LeeD football distance throw challenge

[onehandbh]

How far can you throw a football?

Record a video of your throw.

The tennis service motion has often been compared to a football throw.
There are even some juniors and pros who use a football as part of their training or warmup.
For reference:

• 6 yards - baseline to service line
  
• 13 yards - baseline to the net
• 20 yards - baseline to opposite service line
• 26 yards - baseline to opposite baseline
• 28.6 yards - diagonally from one corner of doubles alley to the other.
• distances to back fence vary.

I haven't thrown a football in 10+ years, but I just attempted it for the first time on a tennis court a couple days ago. I was only able to throw it 37 yards with a terrible wobbly spiral. Used to throw 50+.

 

[jaxadam]

I don't know how FAR I can throw one, but I know I consistently throw it at 120+ mph.

 

[onehandbh]

With so many people on TW able to blast 100+, 110+, 120+ mph serves, I'd imagine quite a few people can throw at least 40 yards easily.

Since a radar isn't needed. this should be easier to prove via video recording. If you can throw it diagonally corner to corner on a court, that is already 28.6 yards.

 

[heninfan99]

I never seen anyone claim this here. Can you list 5?

With so many people on TW able to blast 100+, 110+, 120+ mph serves, I'd imagine quite a few people can throw at least 40 yards easily.

Since a radar isn't needed. this should be easier to prove via video recording. If you can throw it diagonally corner to corner on a court, that is already 28.6 yards.

 

[movdqa]

I don't think that I've ever thrown a football or if I did, it didn't go straight.

You can lose a fair amount of speed on a tennis serve if something minor is off so I'd guess that not knowing how to through a football would be a huge penalty.

> I never seen anyone claim this here. Can you list 5?

LeeD - and he has some video to indicate that it's possible.

I have a friend that was measured at 120+ and another friend who serves faster than my first friend. Both guys are quite tall - the first guy works construction and he's very strong. The second guy was a talented junior tennis player and also a basketball player.

 

[sureshs]

LeeD threw a football from Puerto Rico now and it landed here

 

[Power Player]

Sureshs will fire a 120 bomb down the pipe in his Spraydown with LeeD early in 2016.

 

[GuyClinch]

I don't see what is wrong with throwing a tennis ball from the service line from a service type of position.. This seems more accurate and predictive. With this challenge - I think you are going to annoy the guy in the next court over...or the court beyond the next court..and I don't have a football field to test..

You should be able to chuck it well over the back fence - exhibit A:

 

[onehandbh]

I don't see what is wrong with throwing a tennis ball from the service line from a service type of position.. This seems more accurate and predictive. With this challenge - I think you are going to annoy the guy in the next court over...or the court beyond the next court..and I don't have a football field to test..

You should be able to chuck it well over the back fence - exhibit A:

I think tennis balls are bit too light to throw. I tried the tennis ball throw a little while back. Standing at the back fence I threw it over the opposite back fence. The fences at the court were a little over 21 feet from each baseline.

 

[NLBwell]

I've got a torn tendon in my elbow, so throwing a football is a problem (I've worked around it on my tennis serve). For a long time, I couldn't do it at all. I voted 26 yards, which is about what I was throwing with my son today. It's still hard for me to make it spiral correctly.
When I was playing quarterback in college intramural football, I could easily throw a 20 yard out - so 30-40 yards in the air on a line, but I was never very good at throwing bombs up in the air for long distance. 60 yards was probably a max for me, though it should have been farther based on how I could throw on a line.

 

[eaglesburg]

Depends on the size.

 

[mmk]

Depends on the size.

So you're saying size matters

 

[Mongolmike]

So you're saying size matters

That what she says...

 

[onehandbh]

Depends on the size.

Try holding it more towards the end if you have small hands, or you can use a nerf football.

I hadn't taken hand size into consideration. I think shoe size and hand size are probably somewhat proportional to one's height. Those with smaller hands may have a harder time gripping an NFL size football.

 

[sureshs]

Amazon just canceled their delivery-by-drone plans.

Instead, they have hired LeeD to chuck the packages all over the world.

