Why does my arm hurt so much after throwing a football?
James Craig
Published Jan 20, 2026
Repetitive throwing can inflame and irritate the upper biceps tendon. This is called biceps tendinitis. Pain in the front of the shoulder and weakness are common symptoms of biceps tendinitis. Occasionally, the damage to the tendon caused by tendinitis can result in a tear.
Why does my arm hurt after throwing hard?
The type of soreness that occurs after throwing is generally caused by over stressing the rotator cuff muscles. Pitching is usually the position that produces a large degree of stress, secondary to the number of throws and the intensity level of each throw.
What to do if arm hurts after throwing?
Treatment & Care
- Rest from pitching or throwing for about 6 weeks.
- Ice the elbow or shoulder 3-4 times a day for 15-20 minutes at a time. ...
- Take anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen, as directed.
- Learn or practice throwing techniques that are less likely to cause injury.
Why does my forearm hurt after throwing a football?
Flexor Tendinitis
Repetitive throwing can irritate and inflame the flexor/pronator tendons where they attach to the humerus bone on the inner side of the elbow. Athletes will have pain on the inside of the elbow when throwing, and if the tendinitis is severe, they will also experience pain during rest.
How do you not hurt your arm when throwing a football?
Trigger the arm circle by bringing the ball from the carriage to a loaded position. Ideally, the quarterback should push the ball up and back away from the chest – never bringing the ball down below the chest and looping around. This will shorten arm action and quicken release time.
42 related questions foundHow often should QBS throw?
Most international quarterbacks throw at most three times(3x) a week, whereas Quarterbacks in America throw 3x to 5x times a week. These little extra work counts and compounds with time and makes a significant difference in the long run.
Do quarterbacks need big shoulders?
Quarterbacks need to take care of their primary athletic weapon—their throwing shoulder. A strong shoulder can produce powerful and accurate passes, while reducing the risk of an injury from a hard sack.
How do you throw a football farther?
To do this, you'll want to elevate at the shoulders, and then aim the football at a higher angle. Increasing the release angle to around 45 degrees will allow you to get more distance behind your throws. A sharp angle like that will be necessary if you want to throw farther distances such as more than 40 yards.
Should I ice or heat my arm after throwing?
What's Better Than Ice Post Throwing? Heat and muscle contraction is a better alternative to ice because it creates dilation of the blood vessels. This helps promote blood blow into the muscle and takes fluid out of the muscle tissue through another set of vessels called lacteals.
How do I know if I tore my rotator cuff?
Signs of a rotator cuff tear include:
- Difficulty and pain caused by raising your arm.
- Popping or clicking sounds or sensations when moving your arm.
- Shoulder pain that worsens at night or when resting your arm.
- Shoulder weakness and struggling to lift items.
Is arm soreness normal after pitching?
For baseball pitchers, a little bit of elbow soreness is normal—after all, there's no crying in baseball. But for pitchers experiencing frequent moderate pain after six innings, it may be time to see a professional.
How do you treat Thrower elbow?
The first treatment of most elbow pain from throwing is rest, to allow the elbow to recover from inflammation and injury. Conservative treatment options that your doctor might also recommend include ice, to help reduce the swelling, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
How do I keep my throwing arms healthy?
You must activate your shoulder muscles 24 hours after a game or throwing session to increase blood flow to damaged tissue and expedite the rebuilding process. Achieve this by performing rotator cuff and scapular stabilizing exercises.
How long does a rotator cuff take to heal?
Rotator cuff treatment
The minimum time for recovery from rotator cuff tendonitis or a small tear is generally two to four weeks, and stubborn cases can take several months. Early on, the aim is to reduce swelling and inflammation of the tendons and relieve compression in the subacromial space.
How far can QBs throw?
Anything in that range, 75-83, is where I could throw in a throw-off." Allen has previously said he can throw around 75-80 yards during a game. It goes without saying that 80+ yards is wildly impressive, and if it's any consolation to either of these quarterbacks, they could both beat me in a passing competition.
What muscles help you throw a football farther?
The core muscles of the abdominals and obliques are involved in the balance and weight transfer of the throwing motion. The large muscles of the legs and lower body, such as the calves, quadriceps, hamstrings and glutes, all help to drive and provide power as you step into the throw.
Can quarterbacks improve arm strength?
“The rotator cuff and the four-muscle group of that area of the shoulder are key. There's a lot of undeveloped areas in the shoulder that can help quarterbacks improve arm strength.” Add some of these moves to your routine, and you'll notice improvement in throwing distance, arm strength, and accuracy.
Who invented football?
The game has ancient origins, but in the late 19th century, Walter Camp helped shape football—the American kind—into the sport we know today. The game has ancient origins, but in the late 19th century, Walter Camp helped shape football—the American kind—into the sport we know today.
How many fingers should be on the laces of a football?
To execute a proper grip, place your hand on the top half of the football with two fingers on the laces: your pinky finger and ring finger. These can move slightly up and down and side to side until comfortable. Your middle and index fingers should just be on the seam of the football.
How do you throw a football like a pro?
Football Stance Principles
- Establish Your Base. Set your feet apart comfortable, one inch wider than your shoulders and hips. ...
- Loosen Your Knees. Don't lock your knees. ...
- Concentrate Your Weight. ...
- Use Your Hips. ...
- Keep the Ball at Ninety Degrees.
Who is the shortest QB in NFL history?
The shortest QB in NFL history title belongs to Eddie LeBaron. Measuring at 5-foot-7, “The Little General” is believed to be the shortest quarterback to have ever started in the NFL.
Are taller quarterbacks better?
Tall quarterbacks are generally the same height, or taller than, most of their linemen, so they have a cleaner line of sight and better passing lanes. Also, taller guys can make throws shorter guys simply can't. In terms of arm strength and trajectory.
Who is the tallest NFL player?
1. Richard Sligh
- Late Richard Sligh is no doubt the tallest player in NFL history. ...
- Standing at 7 ft and 2 inches, Richard Sligh played defensive tackle for his team Oakland Riders. ...
- Standing at 6 ft and 10 inches, Stroud is the second tallest NFL player in the history.
