2009qbmanual

The

Quarterback’s

Manual

2009

The Quarterback

Quarterback is the most mentally challenging position on the football field; it also requires the most diversified array of skills when compared to any other position in football. Playing quarterback is easily the most demanding of all the sports today.

There is so much that goes into playing quarterback well that an athlete must do most of the training on his own time; studying film, learning from quarterbacks that have already mastered certain

mechanics and many, many hours throwing passes on your own. I have never met a successful quarterback that only worked on football during his team’s organized practice sessions. If as a quarterback you are not willing to spend a lot of quality time learning the position and all its nuances, your success will be streaky at best.

The QB needs to be well versed in every aspect of the running game, the screen game, the quick-passing game, 5 & 7-step passing, and movement passes to mention only a few. Today’s quarterback needs special attention if he is ever going to be able to play to his potential. It would be impossible for a high school coach to teach his quarterback most everything he needs to know and still have time to instruct all the other players on the team; there just isn’t enough time. Today, a quarterback needs to have a very good personal quarterback coach to help him attain all the skills necessary to play effectively in a competitive game. There are some out there, but you have to do research to make sure you are getting the best instructor. If you are paying money to be put in a group and compete instead of having

someone breakdown your mechanics, you are wasting your time unless you are being seen by people who can help you earn a scholarship. In order to get better you need someone who can look at your

mechanics and help you correct them. If your throwing motion is hurting you, you need to change it. You will hear some coaches tell you to never mess with your throwing motion, but if you are having accuracy and velocity problems what else can you do? It’s takes a great deal of mental and physical work to change body mechanics but it can be done and it will pay great dividends down the road. If what you are doing isn’t bringing you the success you know you should be having, CHANGE IT!

There are also many different types of offense; West Coast, Spread, Spread-option, Wing-T, Veer, and Shot-gun, just to name a few. A player that has played in a shot-gun type offense many times can’t even take a 5-step drop in a more traditional offense because he has never been taught the mechanics of dropping back the correct manner. If you have to teach yourself how to drop back smoothly and stay balanced, it could take you until your junior or senior year in college. Here is a little test you can give yourself; have you ever used a 7-step drop in your passing game? If the answer is no you are way behind as far as mechanics are concerned. Watch any NFL or division I football game. You will see everyone (who takes snaps from under center) using the 7-step drop. It’s primarily used for routes that break deeper than 12-yards downfield so the QB doesn’t have to sit at 5-steps and wait for his receiver to break open. It’s used for timing and you will not get deeper than 8-yards with this drop.

This manual can help you a great deal because it will show you much of what you need to know – the rest can be filled in as you progress in your football career. However, the manual has got everything from mentally preparation, to mechanics, to reading and understanding defenses. It also has

information on how quarterbacks are recruited. This is a list of some areas we will cover in this manual: ! Mental Process Section

! Mechanics Section

! Different Drops Sections (Very important for timing) ! Defensive Analysis Section

! Leverage Reads (Match-ups) Section ! Basic Key Reads (Zone) Section ! Progression Reads Section ! Different Throws Sections ! Play-action Mechanics ! Roll-out Mechanics

I have also learned that many of today’s elite major college football programs believe that a

quarterback needs to have a private quarterback coach helping them with their mechanics during the off-season. This is because at the Division One level, coaching staffs can only spend 20-hours a week working with their athletes. Since most offenses today are complex, and the defenses are more complicated, there really isn’t enough time in the work day for a college Quarterback Coach to take the athlete through all the mechanics and techniques that are necessary to compete at a high level. Make phone calls to those schools and ask their quarterback coach if they can recommend someone to you. I once worked at a quarterback camp (not Top Gun) and I asked a very well-known Division One Offensive Coordinator (now in the NFL) how he would correct one of our camp’s quarterback’s flawed throwing motion. The coach told me “I wouldn’t recruit him!” What that means is that if a quarterback isn’t fundamentally sound when he is seeking a scholarship, he probably won’t get a scholarship to play quarterback. That makes sense when you consider coaches don’t have the time to teach you everything a personal coach can.

In my opinion, if you are serious about playing the position of quarterback at the high school level and hope to continue your career after high school, you need two things; First, you need a private

quarterback coach to teach you how to dropback and throw a football along with all the other things you are required to do like play-action passing or throwing screens or even handing the ball off to the running back. The second thing you need is an excellent sports psychologist. The way you prepare your mind becomes more important as you move up through the different levels in football. This area of discussion is also covered in this manual.

INTRODUCTION

The quarterback position is the cornerstone of any modern offense. There are not enough naturally gifted athletes around to supply enough quarterbacks to each football team to play the position effectively enough to win on a consistent basis. Therefore, coaching fundamentally sound mechanics (along with teaching the quarterback how to see and think on the field) to those who play the position of quarterback is essential to the increased success of any offense.

Although this book predominantly focuses on quarterbacks using the traditional “under-center dropback passing game” these same skills translate perfectly to the new “Spread Offense” passing game. Throwing the football is still all about footwork. Once someone has mastered the footwork taking drops from center, he will intuitively translate all he has learned to the Spread Offense. This book is about playing quarterback in any offense where passing is involved although there are specific sections devoted to Shotgun passing as well as Spread-Offense passing.

Brad Oates of ESPN writes, “The secret to (Mike) Holmgren's successful system for coaching quarterbacks is preparation. Nothing is left to chance. Mechanics such as footwork and throwing motion are heavily scrutinized on every play in practice and in games. The coaches demand precision at all times. Game preparation is exhaustive and the quarterbacks are heavily involved.”

In addition, (and I think this is extremely important) coaches can teach their quarterback to think about how they are thinking (metacognition). In other words, most quarterbacks need to be taught a strategy, or a process of thinking, that will greatly enhance their success on the football field. In my opinion employing a Sports Psychologist well versed in quarterback play, like USC’s Dr. Michael Voight, is a better investment than a private quarterback coach who teaches only mechanics. Quarterbacks need to learn how to think clearly on the field and still allow themselves to react to the defense within the framework of an attacking mentality. They need to teach themselves a thought process that will allow them to get the most out of their athletic ability. A great Sports Psychologist can be an asset in this regard.

