3 STEP DROPBACK PASS OFFENSE

Your 3 step drop back passing game SHOULD reap OVER 80% completions (IF you give it plenty of reps in practice, AND, work against a timer):

QB READS ON 3 STEP PASSING GAME:

HERE IS OUR WHOLE PHILOSOPHY IN A NUTSHELL. PICTURE YOURSELF AS THE QUARTERBACK IN THE FOLLOWING EXAMPLE:

X-----------O-O-X-O-O-Y
--------H--------Q-----------------Z

-----------------R

X & Z = OUTSIDE RECEIVERS
H & Y = INSIDE RECEIVERS

YOU HAVE TWO MEN SPREAD ACROSS THE FIELD — X AND Z. IF EITHER OF THE TWO MEN IS SINGLE OPEN (CB BAILING), YOU SHOULD THROW TO HIM ALL DAY. IF YOUR OPPONENT SENDS SOMEONE OUT TO HELP COVER HIM, YOU SHOULD RUN! THIS IS THE FIRST THING WE DO. WE CHECK OUR WIDE RECEIVERS. IF THEY ARE SINGLE COVERED, WE GO TO OUR 3 STEP GAME.

ALL OF THE ABOVE IS ASSUMING THE CORNERS ARE OFF AND "BAILING". WE DO NOT LIKE THE 3 STEP GAME INTO HARD CORNERS. SO, IF THE CORNERS ARE OFF AND BAILING — HOW DOES THE DEFENSE HELP THEM? CHECK THE ALIGNMENT OF THE MAN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FLAT.

HITCH:

1. READ THE CUSHION (BEST MATCH UP) CORNER ON WR
2. KEY FLAT DEFENDER — IF FLAT DEFENDER INTERSECTS THE HITCH TO THE OUTSIDE RECEIVER, THROW THE HITCH TO THE INSIDE RECEIVER. IF THE FLAT DEFENDER GETS DEPTH, THROW THE HITCH TO THE OUTSIDE RECEIVER.
3. THIS IS A 3 STEP DROP/RHYTHM THROW.

UP/FADE:

1. KEY THE CORNERBACK — IF HE SITS & JAMS THROW THE FADE TO THE OUTSIDE RECEIVER BETWEEN THE HALF SAFETIES AND OVER THE TOP OF THE SQUAT CORNER. THIS THROW MUST BE ON A LINE WITH VERY LITTLE AIR UNDER IT. (BEST MATCH UP).
2. IF THE CORNERBACK TURNS HIPS AND RUNS WITH THE VERTICAL LOOK TO THROW THE FADE TO THE OUTSIDE RECEIVER.
3. IF THE HALF SAFETY VACATES THE HASH TO GET OVER THE TOP OF THE FADE ROUTE, THROW THE SEAM ROUTE TO THE INSIDE RECEIVER.

SLANT:

1. READ THE CUSHION (BEST MATCH UP).
2. READ THE FLAT DEFENDER — IF HE BUZZES TO THE FLAT — THROW THE SLANT TO THE OUTSIDE RECEIVER. IF HE GETS DEPTH TAKE THE ARROW ROUTE TO THE INSIDE RECEIVER.
3. THIS IS A 3 STEP DROP/RHYTHM THROW.

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WR ROUTES IN QUICK PASSING GAME

A) HITCH: A FULL 5 STEP ROUTE. DO NOT SHORTEN STEPS OR RAISE UP AT BREAKING POINT. ON FIFTH STEP ELBOW JAM TO QB PIVOTING INSIDE HIP TO THE OUTSIDE (THE EYES ARE THE FIRST THING TO TURN). BE STATIONARY & DO NOT DRIFT BACK OR TOWARDS THE QB AS THE BALL WILL BE IN THE AIR (IF THE BALL IS NOT IN THE AIR START "CREEPING" BACK TO THE QB). IF YOU GET A PRESS OR ROLL CB CONVERT TO FADE.

B) UP (FADE): BREAK DOWN CUSHION AS QUICK AS POSSIBLE, ATTACK THE DEFENDER (STEP ON HIS TOES) AND GO THROUGH HIS OUTSIDE SHOULDER. IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE READY FOR THE JAM BY THE CB - MISDIRECT HIS FORCE AND HOLD YOUR LINE. NEVER BE CLOSER THAN 5 YARDS TO THE SIDELINE. THE QB WILL DROP THE BALL OVER YOUR OUTSIDE SHOULDER. IF YOU GET A ROLL CB TRY TO GET AN OUTSIDE RELEASE — IF THE CB WON'T LET YOU OUTSIDE PUSH HIM TO THE SIDELINE AND DUCK INSIDE.

C) SLANT: A FULL 3 STEP ROUTE. DO NOT SHORTEN STEPS OR RAISE UP AT BREAKING POINT. ON YOUR THIRD STEP BREAK HARD AT 45 DEGREE ANGLE (THE EYES ARE THE FIRST THING TO TURN). IF MAN COVERAGE BREAK AWAY HARD FROM CB. IF ZONE COVERAGE BE READY TO THROTTLE DOWN IN THE HOLE BEHIND THE FLAT DEFENDER. IF YOU GET A PRESS CORNER GET INSIDE OF HIM, PUSH BACK AND BREAK AWAY.

TIMING RECEIVERS ROUTES:

GIVE THE RECEIVER 1 SECOND TO GET OUT OF HIS STANCE, AND 1/10 SECOND FOR EACH ADDITIONAL YARD RUN. FOR EXAMPLE: A 6 YARD "HITCH" SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY THE RECEIVER IN 1.6 SECONDS! NOTE: ON A TIMING ROUTE — THE RECEIVER MUST TAKE AT LEAST TWO MORE STEPS THAN THE QB DOES IN SETTING UP (THIS GIVES THE QB .5 SECONDS TO GET THE BALL OUT).