 

[movdqa]

Perhaps something like a baseball would be a better measure. I'd guess that it would take me a few weeks to learn how to throw it so that it doesn't wobble in the air.

 

[BMC9670]

And remember, to remain true to the "LeeD school of chucking things"... NO WARMUPS ALLOWED!

 

[Turbo-87]

I am Pop Warner+ when throwing a football.

 

[shindemac]

I don't have a football, otherwise i would participate. I have a baseball, but i forgot and don't use it much for throwing practice. I just use tennis balls. I can throw from baseline and hit the back fence.

PS. I have it on video!

 

[GuyClinch]

I think tennis balls are bit too light to throw. I tried the tennis ball throw a little while back. Standing at the back fence I threw it over the opposite back fence. The fences at the court were a little over 21 feet from each baseline.

Did you step into it - or use service motion style throw..? not sure how the lightness matters that much - more arm speed will still add more velocity. It's like throwing a wiffle ball - its hard to throw far or fast - but some guys can do it better then others.

 

[movdqa]

Did you step into it - or use service motion style throw..? not sure how the lightness matters that much - more arm speed will still add more velocity. It's like throwing a wiffle ball - its hard to throw far or fast - but some guys can do it better then others.

Spent some time with Fishbane trying to understand the physics of why you can throw a baseball farther than a tennis ball or a ping-pong ball. It has to do with momentum which is a function of mass so assuming the same initial velocity, and same launch angle, the heavier object, assuming similar profiles, will go farther. This explains why an outfielder can throw a baseball a lot farther than you can throw a ping-pong ball.

 

[sureshs]

Spent some time with Fishbane trying to understand the physics of why you can throw a baseball farther than a tennis ball or a ping-pong ball. It has to do with momentum which is a function of mass so assuming the same initial velocity, and same launch angle, the heavier object, assuming similar profiles, will go farther. This explains why an outfielder can throw a baseball a lot farther than you can throw a ping-pong ball.

That is totally wrong. Read any book with a chapter on 2D projectile motion. The vertical direction has only two parameters - the acceleration due to gravity and the vertical component of the initial velocity. The horizontal direction, assuming no air resistance, has only one parameter, the horizontal component of the initial velocity. Mass plays No role in determining the trajectory parameters, like shape, maximum height, and range.

I suspect the reason that it is easier to throw a heavier object is due to the stretch of the muscles to providing compression and extension, and also due to the "feel" that plays on the mind.

In the table tennis ball case, it is a matter of the above, but the main factor is heavy influence of air drag which cannot be neglected. For a given velocity, the drag force is approximately proportional to the square of the velocity, so the effect on a much lighter mass is much higher.

 

[tennis_balla]

So you're saying size matters

....along with girth

 

[movdqa]

That is totally wrong. Read any book with a chapter on 2D projectile motion. The vertical direction has only two parameters - the acceleration due to gravity and the vertical component of the initial velocity. The horizontal direction, assuming no air resistance, has only one component, the horizontal component of the initial velocity. Mass plays No role in determining the trajectory parameters, like shape, maximum height, and range.

I suspect the reason that it is easier to throw a heavier object is due to the stretch of the muscles to providing compression and extension, and also due to the "feel" that plays on the mind.

I guess that you're not familiar with Fishbane. Physics for Scientists and Engineers, 3rd Edition. I'm familiar with 2-D projectile motion and was wondering why denser objects travel farther given the same initial velocity.

I asked my son about it and he talked about momentum and inertia and I, of course, checked out F=MA where mass does play a part.

So I had a look at the section on collisions as your object is colliding with air. It has to push air out of the way along with pushing air into more air behind it. Mass does matter in collisions. So does size and shape but it appears that density may be a good proxy for size and shape. He said that freshman Newtonian physics assumes no air resistance because the calculations to factor in air resistance requires differential equations and a lot of first-year students are taking calculus concurrently.

At any rate, one should intuitively know that you can throw a heavy object farther, assume the same size and shape. I used to practice hitting table tennis balls at 90-100 MPH (the speeds where getting hit can split your skin open). Even with those kinds of initial velocity, the ball wouldn't travel through the air very far - certainly nowhere near where a professional baseball player could throw a baseball.