As far as the mechanics on the field are concerned, the most basic, yet complex strategy a

quarterback can learn is the pre-snap read, in which the quarterback will eliminate some of his passing options (due to the defender’s leverage or the specific coverage) before the ball is snapped. This will help the quarterback make quick, decisive decisions, with greater success.

This book will give the reader a more thorough understanding of the techniques, mechanics, and thought processes required to play the position of quarterback at the high school or college level. This book was written for coaches, players, as well as for those parents who are interested in providing the athlete with the fundamental skills necessary to play the position of quarterback to the best of their individual abilities.

The purpose of this book is to provide most of the information necessary to teach the athlete how to play the position of quarterback efficiently and effectively. Every subject covered and every drill discussed is important in the development of the quarterback at every level of play. Hard work on the mechanics and techniques can measurably develop a quarterback’s consistency.

It is especially important that the quarterback utilize sound technique and mechanics in the passing phase of the offense. This is because poor technique causes injuries to quarterbacks consistently. Quarterbacks often experience problems with shoulders, elbows, arms and forearms most often because they are using poor mechanics when passing the football. One acute flaw will force the quarterback to counter balance the throwing motion with another flaw. For example, a quarterback cannot throw the ball using a sidearm motion without some kind of counter motion somewhere else in his mechanics.

Although teaching sound mechanics takes time and effort, it well worth it. When a quarterback uses good technique and mechanics, he can throw more passes and experience much less fatigue, thus greatly reducing his chance of injury. In addition, the quarterback will increase his accuracy. Accuracy in passing comes from balance; and the quarterback’s feet produce balance.

This book also presents a simple and descriptive way to teach and / or learn the skills that will enable an athlete to be as effective and efficient as possible, playing the position of quarterback. While I attempt to explain each particular technique, I will give specific drills that can be used to learn and refine the particular skill.

A few of the drills explained in this book are designed to “over-emphasize” a certain skill in order to re-train the quarterback’s muscle memory. An example might be “shoulder-spin” drills that will have the quarterback over-rotate his torso so that the back of his throwing shoulder ends up facing the target. Even though a quarterback would rarely, if ever follow-through to such an extent, this drill would

illustrate to the quarterback how it feels to follow-through in such a way that it would improve his mechanics from a technical standpoint, which would allow him to throw a better pass.

This book is broken down into chapters that will cover specific topics or skills. The reader can go through the book from start to finish learning what is necessary in playing the position well, or use the book as a reference guide to trouble-shoot areas of concern.

The bulk of the book will discuss the quarterback mechanics and techniques that are necessary from the moment he approaches the line of scrimmage to the end of the football play. I go through each technique in the order it usually comes up in any specific play.

As I discuss the various techniques and mechanics, I will usually provide a drill to teach the technique to the player. Hopefully, the written description, along with the picture and or diagram, will provide the clarity necessary to teach and learn the skill effectively.

It is my hope that this book will assist coaches and quarterbacks make their offenses more efficient and productive. I think the best way to teach these techniques and skills would be to utilize the four laws of learning; explanation (by the coach), demonstration (by the coach or by the use of film), imitation (by the player), and many, many repetitions by the player himself.

My suggestion is that as you learn these techniques and drills, you should start out slowly and build up the speed as you master the skills. Start off walking through the techniques, then work at half speed, then full speed. Once you have truly learned the techniques, you will be able to carry them out full speed during a game with no problem; they will become second nature to you.

The Thinking Process of the Quarterback

There are a lot of physically gifted athletes playing the position of quarterback. In the NFL or example, there was Ryan Leaf, Akili Smith, and even Alex Smith (currently) were all high first round draft picks that obviously had all the physical tools but somehow lacked the mental ability to allow them to flourish consistently when they got to the professional level. Then you have quarterbacks like Tom Brady

(drafted in the 6th round) or Kurt Warner (not drafted at all) who go on to MVP status in the NFL. The main difference between quarterbacks who make it in the NFL and those that don’t is what they do mentally during the game. To some degree this is genetic; there are “Brain-types” that do extremely well at the highest level of play. There are 16 different brain-types. Three of those 16 brain-types have the mental processes to play quarterback at the highest level, although there is one brain-type that considered the best. For example, Phillip Rivers is an ESTP; the same as Unitas, Namath, Montana, Elway, Marino and Peyton Manning. However at the high school and college levels, quarterbacks can compete at a relatively high level by making the best out of whatever brain-type they possess. The pioneer behind brain-typing is Jonathan Niednagel (JN)

Special Note: Go to www.BRAINTYPES.com to get much more detailed information regarding Brain-typing for athletic performance. You’ll read several articles on the science of brain-Brain-typing and how profession teams use that information.

I’m not going to go into a great deal of detail regarding the mental aspect of quarterback play, but there are some things that are needed at any level of play, but you do need to know about thought process and how that process needs to work on the practice field and in the heat of the battle because they are totally different thought processes.

When you are being taught a skill such as throwing a 12-yard speed-out for the first time, you need to be thinking in a manner that will allow you to control your gross motor skills. This is a difficult task for some of my quarterbacks. Many times, my first few practices will be devoted to learning how to control muscle movements so we can correct any mechanical problems that an athlete may have. You are

going to mentally force yourself to alter or change the way you move your feet or throw a football. There is a lot of conscious thinking going on at this time. To think in this manner during a game would be a disaster for the quarterback and his team.

During a game situation, the quarterback needs to think several different ways in a very short, defined period of time. For example, he has to get the play from the sideline. Then he has to repeat the play to the team, and break the huddle. This is all done somewhat consciously in that he is thinking about speaking and deciding the snap count and making sure his team is lined up properly. The QB also has to look at the defense and consciously decide what the progression of the read is or if he needs to change the run play. He needs to look for the blitz or the overload to one side of the center. All these things are happening in a very short period of time. Once the ball is snapped, the thought process has got to drastically change; he has to react more than consciously think about what is going on. He basically has to let his training and preparation take over and let his body and mind run on automatic pilot. A conscious thought at this time might throw all the timing off and ruin the play.

A quarterback will need to decide how to think even before he goes onto the field to practice. When a QB is learning a new technique or a new passing game read he needs to consciously think about what he is doing and he needs to be focused. When he is receiving and calling the play, he needs to consciously think about and make decisions. Once the ball is snapped, he has to let his unconscious mind take over and react to what is happening on the field; he needs to get into the zone.

