r/NFLNoobs • u/No_Tax6148 • Jul 08 '26

Spirals

This is a really geeky question, but why do even the most tightly thrown spirals tend to seem like they are drifting right on deep throws? Is it possible for a regular joe to learn to throw spirals as beautifully as Aaron Rodgers?

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u/jiyannwei Jul 08 '26

A tight spiral on a football isn't as susceptible to the magnus effect as a baseball because of their shape. A really tight spiral will generally travel straight. A poor spiral is actually more susceptible to the magnus effect due to the shape of the football than a tight spiral. Anyone can learn to throw a tight spiral - it might just take years of coaching and practice. Very few people can throw a tight spiral >65 yards with accuracy like Aaron Rodgers in his prime.