 

[indianballer]

Sureshs is reading physics books about stick figure cartoon people... lol.

 

[sureshs]

I guess that you're not familiar with Fishbane. Physics for Scientists and Engineers, 3rd Edition. I'm familiar with 2-D projectile motion and was wondering why denser objects travel farther given the same initial velocity.

I asked my son about it and he talked about momentum and inertia and I, of course, checked out F=MA where mass does play a part.

So I had a look at the section on collisions as your object is colliding with air. It has to push air out of the way along with pushing air into more air behind it. Mass does matter in collisions. So does size and shape but it appears that density may be a good proxy for size and shape. He said that freshman Newtonian physics assumes no air resistance because the calculations to factor in air resistance requires differential equations and a lot of first-year students are taking calculus concurrently.

At any rate, one should intuitively know that you can throw a heavy object farther, assume the same size and shape. I used to practice hitting table tennis balls at 90-100 MPH (the speeds where getting hit can split your skin open). Even with those kinds of initial velocity, the ball wouldn't travel through the air very far - certainly nowhere near where a professional baseball player could throw a baseball.

Yes the reason is the air resistance that is why I said it was an approximation, and why the table tennis ball does not go as long, or the tennis ball compared to a heavier ball like baseball or cricket ball.

 

[movdqa]

Yes the reason is the air resistance that is why I said it was an approximation, and why the table tennis ball does not go as long, or the tennis ball compared to a heavier ball like baseball or cricket ball.

So what I wrote originally was, in fact, correct?

I usually check science/math/computer science stuff with either my son or our large science and math library at home before posting this sort of thing because I want to have some understanding of something before I post it on a public board.

 

[GuyClinch]

Don't worry about the science of it. yes its harder to throw a tennis ball then a football. You can probably throw a baseball farther then a football..its denser. That doesn't mean we should go out and throw baseballs to test. The fact its harder to throw a tennis ball is an advantage in this test. Also football is confounded by the fact most people don't throw a great spiral..

 

[RetroSpin]

Projectile motion equations assume that gravity is the only force acting on the projectile. They do not adequately describe the motion of a body upon which air resistance is a material factor.

 

[movdqa]

Don't worry about the science of it. yes its harder to throw a tennis ball then a football. You can probably throw a baseball farther then a football..its denser. That doesn't mean we should go out and throw baseballs to test. The fact its harder to throw a tennis ball is an advantage in this test. Also football is confounded by the fact most people don't throw a great spiral..

Some of us are math/science guys and are naturally curious about these kinds of things. If you ever want to kill productivity in a group doing science and math work, bring in an interesting puzzle.

 

[comeback]

But from the baseline; LeeD can SPIKE the football over the back fence with a running discus like circular start

 

[Deleted member 23235]

How far can you throw a football?

Record a video of your throw.

The tennis service motion has often been compared to a football throw.
There are even some juniors and pros who use a football as part of their training or warmup.
For reference:

• 6 yards - baseline to service line
  
• 13 yards - baseline to the net
• 20 yards - baseline to opposite service line
• 26 yards - baseline to opposite baseline
• 28.6 yards - diagonally from one corner of doubles alley to the other.
• distances to back fence vary.

I haven't thrown a football in 10+ years, but I just attempted it for the first time on a tennis court a couple days ago. I was only able to throw it 37 yards with a terrible wobbly spiral. Used to throw 50+.

lol, you first,... where's the video?

 

[onehandbh]

lol, you first,... where's the video?

Okay, but when you see the video, please add 30 yards to my throw because my throw will look a lot shorter on video. Sort of like how the camera adds 10-15 lbs. (varies according to the lens used) It will look like the football bounces on the ground before crossing the net...

Actually, I will try and post a video. It may not be until Jan b/c I most likely won't have time to play tennis until then. I usually don't make claims I can't back up. (e.g. me holding 7 tennis balls in one hand)

 

[Deleted member 23235]

Okay, but when you see the video, please add 30 yards to my throw because my throw will look a lot shorter on video. Sort of like how the camera adds 10-15 lbs. (varies according to the lens used) It will look like the football bounces on the ground before crossing the net...