The Mental Process of the Football Play

Step 1: Immediately after the previous play has ended, focus on assessing the situation objectively – what went right, what needs work. You will also focus on the specific situation; down and distance, time on the clock, field position and then quickly turn your attention to getting the next play from the

sideline

Step 2: Get the play from the sideline away from the huddle – the center is responsible huddle. Focus on the call itself, and how your offense will execute the play (pass, play-fake, run). Give the play to the offense speaking clearly and efficiently, along with the snap count and any specific instructions. Make eye-contact and speak with confidence. Get a good, sharp break.

Step 3: Get to the line of scrimmage quickly. You will now focus and give special attention to a narrow range of cues. For example, during a pass play, you will be assessing the defensive alignment in relation to your linemen and your receivers. You may evaluate the potential for a blitz or eliminate some of your receivers as throwing options based on the coverage and / or leverage of the defender(s). You will go through your Progression / Read in the play telling yourself something like: “Corner, Hitch, Middle.” You will also need to make sure your team mates are in their correct positions before the snap of the ball, or before you put someone in motion.

Step 4: The final and most important mental task you will perform in this sequence is to put your mind into automatic processing, and letting all of your practice, preparation, talent, and skill take over. This is what all the most successful quarterbacks can do on a regular basis, and what holds most

quarterbacks from playing to their potential. Thinking is replaced by automatically reacting to what you see and what the situation dictates – allowing you to be in the zone.

QUARTERBACK PERFORMANCE ENHANCING QUESTIONNAIRE

never always

1.) I _____worry about making mistakes 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 2.) I _____ have a very difficult time letting go of mistakes 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 (3.) I _____ bounce back quickly from setbacks 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 4.) I _____ dwell on mistakes & "carry them" with me to the next play 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 (5.) I _____ consider myself to be a confident player 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 6.) When I'm not playing well, I _____ get negative & get

down on myself 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

(7.) On the field I _____ project a confident image regardless of

score 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

8.) In critical times in games I _____ find myself thinking negatively 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 9.) I _____find myself getting too nervous/anxious for games 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 (10.) I _____ do my best when the pressure is on 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 11.) I _____find it difficult to get energized to play a lesser team 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 12.) I _____ have poor focus when I have to make a critical play 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 13.) I _____ get distracted during a game 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 14.) I_____ think too much while I play, instead of just playing 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 15.) Poor officiating (calls), rowdy spectators, or opponent's behaviors

_____ take me off my game 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 16.) I _____ get anxious (hope I don't choke) the crazier it gets in

competition (weather, score, opponent behavior) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

17.) I am _____ a "slow starter", meaning that it takes me a while to

get "into the rhythm" of the game 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 (18.) I _____ use a set pre-game routine to improve readiness 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 19.) My mind _____ wanders to end results & I have trouble focusing

on the process of playing well 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 20.) I _____ play better in practice than I do when it really counts 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 (21.) I _____train at a high level of intensity 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

please continue on the next page

Please respond to the following questions by filling in the appropriate word in the space via circling its corresponding number KEY:

Never: 0 Very Rarely: 1 Rarely: 2 Sometimes: 3 Often: 4 Very Often: 5

22.) I _____ find myself 'going through the motions' in practice 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 (23.) I _____ focus well in practice/games when I have problems in

my life outside of football 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 (24.) When I practice, I _____ have a specific purpose or goals

to accomplish 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

(25.) I _____ have a high energy walk off the field between plays

when I am not playing well 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 26.) Observers/fans/coaches can _____ tell from my body language

that I made a mistake or am playing poorly 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 27.) My coaches/teammates can _____ tell by my body language and

behaviors that I am frustrated & upset 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 28.) If I am having difficulty with my play, I take it out on my

teammates or coaches 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 _______________________________________________________________________

SCORING: to determine your mental skill strengths & weaknesses, add up the numbers in each section, then use the scoring ratings

method by section.

**There are 9 underlined/circled items that must be reversed scored (6=0; 5=1; 4=2; 3=3; 2=4; 1=5; 0=6) before tallying. These items = 3, 5, 7, 10, 18, 21, 23, 24, 25

! Section 1 = questions 1-4 deal w/ your ability to refocus upon adversity (mistakes, setbacks). ! Section 2 = questions 5-8 refer to your confidence level.

! Section 3 = questions 9-12 has to do w/ your ability to control your "intensity" (level of anxiety/muscle tension).

! Section 4 = questions 13-16 inquires about your ability to stay focused w/ distractions present. ! Section 5 = questions 17-20 deal w/ your ability to prepare physically/mentally for practice

and matches

! Section 6 = questions 21-24 refer to the quality of your training.

! Section 7 = questions 25-28 have to do w/ your physical presentation when faced w/ adversity.

Section 1=___; Section 2=___; Section 3=___; Section 4=___; Section 5=___; Section 6=___; Section 7=___.

Special Thanks to:

Mike Voight, Ph.D.

Sport Psychology Consultant, Lecturer University of Southern California, Private Practice

…who created this instrument

" If score 8 or fewer points, this area is a mental strength - keep working to maximize its efficiency

" If score between 9 - 12 points , you appear to have some difficulty w/ the particular mental skills;

Note: This is the Psychologist I would send my son to in order to better compete in any sport. I have seen him change a quarterback from an average player to a truly great player. Call Dr. Michael Voight, PhD at 860 832-2153

M

ECHANICS

OF

T

HE

D

ROPBACK

Introduction

One of the most basic teaching principles in the drop-back passing game is the creation of a rhythm between the quarterbacks’ drop and the receiver’s break. The quarterback needs to be able to get the ball in the air before the receiver breaks open – and not wait until the receiver is open. This ability will help the linemen execute their blocks, and will help put the ball into the receiver’s hands the instant he separates from the defender.

One of the cornerstones of efficient quarterback play is the ability to control your drop so that you reach the end of it just as the receiver is about to break open. Usually, this means that the

quarterback should employ a controlled drop and glide back rather than rush or hurry back in a violent manner.

