What to Look For in A Quarterback

QUARTERBACK PLAY
One of the common objections to the Spread Offense, and utilizing the option component is the abilities of the quarterback position. The most important quality in selecting the quarterback is his desire to compete. A competitor will always find a way to win! Here is a brief summary of the expectations of our quarterbacks:

A successful QB understands the process of making himself better. Learn to compete and have fun playing the game. So be an athlete, be relaxed, and make yourself better everyday!!

Hardest Worker on the Team: Do it and never say a word!
• Accept nothing but your best performance at all times. Strive for perfection.
 Are you a better football player today than you were yesterday? Will you be better tomorrow than you are today? Drills and repetition are the keys to consistency.
 Do you have too much pride to accept less than the best in any drill? Practice at game speed - relate the drill to game conditions. Do not repeat mistakes.

• Have the best attitude and work habits of anyone on the team. Never miss a workout in the offseason; be the first player on and last player off the field every day; lead by example.
 Do not loaf through workouts. Your teammates are watching to see how hard you work and what sacrifices you will make to become a better football player. Be the first to the weight room and the last to leave.
 Are you working harder than any player to improve your techniques and be in the best condition?

• Be the first (or near the top) in all activities. In sprints, win every one, not just the first few. Show that you have the desire to win!

Study the Game!
• A QB cannot perform if he is confused.
 Study & learn all that you can about the defenses' strengths, weaknesses and how to attack them. Watch tapes looking at points and areas you have just studied to solidify concepts.
 Recognize and understand the tendencies and relative strengths for each defense.

• Understand the offense: the philosophy, strengths and weaknesses.
 Have a thorough knowledge of the offense; blocking assignments, adjustments and plays that are best against a given defense.

• Show your excitement for the game.

• Never attend a QB meeting without your QB Manual, paper and pencils.

Be a Good Citizen!
• Get excellent grades; turn in your homework — on time.

• Do not miss classes.

• SAY NO to tobacco, alcohol and drugs.

• Watch your language.

The acronym DART is one that we use for the quarterback position:

D Desire: The QB must have the desire to do the right things, always.
A Ability: The QB improves this daily (off-season and in season) through hard work.
R Reliability: The QB must be mistake-proof in both mental and physical ability.
T Talent: Be a fiduciary of God's gifts by exhibiting Desire, Ability and Reliability.
S Success: Measured only in terms of TEAM results.

In summary, a Quarterback is a player who is a great student of the game and a strong competitor. He must work to his SKILLS daily and realize that games are won by PERFORMANCE, not potential. He must take PRIDE in his work and have a great desire to WIN.

Stance
When the quarterback is in the gun, he will align with his heels at five yards, directly behind the center. The knees should be slightly bent in an athletic position, with a slight stagger (left foot back for the right-handed quarterback) with the head and eyes up. The hands should also be up in a position to receive the ball, even if the Pre-Snap Read process has not been completed. There are two reasons for this, (1) the defense will not stem or reveal their intentions as long as the quarterback is not in a position to receive the ball, and (2) if the hands are up, the quarterback has a chance to knock down a bad snap.

Reads
The quarterback ("QB") should always Pre-Snap Read by looking at the defense. In addition, the QB will read personnel in coverage as the play develops by Reading on the Move, but this should be based upon a progression. This receiver progression is based upon the PSR.

The pre-snap read procedure is for the QB to formulate possible defensive sets that he might expect the defense to play and determine if the defense has the offense outnumbered at the point of attack ("POA"). The QB will approach the line looking to the left, middle and right using a soft gaze technique (a rhythmic scan of the field) without giving away the direction of the play. He will read from sideline to sideline to determine (1) depth of the corners, (2) number of safeties, (3) weakside flat defender and, (4) the front (number of rush defenders). The true read will only take place when the QB is in a position to receive the ball; i.e., hands under the center when in the "T" or hands up when in the gun.

