dried before applying additional coats.
- For powder coating, sandblasting is sometimes necessary, and they will usually dip your metal in an iron phosphate bath prior to coating for best adhesion.
- Always start with clean metal. Use degreasing solvents such as alcohol, acetone, or methyl ethyl ketone.
- Never mix chemicals against manufacturers instructions.
- Wear chemical resistant gloves and face/eye protection.
- Always work in a well-ventilated area.
- Always wear proper respiratory equipment.
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| How to Write a Poem Posted: 01 May 2022 09:00 AM PDT Writing a poem is about observing the world within or around you. A poem can be about anything, from love to loss to the rusty gate at the old farm. Writing poetry can seem daunting, especially if you do not feel you are naturally creative or bursting with poetic ideas. With the right inspiration and approach, you can write a poem that you can be proud to share with others in the class or with your friends. [Edit]Sample Poems [Edit]Starting the Poem - Do writing exercises. A poem might start as a snippet of a verse, a line or two that seems to come out of nowhere, or an image you cannot get out of your head. You can find inspiration for your poem by doing writing exercises and using the world around you. Once you have inspiration, you can then shape and mould your thoughts into a poem.[1]
- Get inspired by your environment and those close to you. Inspiration for a great poem is all around you, even if you don't see it just yet. Think of every memory, situation and moment as a possible topic and you'll start seeing poetry all around you!
- Pick a specific theme or idea. You can start your poem by focusing on a specific theme or idea that you find fascinating. Picking a specific theme or idea to focus on in the poem can give your poem a clear goal or objective.
This can make it easier for you to narrow down what images and descriptions you are going to use in your poem. [2] - For example, you may decide to write a poem around the theme of "love and friendship." You may then think about specific moments in your life where you experienced love and friendship as well as how you would characterize love and friendship based on your relationships with others.
- Try to be specific when you choose a theme or idea, as this can help your poem feel less vague or unclear. For example, rather than choosing the general theme of "loss," you may choose the more specific theme, such as "loss of a child" or "loss of a best friend."
- Choose a poetic form. Get your creative juices flowing by picking a form for your poem.
There are many different poetic forms that you can use, from free verse to sonnet to rhyming couplet. - You may decide to try a poetic form that is short, such as the haiku, the cinquain, or the shape poem. You could then play around with the poetic form and have fun with the challenges of a particular form. Try rearranging words to make your poem sound interesting.
- You may opt for a form that is more funny and playful, such as the limerick form, if you are trying to write a funny poem. Or you may go for a more lyrical form like the sonnet, the ballad, or the rhyming couplet for a poem that is more dramatic and romantic.
- Read examples of poetry. To get a better sense of what other poets are writing, you may look through examples of poetry. You may read poems written in the same poetic form you are interested in or poems about themes or ideas that you find inspiring. You may also choose poems that are well known and considered "classics" to get a better sense of the genre. For example, you may read:
- "Kubla Khan" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge[4]
- "Song of Myself" by Walt Whitman[5]
- "I measure every Grief I meet" by Emily Dickinson[6]
- "Sonnet 18" by William Shakespeare[7]
- "One Art" by Elizabeth Bishop[8]
- "Night Funeral in Harlem" by Langston Hughes[9]
- "The Red Wheelbarrow" by William Carlos Williams [10]
[Edit]Writing the Poem - Use concrete imagery. Avoid abstract imagery and go for concrete descriptions of people, places, and things in your poem. You should always try to describe something
using the five senses: smell, taste, touch, sight, and sound. Using concrete imagery will immerse your reader in the world of your poem and make images come alive for them.[11] - For example, rather than try to describe a feeling or image with abstract words, use concrete words instead. Rather than write, "I felt happy," you may use concrete words to create a concrete image, such as, "My smile lit up the room like wildfire."
- Include literary devices. Literary devices like metaphor and simile add variety and depth to your poetry. Using these devices can make your poem stand out to your reader and allow you to paint a detailed picture for your reader. Try to use literary devices throughout your poem, varying them so you do not use only metaphors or only similes in your writing.[12]
- Write for the ear. Poetry is made to be read out loud and you should write your poem with a focus on how it sounds on the page. Writing for the ear will allow you to play with the structure of your poem and your word choice.
Notice how each line of your poem flows into one another and how placing one word next to another creates a certain sound [13] - For example, you may notice how the word "glow" sounds compared to the word "glitter." "Glow" has an "ow" sound, which conjures an image of warmth and softness to the listener. The word "glitter" is two syllables and has a more pronounced "tt" sound. This word creates a sharper, more rhythmic sound for the listener.
- Avoid cliche. Your poetry will be much stronger if you avoid cliches, which are phrases that have become so familiar they have lost their meaning. Go for creative descriptions and images in your poem so your reader is surprised and intrigued by your writing. If you feel a certain phrase or image will be too familiar to your reader, replace it with a more unique phrase.[14]
- For example, you may notice you have used the cliche, "she was as busy as a bee" to describe a person in your poem. You may replace this cliche with a more unique phrase, such as "her hands were always occupied" or "she moved through the kitchen at a frantic pace."
[Edit]Polishing the Poem - Read the poem out loud. Once you have completed a draft of the poem, you should read it aloud to yourself. Notice how the words sound on the page. Pay attention to how each line of your poem flows into the next.
Keep a pen close by so you can mark any lines or words that sound awkward or jumbled. [15] - You may also read the poem out loud to others, such as friends, family, or a partner. Have them respond to the poem on the initial listen and notice if they seem confused or unclear about certain phrases or lines.
- Get feedback from others. You can also share your poem with other poets to get feedback from them and improve your poem. You may join a poetry writing group, where you workshop your poems with other poets and work on your poetry together. Or you may take a poetry writing class where you work with an instructor and other aspiring poets to improve your writing. You can then take the feedback you receive from your peers and use it in your revision of the poem.[16]
- Revise your poem. Once you have received feedback on your poem, you should revise it until it is at its best. Use feedback from others to cut out any lines to feel confusing or unclear. Be willing to "kill your darlings" and not hold onto pretty lines just for the sake of including them in the poem.
Make sure every line of the poem contributes to the overall goal, theme, or idea of the poem. [17] - You may go over the poem with a fine-tooth comb and remove any cliches or familiar phrases. You should also make sure spelling and grammar in the poem are correct.
- Brainstorm big things in your life and how they have impacted you. For example, if you write about how someone you know died, the tone of the poem could be the great sadness and loss you feel deep down and how it feels like a piece of you is missing.
- Think about what really matters in your life. It can give you ideas when you think about the people and places you love. You can write a poem in the form of the struggles in your life or the dangers you have had to face. You can also write a poem about happiness someone or something has brought to your life. Remember, what you write about should set the mood of your poem.
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