JT and his throwing style...

forensicbuzz

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I have a question for anyone in the know. This might be some of the film guys on the forum or maybe someone associated with the team.

Is this common for JT?

georgia_tech_at_georgia_0097.jpg


If so, it doesn't surprise me that he has a hard time holding onto the ball sometimes when double clutching...(or at least once)

This bothers me just looking at it.
 

thwgjacket

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I have a question for anyone in the know. This might be some of the film guys on the forum or maybe someone associated with the team.

Is this common for JT?

georgia_tech_at_georgia_0097.jpg


If so, it doesn't surprise me that he has a hard time holding onto the ball sometimes when double clutching...(or at least once)

This bothers me just looking at it.
I'm confused at what your asking. Shoulders pointed at his target, front hips a little open but that may be because he's rushing the throw, notice the UGA linebacker. You want to throw it with a C not a U but he may just rotate his wrist like that. If you're talking about throwing off the laces, plenty of guys do that. He could also be a little more downhill with his shoulders but he may be throwing a deep pass. It's out of context for me.
 

ilovetheoption

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I'm confused at what your asking. Shoulders pointed at his target, front hips a little open but that may be because he's rushing the throw, notice the UGA linebacker. You want to throw it with a C not a U but he may just rotate his wrist like that. If you're talking about throwing off the laces, plenty of guys do that. He could also be a little more downhill with his shoulders but he may be throwing a deep pass. It's out of context for me.
He slings it a little bit sometimes, gets under the ball. I think that has to do with the C/U think you're talking about. I think he's accurate enough, but I think the fact that he's got kind of a baseball infielder delivery means he'll never be pinpoint accurate, and will sail throws from time to time.
 

Skeptic

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I'm confused at what your asking. Shoulders pointed at his target, front hips a little open but that may be because he's rushing the throw, notice the UGA linebacker. You want to throw it with a C not a U but he may just rotate his wrist like that. If you're talking about throwing off the laces, plenty of guys do that. He could also be a little more downhill with his shoulders but he may be throwing a deep pass. It's out of context for me.
Doggoned to Pete if I understand how a QB can throw without using the laces, but yep, some do. I remember reading a piece about Zeke Bratkowski -- yeah, I know, a Dog -- who was an outstanding passer in the '50s and he threw it with the nose of the football out of the palm of his hand. For sure Thomas's form, a real gunslinger's, quick draw type, is not Joe Namath's but he is a very good passer. When's the last time a Tech QB took the team 97 yards throwing the ball?
 

forensicbuzz

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My observation was "off the laces." I've never heard or seen that before. I don't have large hands either, and if I can't grasp the laces, I can't hold the ball well. I find it amazing that someone (espcially without big ole woppers of mitts) can hold onto the ball, let along get enough to throw a good ball. That's why I asked the rest of you, cause it's something new to me.

georgia_tech_at_georgia_0650.jpg



...but he doesn't do it all the time. Does it just not matter? Anyone?
 

Skeptic

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My observation was "off the laces." I've never heard or seen that before. I don't have large hands either, and if I can't grasp the laces, I can't hold the ball well. I find it amazing that someone (espcially without big ole woppers of mitts) can hold onto the ball, let along get enough to throw a good ball. That's why I asked the rest of you, cause it's something new to me.

georgia_tech_at_georgia_0650.jpg



...but he doesn't do it all the time. Does it just not matter? Anyone?
Well, based only on the two pictures you have -- good catch, by the way -- maybe Thomas is one of those guys who grabs the football however he happens to get it in the exchange. Another quarterback used to do that and doggoned if I can remember who. Interesting, though.
 

Skeptic

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God what a Glorious day that was!
watched the second half and OT again three or four days ago. It is made even better to hear the Georgia broadcast team choking and gurgling their way from exhilaration -- anointing Mitchell as a Georgia hero for the ages -- to excruciating pain acknowledging, grudgingly, the interception, and then the hilarious yoyo whining about a play that had no part in the outcome, and the "good spot" given Tech "by the ACC officials." I plan to keep it forever.
 

Adadu

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On quick passing routes, the QB is coached to get the ball out of his hand as fast as possible rather than focusing on gripping the laces. Other than that JT seems to usually grab the laces.
 

Ibeeballin

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I have a question for anyone in the know. This might be some of the film guys on the forum or maybe someone associated with the team.

Is this common for JT?

georgia_tech_at_georgia_0097.jpg


If so, it doesn't surprise me that he has a hard time holding onto the ball sometimes when double clutching...(or at least once)

This bothers me just looking at it.

The play has a lot to do with also. I know on smoke screen, fade, quick hitting hitch or back shoulder fade a good bit of QBs are just worried about getting the ball out fast
 

tech_wreck47

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The play has a lot to do with also. I know on smoke screen, fade, quick hitting hitch or back shoulder fade a good bit of QBs are just worried about getting the ball out fast
Yes, but I played qb in high school and when the ball is snapped you should be able to get a clean exchange with your hand on the laces, but if he takes his snaps with his thumbs together instead of one hand above the other he wouldn't get the seams well everytime. With him having smaller hands though and it being safer he more than likely takes snaps one hand above the other. I'm am confused why he would do it both ways sometimes though if he was getting the laces, so what you says makes sense as well.
 
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thwgjacket

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My observation was "off the laces." I've never heard or seen that before. I don't have large hands either, and if I can't grasp the laces, I can't hold the ball well. I find it amazing that someone (espcially without big ole woppers of mitts) can hold onto the ball, let along get enough to throw a good ball. That's why I asked the rest of you, cause it's something new to me.

georgia_tech_at_georgia_0650.jpg



...but he doesn't do it all the time. Does it just not matter? Anyone?
Coming up I had different coaches advocate both ways. Gus Malzahn is big on throwing without the laces. Start reading at the 6th paragraph.

http://www.secrant.com/rant/sec-football/cam-gonna-be-the-man-whod-a-thunk/18751359/
 

DrJacket

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It might be an angle thing. Just the way it looks vs. reality. But, in that first photo even more so than the laces--it looks to me like he's holding the ball closer to the middle vs. the tip than I'd like. With smaller hands especially, I would think your sweet-spot where you can hold and get it out accurately (or with a tighter spiral) is a pretty small window.

As I say, the reality on even that one throw might have been different than the photo makes it look.

But, on the whole I've got no qualms with JT's passing. If he makes even slight, expected improvement in his passing then that aspect of our game is in good (even if small) hands.
 

Skeptic

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On quick passing routes, the QB is coached to get the ball out of his hand as fast as possible rather than focusing on gripping the laces. Other than that JT seems to usually grab the laces.
Even on a quick 2-step drop a QB can rotate the ball for the laces. I'm not sure this sounds right to me.
 

ilovetheoption

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Even on a quick 2-step drop a QB can rotate the ball for the laces. I'm not sure this sounds right to me.
TBH, it shouldn't be necessary. The center aligns the ball a certain way when he snaps. If the QB cares, it can go into his hands the exact same way every time. If he wants the laces on his throwing hand, he can get it snapped that way. (from under center, of course)
 

IronJacket7

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This bothers me just looking at it.

Off the laces. I saw it. I'm thinking it was more or a isolated incident. Sometimes the play moves so fast that you may be focused more on the receivers and their routes as opposed to hand placement on the ball. However, I concur this would cause most players the inability to throw a perfectly tight spiral.
 
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