PASSING MECHANICS > SIDE BEND

SIDE BEND

A side bend occurs when a quarterback leans excessively toward the non-throwing side of the body as they come to and pass through the release point.  It's important to note that a slight lean to the non-throwing side is normal in many situations.  A true side bend is when the midline of the head moves outside the front foot as viewed from directly in front or behind the quarterback.

Why does it matter?

The main issue with side bending when throwing is the effect it has on accuracy.   When the shoulders lean excessively to the side, they pull the head out of position.  When the head is moving laterally accuracy can be impacted.  Imagine trying to throw a dart at a dartboard while moving your head to one side.  This makes it more difficult to keep the eyes fixed on the target.    

Causes

There are two main causes associated with a side bend.  The first is a lack of stability in the front side hip, which can lead to a collapsing through that hip and everything above it, resulting in a side bend of the shoulders.  The second cause is an upper body dominant throwing motion, or a lack of rotation of the pelvis to initiate the throwing motion.  When the pelvis doesn't contribute properly to generating speed, the torso and arm have to produce extra force to generate speed on the football.  This extra and excessive effort in the upper body can cause a side bend.  

Corrective Exercises & Drills

If you have determined you have a Side Bend, use the following exercises to correct for physical limitations or drills to correct for technical issues.