When a quarterback sprints back too fast, he has to be just as violent in trying to stop himself. When this occurs, it’s very hard to be balanced and have his shoulders level for the throw, or have any rhythm with the receiver. When a quarterback glides back, creates a rhythm in his drop and in his throw, he is able to see things down field more clearly and throw the ball more effectively in an efficient, smooth manner. It is imperative that the quarterback be in a position to see the entire field during his drop.

Moreover, by throwing the football precisely at the end of the drop, the offensive line is better able to control the rush of the defenders. When quarterbacks hurry their drops, they end up having trouble with their mechanics because they are usually off-balance when the try to throw the pass. Many times when they do get to the end of their drops, they have to wait for the receivers to break open. Often

they will be just standing back there getting tense while the rushers now have an aiming point. Once the quarterback hits the end of the drop, the rushers can really push up field toward them.

When a quarterback glides back, hits the end of his drop, and releases the pass, the defenders eventually let up right away. In fact, later on in the game, you will notice that when this type of quarterback hits the end of his drop, the rushers usually let up, even when the quarterback is hitching up in the pocket to throw. The quarterback has trained the defense to realize that the ball is gone as soon as the he hits the last step in the drop. Creating this rhythm can really have an effect on the pass rush, and also increase the accuracy of the throw.

One of the other things this type of drop does is allow the quarterback to begin reading the coverage right away as he is dropping back to pass. Some quarterbacks don’t really begin to make their

decisions until they are at the end of the drop. Frequently, the quarterback will run out of time because he can’t take in all the information in a short period of time. By reading the defense as he is dropping back, the quarterback can now anticipate what the coverage is going to do. It’s much easier when the quarterback gets a good pre-snap read based on the leverage of defenders, and then read the defense during the drop, so he can anticipate when the receiver will break open. In order to accomplish all of this, the quarterback must have sound mechanics from the start.

BODY &FOOT-ACTION TERMS

Certain terms are normally used with respect to the body and foot action of the quarterback when he is passing the football. These terms are important in that they explain how the quarterback should position his feet and body when throwing a pass. The proper positioning of the quarterback’s feet and body are extremely critical if he wants to throw an accurate pass with good rotation and the proper velocity. These terms are as follows:

“Compact”: As in “staying compact.” This means the quarterback has a good bend at the knees in his drop, and as he his hitching up (if he has to) and passing the football. While in his drop, his shoulders should be slightly open to the line of scrimmage, which will allow him to see the entire field. His back should be fairly erect and he is “sitting down” more than he is leaning over at the waist. In addition, he will have his elbows in and close to the body but not touching. The top end of the ball should be just about level with the top of the sternum, and held closely to his chest. The ball should be carried smoothly, with very little motion away from the center of his body. He should keep his chin close to his forward (left) shoulder in order to read his backside.

Here are examples of a quarterback being “compact”

! Ball carriage is good.

! Elbows are in close to the body and relaxed.

! Knees are flexed.

! Feet are parallel to the LOS.

! The quarterback is ready to throw the football from a compact position.

! His front shoulder is pointed in the direction he wants the ball to go to.

! The ball is in a good “carriage” position.

! His elbows are in a comfortable, relaxed position, close to his body.

! His knees are slightly bent, allowing him better leverage as he steps into the throw.

! His feet aren’t too far apart, allowing him to step into the throw, and get good velocity and greater control on the football.

Three/five/seven “quick”: “Quick” refers to the length of the quarterback’s strides when dropping back to throw a pass. The quarterback should shorten his strides slightly and move his feet a little quicker in order to get the route to time out properly. When the quarterback uses these “quick” drops, he needs to realize timing is more important than depth.

Three/five/seven “big”: “Big” tells the quarterback to lengthen his strides slightly when dropping back to throw a pass. The quarterback should not turn his shoulders away from the backside when lengthening his strides. He will slightly slow down the movement of his feet when he lengthens is strides which will allow him to throw the pass on time.

“Firm”: Firm tells the quarterback that he will NOT be using a hitch-step. This means his last crossover step needs to be shortened so that his feet are not too far apart, allowing him to throw the football balanced, with velocity.

“Hold”: “Hold” tells the quarterback to hold the ball a fraction of a second when he hits the end of his drop. This action is designed to allow the receiver to finish his route and enable the quarterback to deliver the ball on time.

“Hitch”: “Hitch” involves the action that occurs when the quarterback resets his back foot to throw. He should always hitch with his back foot to prevent over-striding.

“Hitching-up”: “Hitching-up” refers to when the quarterback resets his back foot and then hitches forward in six-inch increments to allow the routes to develop, or to go through his check downs.

“Roll-step”: A “roll-step” occurs when the quarterback positions his plant-foot perpendicular to the target area, then steps toward the target with his lead step. He does this to get his hips open to the target area and to get the ball to “tail-off” in the same direction as the receiver is headed.

Here are two examples of roll-steps. The picture on top left shows the quarterback preparing to throw to an outside receiver on his backside, to the left. The picture on the bottom shows him throwing to his front-side. From this position, he will now pick up his front foot (target-step) and step towards the point where the ball and receiver will meet.

This is a good example of a roll-step to the left side in order to throw an out route to the outside receiver

This is a good example of a roll-step to the right side in order to throw an out route to the outside receiver

The Quarterback Stance

The quarterbacks’ stance is a critical element in playing the position. As such, it is important that the quarterback develop a comfortable and efficient stance in order to be able to execute all the movement necessary to do his job in an effective manner once the ball is snapped.

The proper stance allows the quarterback to move in any direction necessary due to the different types of action in any offense. For example, the footwork on an outside stretch play is very different from the footwork on a dive play or dropback pass. Moreover, the quarterback has to be able to mesh with the running back at several different places in the backfield, which include points to the left and right of the quarterback.

Upon exiting the huddle, the QB should get under center as quickly as possible, before he starts his pre-snap read. This will force the defense to do any shifting or stemming at this point. Be sure to have both hands under center. Usually, the defense won’t do anything until the QB is under center because they know nothing can happen until the QB is ready to receive the ball.

