“Spiking the ball and doing a backflip”

RICHARD: So how are we doing?

RORY: Paris is practically spiking the football then doing a backflip.

Another sporting metaphor. In American football, it is common to perform a celebration after making a touchdown, such as “spiking the ball” – throwing the ball at the ground. The manoeuvre is credited to Homer Jones of the New York Giants in 1965.

Doing a backflip as a celebration after a touchdown is another possibility. The NFL has at various times been strict and then more relaxed about these celebrations.