COACH SLACK????

Coach,
First let me apologize for the delay in my response, I did not catch this question until tonight. I don't like delaying coaches, I am sorry.

Thanks for your comments on the videos, I am glad you found them helpful.

In terms of your question of "open" and "closed" hips: Essentially, I try to encourage QBs to keep their hips closed as long as possible in the drive step. If the hip opens early, the whip causes a disconnect between the lower and upper body, and it will encourage the slash in the release, and a significant drop in weight transfer and power. Basically, the hips are transferring the energy from the leg drive into the torso on the turn, and an early whip creates a gap in the power. This gap allows the turn of the body to impact the arm severely. Here's how: Imagine a carousel spinning out of control, whatever is on the carousel is going to fly off outward due to the force of the turning. This is what happens when the legs are cut off from the throw. The torso torque builds on the open hips and is forced to generate its own power, due to "gap", and no help from the legs in throwing off the rhythm. This causes the arm(a much smaller appendage) to get "thrown" outward - and the problems build from there. Some would say, wouldn't you want that whip for more power? Not if the power I am getting isn't under my control, and isn't assisting the accuracy and consistency of the release. This power is lightning to a QB - fun to look at and impressive at times, but scary if its on your field, because it is uncontrollable and unpredictable. We want electricity - the smooth and measured conduction of energy that coulf be as awesome as lightning, but is so under control, it will safely keep a baby's room dimly lit, without making a mother worry.

If the hips stay closed, the later hip move is able to release energy more smoothly in the form of momentum to the turn that not only reduces how hard the torso has to work, but provides a measure of elevating support that offsets the lateral force of the turn. So, instead of an out of control carousel, you now have a "corkscrew" effect, rising up and out to the release. This rising support suspends the impact of the wild turn, increases the torque that is applied to the release, allows the elbow to elevate more cleanly without hindrance, permits the wrist to attack the hallway more vertically, thus improving the pronation of the wrist, and greatly improves the ability of the QB to control pace and accuracy. This patience of the hips has a very positive cause effect on the whole release.

Now, there is a wild assumption that I am making, that the QB understands how to use the power that rises through the "corkscrew", releasing it through his tricep, but I can only address what you asked at this point. Remember, we are not talking about 1 way to throw here, we are talking about how a simple understanding of physics can increase the probabilities of success for the QB, and this discipline of elevation off the drive from the legs using a suspended turn of the hips, is a meaningful cog in the "kinetic chain" of the throwing motion.

Many coaches teach QBs to stand tall, and get as "tall" as possible in the pocket, but I am working from a different vantage point. I want the QB tall from the hips up, but his knees need to stay reasonably bent to allow for this elevating "corkscrew" effect to support the elbow, against the centrifugal force of the torso's turn. If the QB gets so tall, he will just be forced to drop his weight onto a bending front knee, and it can open up significant problems in weight transfer and hips.

Coaches will combat this problem with a one-size fits all "short stride" mechanic, that while it may fix the problem of dropping too low, firing the hips early, and whipping the elbow around too low, it reduces the amount of weight that could be transferred. Why? Because there is no functional elevation from the legs, just outward and downward force onto the bent knee. The QB will not use something he doesn't understand. He just "drops" into the release, and does not naturally elevate. A permanent short stride stops the body from moving the weight it could if the thought process were changed. The stride should change slightly based on the throw necessary and the weight that needs to be transferred for that throw. Now, I am not suggesting a "big stride, but only one that is more fluid based on a functional understanding of weight transfer. The QB lands on the ball of the front foot to keep the front knee above the front foot at all times, insuring the front knee doesn't lock early, and now you can adjust the stride as necessary, using this elevating concept as a function of "feel," not just 1 stride fits all.

If we can move from "Tall to Small," to "Bend to Extend," I now create all kinds of opportunities for success: I support the arm's move to the proper extension on the release, creating more efficient power and performance, improving accuracy, touch, consistency, rotation, velocity(if necessary), and trajectory control - all with less effort. I ensure the body is now involved in every throw, I can control the flow of energy to improve touch, and if I am forced to shorten my stride due to pressure or rush, the arm support and weight transfer is present in the rising turn to make any throw I need to out to 30 yards despite pressure in the face. Why? Despite the poor stride, the elevation on the turn provides more than enough momentum to get the ball down the field with proper extension on the release(again, an assumption on the QB's understanding of extension)

The teaching of any concept, or fundamental, in my opinion, must include the ability to provide an answer for any eventuality a QB will face, and while the "Tall to small" approach will certainly create force through the "drop in" of the QBs weight, it is just the opposite of the upward flight of the ball. Wouldn't it make sense that we would want to support the eventual inevitable trajectory of the football on the upward arc? Well, Coach Slack, won't that make the ball sail? Not if the QB understands extension and compression in the release(again, an assumption)

Opening the hips early makes none of this possible, it just guarantees a "1-speed thrower", who lacks control in pace, and consistency of accuracy under pressure. A "lightning" show of unpredictable power and plays that looks impressive at times, but cannot be relied on in the long run. That QB will lack the ability to adjust to varying release points and pressure, because he doesn't understand how to use his body to support the elbow's move to the release.

The simple way to help the QB keep his hips closed, is to encourage him to keep his front toe closed until it almost strikes the ground on the forward step. It should open at the last moment, in the left 9" of the hallway. The other key to keeping the hips closed and the weight transition smooth is controlling the separation of the front hand off the ball. If you can keep the front hand on the ball until the weight is deep into the hallway, or until just before the front foot hits, this will keep the left side in check on the turn.

Hope this helps.

Coach Slack