It is also important that the entire offense get to the line quickly to give the QB time to see how the defense is setting up. The wide receivers should sprint to the LOS so the QB can get an idea of how the secondary is going to line up. Remember, unless you are at the NFL or elite college level, it’s hard for the secondary to hide their coverage because in doing so, they are usually out of position, an unable to be able to cover their area or man very well. This is especially true with regard to defending the quick passing game. It should also be noted that many times offenses get delay of game penalties when a

QB has to audible. This is usually due to the fact that he has no time once he gets set under center, because he has wasted time getting to the line of scrimmage, instead of using his time wisely at the line of scrimmage.

Here is a good quarterback stance behind center

The legs should be flexed comfortably with the shoulders square to the LOS. The QB should remain as tall as the center will permit keeping his back straight and his head up checking the defenders. He should bend at the knees rather than the torso. This allows the QB a better line of vision when scanning the defense while under center. Many QB’s crouch behind the center and are so low to the ground; they can’t see the defense very well. This type of positioning doesn’t allow the quarterback to be very efficient mechanically dropping back, or finding a good mesh with the running back.

Once the QB is at the LOS, his hands should be under the center's crotch, "knuckle deep", spread apart to an angle of ninety degrees, with the thumbs together -- letting the snapper know exactly where to

place the ball. A key point here is that often when the QB receives the ball from center, he will

automatically pull his wrists apart during the exchange. Even alerting the QB to this critical mistake will not take care of the problem. Instead, you will see the ball rolling up the forearm of the quarterback.

A quarterback with the correct hand positioning behind center

By having the QB keep his thumbs together, the hands usually will not come apart during the exchange. Instead, the left hand (in a right handed QB) will automatically wrap around the ball at the exchange. Remember, if you don’t catch the problem right away and correct it, you are just getting repetitions doing something incorrect. If the QB is dropping or bobbling the snap, you must change what the QB is doing with his hands right away and then rep it so that his muscle memory is retrained.

Now that the QB is set behind the center in a comfortable, efficient position, he must scan the defensive front, checking the alignment of the backers and getting a read on the secondary coverage. This will give him an idea of what the defense might be trying to do. He can then make any necessary adjustments.

! Thumbs are together. ! Hands are spread apart to

90-degrees.

Quarterbacks can somewhat control what the defense does before the snap by learning to vary the snap count on every play. The defense would have problems timing their shifts due to the fact that they really cannot anticipate when the quarterback is going to start the play. This is something that should be worked on every day. Just before the snap, the quarterback should have his head up and looking down field every time.

T

HE

P

UNCH

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STEP

In separating from the center at the snap, the QB should ride the center forward with his hands and arms only. As the exchange is affected, he should take a short (six inches maximum) backward step with his left (Punch-step) foot and pivot the foot slightly inward. This "Punch-step" should be taken very quickly, and at the same time the QB is receiving the ball from center. This takes no more time than it would if the quarterback had his feet staggered, because he is taking the step as he is receiving the ball from center.

An example of a quarterback utilizing the punch-step

The Punch-step will help the passer disengage from the center and obtain the proper depth in his drop, while keeping his shoulders square to the LOS during the initial phase of the dropback. It will also prevent the QB from false stepping into the center during the exchange. Many NFL quarterbacks use this “separation step”, and you have probably never even noticed. It happens so quickly you might miss it all together if you were not looking for it.

! The ‘punch-step’ is taken no more than six-inches and slightly pigeon-toed.

Another safety component of the punch-step is that is forces the QB’s right hand to ride forward with the center during the exchange, which will guard against fumbled snaps. So often if the QB pulls out, or backs out too early in the exchange, the QB is not able to secure the ball initially. You will see the QB adjusting the ball or bobbling the ball as he separates from the center, or dropping the ball all together. The sooner the quarterback can grip the ball in the proper manner, the better opportunity he now has to hand the ball off, or drop-back and throw an accurate pass.

Usually, because the QB is primarily focused on his read or finding the mesh with the running back, he has no idea what is going awry with the center exchange. This is why the punch-step is so important to the quarterback’s basic mechanics, and why a balanced stance in conjunction with the use of the punch-step is preferred over a staggered stance.

One quarterback snapping the ball to the other quarterback

! The quarterback kneeling represents the center. His left hand represents the center’s crotch. The hand should stay firm throughout the entire snap process. The snap should also be very firm and quick.

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The first full step away from center should be a long stride with the right foot and should be very clean. This should be followed up with progressively shorter steps. As a general rule, the first two-thirds of the drop should be made up of fairly long strides, with the last third of the drop being composed of shorter, control-type steps. The feet should not come up off the ground much at all. They should almost skim the surface during the dropback.

The QB should have his shoulders slightly open to the Line of Scrimmage during his drop, which will put him in a position to see the entire field. Ideally, his drop will look the same to the defense, regardless of which side of the field he is reading. This is extremely important and cannot be stressed enough. This shoulder positioning during the quarterback’s drop allows him to be cognizant of what is going on as far as blitzes and receiver play are concerned on the backside. In addition, the QB will have his feet in a better position to throw to the backside at anytime during his drop, which will measurably add to the accuracy of the pass thrown to that side.

As far as drops are concerned, a 3-step drop will take the QB about 4 to 4 1/2 yards from the LOS. The 5-step drop will take him from 7 to 7 1/2 yards back, and the 7-step drop will take him about 9 yards back.

! Eyes are focused downfield. ! Ball carriage is good here.

! Shoulders are slightly open to LOS. ! Back is fairly erect.

! Good, flexed knees.

! Feet should almost be parallel to LOS.

A quarterback dropping back with his shoulders slightly open to the line of

Lines with depth markers; the quarterback might be carrying

the ball a bit too low for some coaches, but it’s perfect at the NFL level. He is staying compact and has excellent body position

During the drop-back, the QB must go through his progressions so that when he hits the last step in his drop, he is knows where he will be throwing the football. We want very little or no hesitation by the QB.

It is important to remember that adjustments may be needed to maximize the QB's and receiver's efficiency. For example, in one offense, the QB may use a "7 big with a Hitch step" on an 18-yard comeback route run by the wide receiver. If, however, the QB is late in his delivery, it may become necessary to change his drop to a "7 quick with a Hitch step" in order to time out the pattern.

