Caught a quick segment on CBS news this morning featuring a pitcher who can make just about any throw from either arm. Reminded me of George Malauulu who was the qb back in the late 80s for Carson High School in California, ranked #1 in the country, until they lost to Grenada Hills (John Elway's alma mater) in the (CIF or city? can't remember) championship game. Some of you may remember that former BYU qb John Walsh transferred to Carson High from Torrance because of their powerhouse status.

At any rate, I remember watching Malauulu as a kid and also hearing commentary about how no one had seen a qb like him before. He would roll out right and throw with his right arm. The next play he would roll out left and throw with his left arm. He was accurate/effective with both arms. The story goes something like early in his high school career he broke his right hand (or arm) and so he learned to throw with his left and became quite good at it. As soon as his right arm healed, he found himself possessing a unique trait of being able to throw with both arms.

Never understood completely why his career didn't take off. Was a starter at the University of Arizona but didn't really excel. He played while I was on my mission so I don't know if he threw with both arms while in college.

In the ongoing evolution of the qb position, these days it's not enough that a qb can lead, read defenses, make quick decisions, possess a strong/accurate arm; he now has to be able to be a threat with his legs as well (ala Hill, Murrietta, etc). Got me thinking what the next step in the evolution will be. I'm guessing having a qb who can throw with both arms, thereby never having to throw across his body, will be one of the next steps. So, even though it didn't work out well for Malauulu (I think he lacked some of the other characteristics to really be successful) my advice to fathers with young sons aspiring to be signal callers, maybe it would be worth the time and effort to have your young sons practice throwing with both arms. It just might set them apart in the future and be part of the characteristics of the ultimate qb.