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Quarterback Towel Drill for a High Release Point

Updated · Fact checked

Without a ball, there is nothing to aim, so you can focus entirely on the motion: the hips start the throw, the chest follows and the arm finishes over the top. Hold a towel like a football, throw, and snap it at the top of the release.

It works anywhere, including at home and on days the arm needs rest from a full throwing load.

How to Coach Quarterbacks: Using a Towel to Teach Throwing Mechanics – Drill 1 Hips Throw DrillBill Renner

How to do it

  1. Grip

    Fold a hand towel and hold one end like the ball, in a normal throwing stance.

  2. Throw

    Go through the full motion: hips, chest, then arm, with the elbow at shoulder height.

  3. Snap at the top

    Snap the towel at the high point of the release, into a pad or a partner's hand if you have one.

Sets and reps
3 sets of 5 reps each side, 30 seconds rest.
Equipment
A small hand towel, A partner or pad to mark the release point (optional)
Muscles and skills
Shoulders
Used in these 440 plans
Quarterback

Coaching cues and common mistakes

Coaching cues

  • Hold a towel like a ball
  • High release point, elbow at shoulder height
  • Snap the towel at the top

Common mistakes

  • Low, side-arm release
  • Pushing the ball

How to tell a good rep

A good rep starts with the hips and snaps high, with the elbow at about shoulder height at release. A partner can hold a pad or a hand at the release point so you snap the towel into it.

If the towel whips around the side of your head, your elbow dropped. If it barely snaps, you pushed it instead of throwing it.

Pair it with

Start the sequence on a knee with knee throws, then add the towel, then throw off a real drop with the drop back drill. The full plan is on the quarterback training page.

FAQ

What is the towel drill for quarterbacks?

You hold a small towel like a football and go through a full throwing motion, snapping the towel at the top. It lets you rehearse the mechanics, starting with the hips, without a ball, and 440 uses it to groove a high, over the top release.

More quarterback drills

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Sources

  1. How to Coach Quarterbacks: Using a Towel to Teach Throwing Mechanics – Drill 1 Hips Throw Drill (YouTube description, uploaded 2022-05-14), Bill Renner (YouTube)
  2. Offseason QB workouts: Over the Goal Post Drill develops proper arm angle and throws (Terry Shea, 2/15/2016), USA Football

Program numbers (benchmarks, sets, reps, loads, protein targets) are 440 Football's own prescriptions. For athletes 13 and older; check with a physician or a registered dietitian before major training or diet changes.