Actually, I will try and post a video. It may not be until Jan b/c I most likely won't have time to play tennis until then. I usually don't make claims I can't back up. (e.g. me holding 7 tennis balls in one hand)

lol, if you throw on a tennis court,... i think we can determine distance, unless you live on the isle of Lilliput.
Also did you specify if you need to use a regulation football? a junior pigskin seems like cheating.

 

[onehandbh]

lol, if you throw on a tennis court,... i think we can determine distance, unless you live on the isle of Lilliput.

The longer the throw, the farther the camera needs to be. For my 85 yard throw, I will place the camera on a tripod 1 km away...

For my 7 yard throw, I will have the camera on the court.

 

[GuyClinch]

What if you can throw it over the back fence on a diagonal.. how do we estimate how far it goes..this is just impractical.. YOu would need a camera man to show the person throwing it and the ball - and some yard markers..

 

[Deleted member 23235]

lol, I suppose the logical thing to do for you football throwing over achievers (i.e. who can throw further than a bank of 4 courts) is to find a football turf field with yard markers

length of a court is probably about my limit (with a regulation sized football)

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Not a valid test for some of us. There are some, like me, whose preferred throwing arm and serving arm are not the same. I serve quite a bit better lefty than righty. However, my natural throwing arm is my right. Ball throwing with my left arm is doable but rather pathetic compared to my right. However. I can throw a racket halfway decently with my left arm.but still not quite as good as with my right.

 

[onehandbh]

Not a valid test for some of us. There are some, like me, whose preferred throwing arm and serving arm are not the same. I serve quite a bit better lefty than righty. However, my natural throwing arm is my right. Ball throwing with my left arm is doable but rather pathetic compared to my right. However. I can throw a racket halfway decently with my left arm.but still not quite as good as with my right.

Interesting. Are you ambidextrous? Righty? Lefty?

Do you serve lefty and play righty?

I'll try a lefty football throw, but it might land a 2 feet in front of me...

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Interesting. Are you ambidextrous? Righty? Lefty?

Do you serve lefty and play righty?

I'll try a lefty football throw, but it might land a 2 feet in front of me...

Except for ball throwing and dealing cards and a few other activities, I am predominantly a lefty. Bat and golf better on the right side. But then these actions are somewhat related to a lefty tennis backhand. It's been a lot of years but I think that I bowl a bit better as a righty than lefty. I play most other sports more naturally as a lefty.

Not quite ambidextrous for most activities. I consider myself more bi-lateral. I have taught myself to use my non-preferred arm for quite a few things -- eating, table tennis, and volleyball. Have gotten decent at those but my left side is still preferred. Do ok (low intermediate) with righty badminton and some tennis strokes. I've learned to hit a righty serve, overhead and a rightly forehand in tennis, but have never felt comfortable hitting a BH (either the 1-handed or 2-handed variety). My lefty serve, overheand, groundstrokes and volleys are all better than their right-handed counterparts.

 

[onehandbh]

Except for ball throwing and dealing cards and a few other activities, I am predominantly a lefty. Bat and golf better on the right side. But then these actions are somewhat related to a lefty tennis backhand. It's been a lot of years but I think that I bowl a bit better as a righty than lefty. I play most other sports more naturally as a lefty.

Not quite ambidextrous for most activities. I consider myself more bi-lateral. I have taught myself to use my non-preferred arm for quite a few things -- eating, table tennis, and volleyball. Have gotten decent at those but my left side is still preferred. Do ok (low intermediate) with righty badminton and some tennis strokes. I've learned to hit a righty serve, overhead and a rightly forehand in tennis, but have never felt comfortable hitting a BH (either the 1-handed or 2-handed variety). My lefty serve, overheand, groundstrokes and volleys are all better than their right-handed counterparts.

I tried hitting one overhead lefty during a warmup last week and it went in but not very hard.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

I tried hitting one overhead lefty during a warmup last week and it went in but not very hard.