! Ideally, the top of the ball should be here. Young quarterbacks sometimes let the football get low on them as they hitch-up in their drop. We need to guard against this. ! A near perfect drop. The quarterback takes a 7-quick, with a hitch drop and

As the QB comes to the end of his drop, he must execute the most critical elements of the pass: the front shoulder drop, the back plant step, the Hitch step, the target step, and the concluding follow-through.

Here is an example of how I set up the “drop-at-depth” lines. We get a lot of use out of this drill. It is an excellent way to teach the quarterback the precise depth he needs to be at during each throw.

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One-step: The QB drops back about 3 yards.

Bubble screens (Flair routes), and quick swing routes, and play action quick

routes. Also, fade routes from the five-yard line.

Three-quick: The QB drops back about 4 yards.

HOT routes, hitch routes, slant routes, and Red Zone fade routes.

Three-roll: The QB drops back about 4 yards.

Quick-out routes run by the outside receiver.

Three-big: The QB drops back about 4 1/2 yards.

Slant routes.

Three-big, hold: The QB drops back about 4 1/2 yards.

Stick routes, middle routes, some slant routes and open-field

fade routes.

Five-quick: The QB drops about 6 yards.

Skinny posts, drags, and flat routes.

Five-roll: The QB drops about 6 yards.

Five-big: The QB drops about 7 yards.

Swing routes, inside corner routes, and drag routes.

Five-big with a hitch-step: The QB drops about 7 – 7 1/2 yards.

Curl, square in, and go routes.

Seven-quick with a hitch-step: The QB drops about 8 yards.

Dig routes, smash routes, and corner routes inside the Red Zone.

Seven-big with a hitch-step: The QB drops 9 yards.

Counter routes, post-corners and comeback routes run by the outside

receiver.

Important Note: The quarterback must intuitively remember the depth and mechanics of each drop. He does this by working on each specific route run by each individual receiver. The drop he uses in any individual pass pattern is based on his primary receiver’s individual route. For example, when the quarterback’s primary receiver is running a 12-yard curl route, he will use a “5-hitch drop” even though he may have to throw the pass to another receiver running a flat route; the drop itself is determined by the primary route in the pattern as a general rule.

Remember, the reason you need the various drops is because of timing; you need to get the ball to the receiver just as he makes his break so the defender doesn’t have time to stop the play. Perfect drops mean that you will have a much higher completion percentage and you will rarely have to take quarterback sacks.

When to Use Each Drop

Each specific drop is based on which man in the pattern is the primary receiver. For example, if the primary receiver is a 15-yard Dig route, the quarterback’s drop is 7-quick with a hitch. However, if there is a blitz coming up the middle the QB may decide to go to the built-in hot out which might be the Tight-end running a Drag route. Although the initial drop is 7-quick, the QB will now use a quick 3-step or even a quick 5-step drop in order to get the ball off before the rush gets to him. We’ll now look at several patterns and individual routes and learn how the drops tie into them. It’s important to note that the QB will not really be thinking about his drop; it will become instinct because of the thousands of repetitions he will go through.

The quick passing game is strictly a timed-passing game. The quarterback’s footwork needs to be flawless in order to get the ball out on time and insure an accurate throw. A perfect throw can be the difference between a three-yard gain and a touchdown.

The quarterback needs to have his feet within 18-inches of each other just before he steps into the throw. There isn’t time for a gather or hitch-step and the so footwork is critical.

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As the QB drops back, he will have the ball chest high with the points of the ball vertical. He will have his elbows in and close to the body but not touching. The top end of the ball should be just about level with the top of the sternum. The ball should be carried smoothly, with very little motion away from the center of his body. He should keep his chin close to his forward (left) shoulder in order to read his backside. The grip of the throwing hand should be on the laces as it would be if the QB were throwing a pass. The “off” hand will cover the other side of the football and there should be some pressure applied from this off side. The grip should be firm but not to the point where the QB is squeezing the ball tightly. It should be done in a comfortable, secure manner. Remember, there should be very little movement of the ball during the drop.

Here are several examples of quarterbacks with good ball carriage.

It’s interesting to note that many coaches at the high school and college levels teach their quarterbacks to keep the ball high on their bodies. However at the NFL level, coaches are having their QBs carry the football lower. The bottom tip of the football will be just above the navel. This is because the quarterback’s natural throwing motion has him drop the ball to that level. By holding the ball at that level, the throwing motion is more compact and in turn, the ball comes out a little faster.

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As the quarterback nears the end of his drop, he must take shorter steps and initiate either a “no hitch throw” or use a “hitch-step’ to reset his feet before he throws the football. We want him to drop is front shoulder slightly to stabilize himself and then take a little bounce forward, as he transfers his weight from back to front.

If the QB throws off his back foot without using a front shoulder drop to stabilize his shoulders, the ball will sail over the receiver's head. If he locks his knees because his feet are too far apart before he throws, he'll usually throw the ball into the ground.

The goal of the front shoulder drop is to have the quarterback’s shoulders level in relation to the horizon so that he can throw an accurate pass with the proper velocity or touch.

! Excellent front shoulder drop to level the shoulders just before and during the throw. ! The top of the football should be here – he is

carrying it a little low.

! Good depth in his five-step drop. Before he hitches up, his plant foot should be between 7 and 7 ½ yards from the line of scrimmage.

Here is an example of a quarterback utilizing a good front shoulder drop at the end of his dropback to stabilize and level his shoulders before throwing the pass. The ball is a little low

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One of the most critical components of the drop is the establishment of a solid, comfortable plant foot and the possible resetting (“hitch”) of that foot into the best throwing position. The quarterback’s back foot must always be planted (with most of the weight on the ball of the foot so the heal is slightly off the ground) perpendicular to the target, putting him in the best position to make the throw. Quarterbacks often have difficulty throwing to their backside because they have placed their back foot perpendicular to the middle of the field rather than to their backside target, thereby forcing them to throw across their body.

The quarterback must always get his plant foot perpendicular to his target area on all throws. This means there at times where the quarterback will move his plant-foot first once he reacts to where the football will be thrown. The movement itself should be done quickly and won’t be noticed by the untrained eye. However, when we breakdown his mechanics on film, it will be easy to see if the quarterback took the correct step in order to throw an accurate pass.

! Here is an example of the quarterback repositioning his plant-foot in order to get it perpendicular to his target.

