Abstract: Apparatus for launching a football on a predetermined trajectory comprises a receptacle for holding a football in an axial alignment such that each end of the football is substantially aligned on an initial arc of a predetermined trajectory. The receptacle is coupled to a piston of a pneumatic cylinder for rapidly accelerating the receptacle along the predetermined trajectory for a preselected relatively small distance from a loading point to a release point. A threaded shaft is positioned between the piston and receptacle and driven through a nut for effecting a relatively rapid spin of the receptacle about an axis coincidental with the initial arc of the trajectory during acceleration over the relatively small distance. The football is released from the receptacle at the release point by suddenly stopping movement of the receptacle.