On the snap of the ball, the QB will read the focus area (progression) based upon the pre-snap read. The technique used is a "hard focus", which is a rhythmic fix on a specific defender or zone. The "reading on the move" or ROM should allow the QB to find a "line of sight" to the void in the defense. The line of sight allows the QB to see (read) the defender(s) while the receiver's route develops. The initial focus area (first two steps) is through the linebackers to the goal post. If the linebackers are moving laterally, then it is possible man coverage (underneath); if the linebackers are dropping back, the read is zone coverage. The reason for looking through the goal post is to see if a safety is at home; i.e., three (3) deep zone or man with a free. If there is no secondary person, then it is a possible two (2) or four (4) deep zone, maybe even a man depending on the pre-snap read. Also, the QB can see any rotation by the secondary when reading through the goal post. The QB then uses a "hard focus" in the throwing direction. The throwing decision is based upon what the QB sees in the "line of sight".

The receivers or backs will adjust ("convert") their route based upon what the defenders are doing. The QB will read on the move, using a "hard focus" on the defenders. By keying the defenders, the QB will know exactly where the receiver or back is going. When the QB keys defenders, as opposed to watching their receivers routes develop, it keeps them from "locking on" a particular receiver.

Drops
Drops are a critical component to throwing the football — that is why the gun is so effective. The sooner the QB is set to throw, the more time he has to look over the field. Having the time to read the "line of sight" as the pass pattern develops (progression) will help the completion average.

When a QB is throwing out of the gun, we say "gun equals two". This means that if a pass pattern typically requires a 3-step drop, then the QB will execute a 1-step drop, and if the pattern calls for a 5-step drop, then the QB will execute a 3-step drop. The footwork for the QB's drops are exactly the same as if he were under center.

Here is an overview of the 1 and 3-step drop mechanics:

1-step drops —The basic footwork is a bounce step back and throw. The QB must catch the ball and throw. The 1-step is typically a short throw, that requires timing, so don't waste time searching for the laces. It is very important that the QB tuck using the stomach muscles to keep the "chin and spine" angle in neutral. If the "chin and spine" angle is back, there is a high probability that the throw will be high.

3-Step Drop — In the gun, the three-step drop is used most of the time. The basic footwork is:

1. Separation Step
a. Stride as deep as comfortable
b. Pivot on the staggered foot and take a long step back toward the Passing Spot.
c. The head and eyes should be straight down field.
d. The "chin & spine" angle should be back.

2. Alignment Step
a. Use a crossover step with the front foot to six o'clock.
b. Foot should be at a slight angle away from the line of scrimmage ("LOS") when passing to the throwing arm side and toward the LOS when throwing.
c. The head and eyes should be straight down field.
d. Work for body control and balance.
e. The "chin & spine" angle should be in neutral.

3. Plant
a. Hit your back foot and throw or hang.
• Hang is executed by keeping the front up in the air for a moment to buy some extra time for the receivers to clear.
b. The step may drift past the midline when throwing to the arm side.
c. The "chin & spine" angle should be forward.

Sprint out — The emphasis here is to get the QB outside the containment and throw the ball on the run. There will be time when the QB sets his feet ("pulls up") once he breaks containment. The QB throws off his third, fifth, seventh, or ninth step when he runs to the throwing arm side. The delivery begins as the wrong foot (left for a right-handed QB) hits the ground with the release of the ball the normal (right for a right-handed QB) foot hits the ground. The ball must be in a ready position on the second step so the QB can begin the throw quickly. If the release occurs before an "odd" number of steps, the throw will be across the body.

When coming out to the backside, the technique is similar. But, the QB spins or rolls out, rather than opening. In order to get the QB back in rhythm and throwing off his proper foot, the QB will release the ball on even steps four, six, eight or ten. When throwing to the backside the QB must lean into the throw on his wrong foot (left for a right-handed QB). The normal foot (right for a right-handed QB) does not crossover, but it must step slightly to the outside of the target. This will bring the wrong foot forward and the QB can follow through properly. The run action and bootleg passes fall into the sprint techniques once the QB executes the running play fake and breaks containment.

Some additional points are:
• When throwing on the run it is important for the QB to move their arms, hands and football in a natural motion. This results in fluid running action and maximum speed. The head must be silent with no additional or unnatural movement.
• When sprinting out the passer should continue to run toward the receiver on the follow through.