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With his body compact, a bend in his knees, and his feet about 12 inches apart, the quarterback is now in the best position to throw the football quickly with velocity and accuracy, much like a baseball pitcher from a stretch position. It is important for the quarterback to point the inside portion of his lead foot toward the target, or where the target will be when he catches the pass. He does not have to take an extremely long stride, since this might cause him to lock out his knee and throw the ball short into the ground. Furthermore, if done over a period of time, this may cause him pain and create arm trouble. As the QB steps toward the target area, his front shoulder should also be pointed in the same direction.

As the quarterback lands on his stride foot (heel to toe), his front knee should be slightly flexed with his foot pointed toward where the target and the ball will meet. If he lands toe first, his knee will most likely lock out, and he could wind up throwing the ball into the ground.

Anytime the QB has to move up into the pocket to find an outlet receiver, he should hitch-step forward – keeping his feet no more than 18 inches apart. When hitching up in the pocket, he should always bring his back foot forward first – preventing over-striding. The thing a quarterback wants to prevent himself from doing is over-striding. Many times when a

quarterback wants to put some velocity on the pass, he will take a big stride into the throw. The longer the stride, the longer the throwing motion is going to be. This means the ball is going to come out slower, and the defense will have more time to jump throw or get into the passing

lane. The quarterback needs to take a short target-step, spin his shoulders and extend his arm so he gets the most velocity, better accuracy, and more importantly, a quicker release.

Here is an example of both the plant step (back foot) and the target step. The plant step is perpendicular to the target, while the target step is pointed towards where the ball and target will meet.

! Hips are squared to target.

! He has an excellent bend in his front knee.

! His target foot is pointed to where the ball and target will meet.

! His plant step is perpendicular to his target.

It’s extremely important that the quarterback both step and look to towards the area he is throwing to and not the target unless the target is coming back to the quarterback such as on a curl route or hitch route. This means that if the receiver is running a crossing pattern in front of the quarterback, the quarterback will step to a spot in front of the receiver and his eyes will move to that area at the same time. This will make the pass more accurate and help prevent interceptions because the QB will always be looking to the area where the football is going. If defender is in the area, the QB can choose to “save the throw.”

The best thing a quarterback can do is look to the target area (the specific area the ball is going to be thrown to) just as he steps into the throw. If the quarterback sees a defender in the area, he can “save the throw” reset his feet, and look to the next receiver in his progression.

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In every passing offense there are times when the quarterback will not use a hitch (re-set) step before he throws the pass; we will call this technique “firm”. For example, in every quick pass, there is no hitch-step used because it will adversely affect the timing of the throw, and the route will break open before the quarterback is able to throw the football. There are also some five-step pass routes that necessitate (because of timing requirements) the ball be thrown without using a hitch-step. Most often, I teach the quarterbacks the proper mechanics to throw without using a hitch first, because it works out better down the road in the teaching progression.

As the quarterback takes his last crossover step (the second step in a three-step drop) his third step (plant step) will hit the ground at approximately six to eight inches past his second step. That is to say his feet will only be six to eight inches apart as the quarterback steps forward with his target step to throw the ball. At the same time, the QB will drop his front shoulder to stabilize his shoulders to a level position for the throw. It is imperative that the quarterback dropback in a controlled manner in the quick passing game in order to throw an accurate and consistent pass with the proper velocity.

In a three-step drop, the QB will gain depth with his first step, and then use a controlled crossover step, then a short plant-step. This should put him four, to four and one-half yards from the line of scrimmage just before the throw.

In a five-step, no-hitch (firm) drop, the QB will gain depth with his first step, then take short, quick steps for the remainder of his drop. In this case, timing is more important than depth. The quarterback should be at a depth of six-yards from the line of scrimmage just before the throw. This type of throw requires the ball be about half way to the target before the receiver looks back for the ball.

This would be the footwork of a 5-Firm throw. Notice there is no Hitch-step so steps 4 and 5 are close together (this is extremely important). The 5th-step becomes the plant-step. If the QB was going to throw to his left or right, he would plant the 5th _{step perpendicular to the}

target area. In the illustration above, the quarterback is throwing right down the middle of the field.

Here is an example of the footwork in a No-hitch or “firm” throw. The quarterback drops back to 4 ½ yards. His plant step is shorter now that he won’t be using a hitch-step. He needs to do this so he can step into the throw without his feet being too far apart, which would cause his front knee to lock out, and the ball to go into the ground, short of the target.

! This is where the plant-step should go when the QB is using a “No-hitch” (firm) type drop. At the same time, he should drop his front shoulder to stabilize his shoulders to a level throwing position.

! The feet are close together and the quarterback begins to step toward the receiver.

! The center of gravity is in front of the quarterback’s plant step. ! His depth is at 4 ½ yards.

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The most common five, seven, and shotgun type throws are the “step’ throws. The hitch-step involves the action that occurs when the quarterback resets his back foot to throw. He will hit his last step (his feet will be about three feet apart at this time) and then hitch up with the back foot so that his feet come within inches of each other. Then he will push off this back foot as he steps towards his target with his front foot, and transfer his weight forward, smoothly and effectively.

This hitch-step does two things; first, it allows the throw time out better with the receiver, and two, this extra step towards the target will allow the quarterback to drive himself forward in order to get all of his weight (the hips and shoulders) over the front foot as he throws the football. This will help him to throw a more accurate pass, with the potential for maximum velocity and the greatest control.

Most of the quarterback’s power and inertia will come from his legs, hips, torso and shoulders, which will transfer to the ball as it is released. All these body movements need to be

synchronized in order to get the maximum control and velocity out of the throw. The

quarterback needs to learn how to put his body in the best position to throw the ball further with superior accuracy and control.

In this example, the QB has just hit the last step in his drop. He now has to hitch up before he throws the pass.

Learning the Hitch-step can help the quarterback get rid of the ball quickly with accuracy. Many quarterbacks don’t have a smooth hitch-step and it throws off their balance, which in turn throws off their accuracy. I use drills that isolate the movements so the quarterback can get in and out of the hitch quickly with balance. A smooth pragmatic hitch-step can really help a quarterback throw accurately with more velocity.

