Ball Carrying: 5 Points of Contact

Today we are going to discuss how to properly carry the football. It does not matter if you’re an offensive player, defensive player, offensive lineman or even a kicker. We’ve seen each of these positions carry the football, and we’ve also seen all of these positions fumble due to improper technique while carrying the football. Here are the 5 points of contact to help ball carriers protect the football.

• Finger tips

Make sure all of your fingers are gripping the football. Your index finger should go over the nose of the ball. 

• Palm

Your palm needs to have firm placement on the ball as well. Using both your fingers and palm to have a good grip on the ball

• Forearm

Next point of contact is the forearm. While gripping the ball with your fingertips and palm, bring the football in to rest against your forearm to have a nice base. We’ve all seen quarterbacks standing in the pocket or scrambling with just their palm and fingertips on the ball. This is why they often fumble the most and defense’s are always instructed to strip the ball from a quarterback. Once you become a runner your forearm has to help you support the football. 

• Bicep 

Fourth point of contact is the bicep. Ball carriers should have the ball in between the forearm and bicep to make sure it doesn’t slip out or cannot get ripped away. People who do not connect the football with their bicep are identified as “loose ball carriers” by opposing teams. They will be aiming for the football the entire game. 

• Chest 

Last point of contact is the chest. Now that you have the ball connected to your bicep you probably feel like you are impervious to strip attempts, but this is not true. Many defensive players have perfected the art of punching the ball out. Most popularly phrased as “peanut punch” after former Chicago Bears defensive back Charles Tillman. This punch is very effective against a ball carrier that holds the ball away from their chest. By holding the ball across the chest you have added an extra layer of support it needs. 

Those are the 5 points of contact that will help you protect the football. For those interested in perfecting different football related techniques like this, please check out our “Camps & Events” and “Training” pages! 

Prepare to Perform!

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