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QB CROSS STEP FOOTWORK IN DROPPING BACK 3 STEPS:

1. Pivot on the left foot and take a long step back toward the set-up spot with the right foot. Then use cross-over action to the set-up spot.

2. The set-up will vary according to the pass called and will be determined by the number of steps you take. Starting with the right foot, you will take 3 steps and "Stop", "ready" to pass. You must have stopped and be ready to pass before the receiver makes his final break (on at LEAST 2 steps more than the QB took). SET UP TAKES .8 OF A SECOND.

3. Open your shoulders at an angle NOT TO EXCEED 90 degrees to the LOS and look straight down the field, seeing your reads as you go back. Know where you are going with the ball by the time you reach the set-up spot. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE QB TO KEEP HIS SHOULDERS AT A RIGHT ANGLE TO LOS, AND HIS FOREHEAD PARALLEL TO THE LOS SO HE CAN SEE THE FIELD.

4. The ball must be held chest high and with two hands. Always be ready to unload the ball quickly. BE ABLE TO RELEASE THE BALL IN .5 OF A SECOND ON TIMING ROUTES IF RECEIVER OPEN AS 3RD STEP HITS.

5. Step in the "Ready" position without any resetting so you can pass immediately if necessary.

6. THREE STEP DROP ("QUICK DROP"):
A. The 3 step drop is a 1 + 2 step drop, with 1 full stride and 2 short gathering strides — planting on the third step and throw. Always stop with short steps and come to balance before throwing.
B. It is coordinated with the quick passing game. Receivers run 5 step breaks.
C. Think in terms of the set-up spot being 3 to 4 yards deep.

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ESTABLISHING TIMING BETWEEN QB's & RECEIVERS:

THIS APPLIES TO "TIMING" ROUTES ONLY:

A) THE TIMING OF THE DELIVERY IS ESSENTIAL. IT IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT ITEM TO SUCCESSFUL PASSING!

B) GIVE THE RECEIVER 1 SECOND TO GET OUT OF HIS STANCE, AND 1/10 SECOND FOR EACH ADDITIONAL YARD RUN. FOR EXAMPLE: A 6 YARD "HITCH" SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY THE RECEIVER IN 1.6 SECONDS! NOTE: ON A TIMING ROUTE — THE RECEIVER MUST TAKE AT LEAST TWO MORE STEPS THAN THE QB DOES IN SETTING UP (THIS GIVES THE QB .5 SECONDS TO GET THE BALL OUT).

C) QUARTERBACK MUST GET THE BALL OUT OF HIS HAND (ON "TIMING ROUTES") BEFORE THE RECEIVER MAKES HIS FINAL BREAK. FOR EXAMPLE: THE RECOMMENDED TIME FOR THE QB ON THE "HITCH" IS 1.3 SECONDS.

D) (QB) IF YOU CANNOT CO-ORDINATE EYE AND ARM TO GET THE BALL AT IT'S INTENDED SPOT PROPERLY AND ON TIME, YOU ARE NOT A PASSER!!!

E) KEEPING THE BALL IN BOTH HANDS AND CHEST HIGH IS PART OF THE ANSWER.

F) "BREAKING POINTS": (FOR TIMING PURPOSES) — OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING (ON TIMING ROUTES):

1) QB TAKES 3 STEPS (IN .8 SECOND) — ON PASSES WITH BREAKING POINTS OF 6 YARDS. QB GETS THE BALL OUT IN 1.3.
2) QB TAKES 5 STEPS (IN 1.3 SECONDS) ON PASSES WITH BREAKING POINTS OF 12 YARDS. QB GETS THE BALL OUT IN 1.8.
3) QB TAKES 5 STEPS & A RESET (HITCH) STEP UP ON MANUEVER PASSES, & PASSES WITH DEEPER BREAKING POINTS (APPROXIMATELY 18 YARDS). THESE ARE GENERALLY NOT TIMING ROUTES, BUT THE QB NEEDS TO GET THE BALL OUT NO LATER THAN 2.5 (2.7 AT VERY LATEST).

QB FOOTWORK IN RELATION TO TIMING:

A) IF GOING TO FIRST MAN IN PROGRESSION ON A "TIMING" ROUTE ("HITCH", "OUT", ETC) — THROW IMMEDIATELY AS YOUR LAST STEP (3 OR 5) HITS THE GROUND ("PLANT-STEP-THROW"). IF HE IS ON A "MANUEVER" ROUTE ("POST CORNER", ETC) — YOU HAVE TO "HITCH" UP INTO THE THROW.

B) IF GOING TO THE 2nd OR 3rd RECEIVER IN THE PROGRESSION — YOU MUST RESET YOUR FEET TO GET YOUR LEFT SHOULDER POINTED AT THE TARGET AREA AFTER COMING OFF THE 1st RECEIVER IN THE PROGRESSION, ONCE FOR #2, AND AGAIN FOR #3 (IF GOING TO HIM). DO ALL OF THIS AS YOU ARE DROPPING BACK IF POSSIBLE — NOT AFTER YOUR 5th STEP HITS. NOTE: IF READING 3 MEN IN A PROGRESSION ON THE 5 STEP DROP — IT CAN TAKE BETWEEN 2.0 TO 2.7 (DEPENDING ON IF YOU THROW ON THE SET, RESET ONCE, OR RESET TWICE).

C) NOTE: KNOW WHICH THROWS ARE "TIMING" (RHYTHM) THROWS, AND WHICH ARE "MANUEVER" ROUTES.


billmountjoy@yahoo.com