title: Spiral (football)
text: # Spiral (football)
  
  In American football, a spiral is the continuous in-flight rotation around the longitudinal axis of a football following its release from the hand of a passer or foot of a punter.
  
  ## History
  
  Pop Warner is credited for teaching his players both the spiral punt and the spiral pass.
  
  ### Pass
  
  The development of the forward pass is traced to Eddie Cochems and Bradbury Robinson at St. Louis. Howard R. Reiter also claimed to develop the overhand forward pass.
  
  ### Punt
  
  Alex Moffat invented the spiral punt, described by one writer as "a dramatic change from the traditional end-over-end kicks." He also invented the drop kick.
  
  