! This is approximately where the QB will land on his next step before he hitches up to throw the pass.

The QB’s feet are too far apart at this point to throw an accurate pass. He will hitch-up to re-set his feet so they are closer

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The quarterback’s grip on the football is very important and can often mean the difference between throwing a spiral or a wobbly pass. One of the most important things a quarterback should not do is to grip the football too tightly. When this happens, the pass thrown is usually not a spiral. So the grip should be firm, but certainly not tight. There should also be a space, between the ball and the palm of the hand.

A good example of the space between the palm of the hand and the football

Obviously, the smaller the quarterback’s hand is, the higher he will probably have to grip the ball. The fingers should be spread apart evenly across the ball and always on the laces. I believe one of the first things that were changed about Tim Couch’s grip on the football was that his coach

! Here is an example of where the space should be seen.

had him grip the laces of the football, which he had not done in the past. This gave him much more control of the rotation of the ball.

I think the quarterback should experiment with different fundamentally sound grips until he finds one the works very well for him. But he should remember that there should always be a space between the ball and his palm, he should grip the laces, and finally, his index finger will always be the last to leave the football. This causes a callous on the inside portion of his index finger after several weeks of throwing the football.

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If I could only teach one new technique to a quarterback (or anyone who throws a ball in sports) I would teach them how to spin their shoulders to increase their accuracy and velocity. It would also give them probably up to 5 or 6-yards more distance on their long balls. When I watch NFL quarterbacks warm up before games, they are all spinning their shoulders close to 180-degrees. That means that just before the throw, their non-throwing shoulder will be pointing directly at the target area, and after the throw the throwing shoulder will end up pointing at the target area.

The shoulder-spin is a technique that is used to increase the rotation-velocity of the football. This will make the pass much easier for the receiver to catch and the ball will cut through the air much easier. A pass with a great deal of rotation-velocity will create a tight spiral that will be much more accurate in windy or rainy weather.

The quarterback will step into the throw with his front shoulder pointed in the direction he throwing the pass. As he releases the football, he will spin his shoulders so that his back shoulder will be facing that same area, once the ball is released. The quarterback must keep his shoulders level throughout the shoulder-spin (except when throwing the deep ball).

! As the quarterback steps into the throw, his front shoulder is pointed in the direction he is throwing the pass.

! His shoulders are level and his front elbow is coming down through to his side.

! His front knee has a good bend in it, and he does not over-stride.

! Once the quarterback begins the throwing motion, his eyes stay locked on his target (never watch the football).

! The back shoulder is now pointing to where the pass and the target met.

! The throwing hand is now on his opposite hip.

! The plant foot comes to a point almost even with the target-step.

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In his ready position, the quarterback should have his body under control, his feet about shoulder width apart under his hips, his knees bent, and the ball held in both hands at chest level. As his lead foot is brought forward, the quarterback’s support hand should gently push the ball back just before it comes off the ball completely. The quarterback will also have his front shoulder pointed in the direction he wants the ball to go – this is extremely important! At this time, as the body moves forward, the hips and shoulders are level in relation to the ground. Then as the ball in the throwing hand comes back to a point behind the head, the non-passing elbow comes down and back across the left side of the body. The hips and shoulders start to open and the ball is released just after the hips and shoulders are parallel to the line of scrimmage.

The release is done with a smooth, synchronized action of the quarterback’s feet, legs, trunk, hips, and throwing arm. It should be noted that the quarterback’s index finger on his throwing hand is the dominant digit. It leaves the ball last as the quarterback’s arm follows through toward the center of his body. The quarterback’s throwing hand winds up with his palm facing the ground and his fingers pointing toward where the target and ball will meet, half way through the follow-through. The quarterback’s throwing hand will end up on his opposite hip at the end of the throwing motion. Quarterbacks who throw the ball a lot will get a callas on the inside edge of the tip of their index finger. It is produced by the friction of the ball against the last point of contact.

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The Follow-through

While the follow-through is an essential part of the quarterback’s throwing action, this function has often been misinterpreted. As a point of fact, once the ball leaves the quarterback’s hand, there is nothing more he can do for the throw – the ball is gone.

However the helpful feature of the follow-through is to give the quarterback and his coach a relatively good idea of what was done right and wrong in the throw. The coach can check all of the quarterback’s key body areas (i.e., hand, wrist, elbow, arm, head, shoulders, hips, knees, feet, etc.) to make sure everything is where it ought to be. One other thing the coach or quarterback can look at is the flight of the ball. Any flaw in technique can show up in the flight of the ball. One very important thing the quarterback should always do is to watch the receiver (not the flight of the ball) until the football is caught. This will improve his accuracy in a very dramatic way, in a short period of time.

As a general rule, the quarterback’s passing hand should flow toward the center of his body and wind up with his palm facing the ground and his fingers pointing toward where the target and the ball will meet. When all his mechanics are executed correctly, the quarterback will deliver the ball with a tight spiral that achieves distance and accuracy without wasted motion or effort. It is much, much easier throwing the football with proper mechanics.

! Eyes are focused on the target.

! His back shoulder is now pointing at the target. ! Good hand position on

follow-through.

! He still has some bend in his front knee.

! His plant-step comes almost even with his target-step after the throw.

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Throwing the deep ball is a little different than throwing most passes in that, the quarterback should now tilt his shoulders upward as he steps into the throw. He also needs to concentrate on his follow-through on the throw.

The quarterback is ready to step into the

throw once he has tilted his shoulders upward

By tilting his shoulders upward as he hits his last step, the nose of the ball will now point upward naturally as the ball is released. When the quarterback exercises good mechanics, which will lead to a good follow-throw on the throw, the ball will “turn over” as it approaches the target.

The timing on the streak / go / take-off is critical. Too often the ball comes out of the quarterback’s hand late because the quarterback is waiting for the receiver to get past the defender. The well timed throw will be out of the quarterback’s hand before the receiver is 20-yards downfield – yes, 20-20-yards. The QB will put good arch on the throw and the receiver will catch the pass just past 40-yards downfield (closer to 45-yards downfield). A lot of times when the defender is playing off the defender might still be in his back-peddle as the QB steps

! The forward shoulder is tilted upward. ! The quarterback has good ball carriage.