I was able to pick up a righty serve and overhead more easily than many lefties probably because I naturally throw right-handed. OTOH, I have come across a number of other lefties who also naturally throw right-handed. Those who throw lefty but play/serve righty seems to be more unusual in my experience.

 

[dgold44]

I would guess 20 to 25 yards

Not very Impressive yet I serve 185 mph regularly lol

 

[Kalin]

How far can you throw a football?

Record a video of your throw.

The tennis service motion has often been compared to a football throw.
There are even some juniors and pros who use a football as part of their training or warmup.
For reference:

• 6 yards - baseline to service line
  
• 13 yards - baseline to the net
• 20 yards - baseline to opposite service line
• 26 yards - baseline to opposite baseline
• 28.6 yards - diagonally from one corner of doubles alley to the other.
• distances to back fence vary.

I haven't thrown a football in 10+ years, but I just attempted it for the first time on a tennis court a couple days ago. I was only able to throw it 37 yards with a terrible wobbly spiral. Used to throw 50+.

This poll is flawed, insulting and downright disrespectful to the members of TTW

The options should be:

1. 120+ yards
2. 200+ yards
3. 300+ yards
4. I threw one last week and it hasn't landed yet
5. to Australia
6. My name is LeeD

Anything else is selling all of us short. Really short.

Please also specify if we are talking a real football (i.e. a round one) or the American K-mart version that quickly goes out of shape and turns oval-ish and also loses air quickly especially around New England.

 

[Curiosity]

Not throwing a football at all will allow me to enjoy this blissful perception, that the older I get the better I was.

 

[SeeItHitIt]

A friend of mine tells a story of him playing golf with a potential client (insurance sales), where the client was quite a bit older at the time and in the construction biz. According to my buddy who swears it's true, the guy would tell a one-up story for everything said in the group over the day. Saw a guy hit a 335yd 3 wood out of wet rough? Mr. Construction said that's nothing...I once saw a guy do XYZ. Always the clown and a few beers into the 19th hole, a one-up was answered by my friend as 'that's interesting, but I once knew a girl who knew a guy, who lived across the street from a girl, that hasn't taken a dump since the 2nd week of January!' He never did sell liability insurance to that guy....

In that vein, I can flat-footed flick 60yd spirals - into the wind, of course. My tennis? Not so much.

 

[onehandbh]

Can someone from the San Pablo/SF crew bring a football to the San Pablo courts when LeeD returns and record him throwing it?

Maybe start him off with a baseline to baseline throw to warmup before moving him back to the rear fence. Most public tennis courts don't have massively large areas behind the baseline. If he can throw 45 yards like he claims then he can probably throw it from the rear back fence and hit the opposite fense across the tennis court.

 

[DNShade]

 

[NLBwell]

How far a tennis ball (or baseball, or ping-pong ball, or leaf) will travel under given circumstances is determined by the drag through the air. It is a function of the ballistic coefficient of the body:

The ballistic coefficient is the mass (or weight) divided by the (Coefficient of Drag * the Area)
So a bullet which is heavy, has a small area, and is shaped for little drag (is very aerodynamic) will slow down much less due to drag than a leaf with very little mass, a draggy shape, and a large area.
Even though a baseball is about the same size and shape as a tennis ball, the tennis ball is much lighter (most of the reason) and the fuzz causes drag, so the baseball will travel much further.

 

[LeeD]

Been away for a month.
I"m going to buy a football, regulation NFL of course, and toss a few.
Pretty sure I can throw from the baseline (release point), with a 3 step approach, over a 10' high fence located 21' behind the other baseline to land around the service line on the adjoining court, but might need some warmup, maybe a couple of tosses first, since my shoulder's are wrecked now at age 66 and 11 months. I"ve been claiming 45 yards for a couple years now. Remember my age, and also the fact that for over 10 year's, I haven't been able to brush my teeth or shave with one hand, needing elbow support from the other hand. Also, my left or drive leg is screwed, but getting better the past year, and can almost jog now.
It's asinine to claim any throw from the starting point! Only the release point counts.