Abstract: A football launcher and the method of using same, such that a player can practice receiving a hiked football without the need of another player being present. The football launcher has two triangular base members that support a mounting shaft between them. A pivot arm is rotatably mounted on the mounting shaft by means of an annular sleeve affixed to a point off center on the underside of the pivot arm. There is a fixed collar on each side of the sleeve to maintain the sleeve and therewith the pivot arm in a centered position on the mounting shaft. A football cradle is attached to the long end of the pivot arm and a step plate is attached to the short end. The football cradle is shaped to hold the football and release it in a straight line when the football launcher is activated. Activation is accomplished when the user steps on the step plate causing the football to be propelled in a low arc straight toward the user.