When I throw a football, when the ball comes down, the nose is up, when a pro does it points down, why?

Question

Someone said the balls in the NFL and NCAA are filled with helium. Is that true?

Answer 1

As a physics and chemistry teacher, let me address this......

First off, I doubt that helium would make much of a difference. That and I really doubt that they use helium. Helium is an extremely small atom, and it tends to leak out of the pores of any container (like a balloon or football) pretty quickly compared to a larger atom or molecule like nitrogen. I'd find it more believable that they're filled with pure nitrogen, which has slightly different (more consistent) characteristics than plain old air.
Secondly, the balls used in college and pros are a little different. One is a little longer and thinner and more aerodynamic, one is a little shorter and fatter and less aerodynamic. These two different balls would vary not only in their aerodynamic characteristics, but also in their gyroscopic tendencies (which would be greatly affected by aerodynamic drag). The longer thinner ball would have a smaller radius of gyration than the shorter fatter one. They would have different tendencies when it came to tumbling and wobbling.
At any rate, once you get them spinning, ideally they both should gyroscopically stay pointed in the same direction. But.....drag of various sorts will begin to put forces on the ball and usually get it to wobbling or tumbling some.
I've noticed that high schoolers and on down tend to point the axis of the ball directly up at the angle it's going. Then on the way down, it's not pointed the direction it is traveling.
With college and up, they usually point it slightly lower, maybe even horizontal, even though the ball is traveling up. This gives it a better point when it's at the apex of its parabolic trajectory, allowing it to travel horizontally with greater speed. When your ball is traveling that fast and at that height, it seems to have a longer travel, that's an advantage that most kids would never have the chance to learn about.
It's pretty danged impossible to have the ball spin about its long axis and then also slowly rotate so that the nose comes down. Gyroscopic tendencies work against you there. But the best throwers can make the drags work for them and apply the forces so that it can happen somewhat consistenly. Mostly, though, the NFL guys can heave that stinking ball up in the air, they're pretty strong, and not have it pointing up to begin with. So it's traveling horizonally faster than you can throw it.

Answer 2

Just like in baseball where the tie goes to the runner, the wide-receiver gets the football if he and a defensive back come down with the ball at the same time. Offense is given the advantage in sports in the event of a tie, and college football rules are no different.

Answer 3

i think its because you releasing the ball at the wrong time... so its not getting a proper arc. or you are holding the ball to forward in your hand. try just putting the ring finger on your throwing hand(between the first knuckle and your fingernail) on the second lace of the football, thats how i throw the foot ball and i played QB in high school and in college.

Answer 4

it's not the ball man, it's you. You need to work on you mechanics. Just google how to throw a football and it will tell you what your doing wrong.

Answer 5

Hey I'm here for the first time. I found this question and I find the replies truly useful. I'm hoping to give something back and help others too.

Answer 6

They don't put helium in the balls. It probably has something to do with your throwing motion and or release point.

Answer 7

The Mythbusters did an episode about Helium in footballs to see if you could kick it further. They found no difference.

Answer 8

maybe it's the way you're holding the ball or it could be the way that you're releasing the ball as well

Answer 9

coz hes a pro

Answer 10

It means you stink