Quarterback Tips

11 COMMANDMENTS TO BE A SUCCESSFUL QB

1. IGNORE OTHER OPINIONS
Family, wife, friends or relative, fans. Ignore them on matters of football. They don't know what is happening here.
2. CLOWNS CAN'T RUN A HUDDLE
Don't forget to have fun, but don't be the class clown. Clowns & leaders don't mix. Clowns can't run a huddle.
3. FAT QBS CAN'T AVOID THE RUSH
Qbs throw with their legs more than their arms.. Squat & run! Fat QBs can't avoid the rush!
4. KNOW YOUR JOB COLD
This is not a game without errors. Keep you errors to a minimum. Study the plays!
5. KNOW YOUR OWN PLAYERS
Who's fast. Who can catch. Be precise. Who needs encouragement. Know your opponent.
6. BE THE SAME GUY EVERY DAY
Prepare to lead. Study the plan. A coach can't prepare you for every eventuality. Prepare yourself.
7. THROWING THE BALL AWAY IS A GOOD PLAY
Sacks, interceptions & fumbles are bad plays. Protect against those.
8. LEARN TO MANAGE THE GAME: CLOCK, CLOCK, CLOCK
Personnel, play calling, emotions, ball handling, proper reads, accurate throws, play fakes. Clock, clock, clock...don't ever lose track of the clock
9. GET YOUR TEAM IN THE ENDZONE
Passing stats & TD passes is not how your going to be judged. You'll be judged on getting your team in the end zone.
10. DON'T PANIC
When chaos is all around you, you must be the hand that stirs the ship. If you have a panic button, so will everyone else.
11. DON'T BE A CELEBRITY QUARTERBACK
We need a battle field commander willing to fight it out every play, every week & every season and to lead their team to win, after win, after win.

Source: Bill Parcells

QB CROSS STEP FOOTWORK IN DROPPING BACK

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 or 5 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).

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.

5. Step in the "Ready" position without any resetting so you can pass immediately if necessary. (A small reset step may be taken on a 5 step drop).

6. THREE STEP DROP: ("QUICK DROP"): SET IN .8/THROW AS EARLY AS 1.3
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.

7. FIVE STEP DROP: SET IN 1.3/THROW AS EARLY AS 1.8
A. The 5 step drop is a 3 + 2 step drop, with 3 full strides and 2 short gathering strides to plant on the fifth step. Always stop with short steps and come to balance before throwing.
B. Plant and throw on the fifth step on timing routes. If the pattern needs more time, bounce and allow it to develop — then throw. Receivers run at least a 7 step break.
C. Think in terms of the set-up spot being 5-6 yards deep.

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QB THROWING TECHNIQUE:

1. BACKSWING & STEP: Body unfolds like an accordion. Simple and direct — no twist — ball goes UP and BACK to a point above and behind shoulder. Palm faces target throughout — take SHORT step in direction of throw. "Frame" target between your feet.

2. WEIGHT TRANSFER: Feet as wide as armpits (with knees slightly flexed — never locked or rigid). Weight transfers as ball starts forward. 90% on rear foot before throw (instep pointed at target). 90% on front foot after throw. CHIN OVER TOE OF LEAD FOOT ON DELIVERY.

3. THROWING MOTION:

A. ELBOW LEAD: Elbow above shoulder on backswing. Elbow leads ball as in fast ball — should NOT be a conscious effort.

B. HIGH RELEASE: Ball comes forward as high off ground as comfortable — arm leverage — "throw over a fence" — more power — avoid defensive block. ELBOW SHOULDER HEIGHT OR HIGHER.

C. FINGERTIP CONTROL: Push fingertips of ring, middle, and index finger THROUGH the ball. Tips control accuracy — thumb leaves ball early.

D. WRIST WHIP: PALM FACES TARGET AS IN FAST BALL — not curve ball. No pointing of ball — long axis aligns after release.

E. FOLLOW THROUGH: Extend hand, arm and shoulders toward target — pronate wrist — allow hip and rear foot to come around.

F. WHOLE BODY CONCEPT: All power comes from feet through knees, hip, and trunk. Whole body pivots like spring uncoiling — delivery must come OFF front foot — not against front foot.

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QB DRILLS:

HASH MARK DRILL (THE ONLY QB DRILL WE DO DAILY — AS WELL AS IN PRE-GAME):

OBJECTIVE: TEACHES 3 & 5 STEP DROPS & THROWS TO A MAN 17 YDS. AWAY HORIZONTALLY, & 6 OR 12 YDS. DEEP VERTICALLY (THE WIDTH & DEPTH OF MOST OF OUR PASSES TO WR's):

1. PUT ONE QB ON THE HASH 1 YD OFF THE LOS TO ALLOW 1 YD FOR CENTER. PUT THE OTHER QB ON THE OPPOSITE HASH EITHER 6 YDS DEEP VERTICALLY (IF WORKING ON 3 STEP DROPS) OR 12 YDS DEEP VERTICALLY (IF WORKING ON 5 STEP DROPS).
2. QB's DROP BACK & THROW BACK & FORTH TO EACH OTHER. HAVE 2-3 FOOTBALLS IN FRONT OF QB's SO THEY WON'T WASTE TIME CHASING BAD THROWS.
NOTE: HAVE QB'S THROW EQUAL AMOUNT TO THE RIGHT & LEFT.



GOAL POST DRILL

OBJECTIVE: TEACHES A HIGH RELEASE (HELPS YOU GET YOUR ARM UP AND OVER).

1. LINE UP QB'S 10 YARDS FROM GOAL POST.
2. THROW BALL AS CLOSE AS YOU CAN TO CROSS BAR. (IMPORTANT: HIT RECEIVER IN THE CHEST).



DEEP BALL DRILL

Purpose: To teach a quarterback the proper throwing spot and trajectory when throwing the deep "up" pass.

Equipment: 55 gallon plastic garbage cans.

Procedure:

1. Place garbage cans approximately 42 yards downfield and 4 to 5 yards inside the boundary.

2. Quarterbacks should simulate their proper drop (full speed) and attempt to throw the football into the containers.

3. After throwing to the targets, remove the cans and have receivers run patterns ("ups") that will get them to the same spot, 42 yards downfield. Depth can be adjusted for younger quarterbacks and shorter drops. Technique is the same. Full speed drops and proper trajectory.

Coaching Points

1. Emphasize full speed drops.

2. Emphasize keeping ball in bounds.

3. Emphasize proper trajectory that would allow ball to fall into garbage can. This will emphasize proper arc of the pass.



"WALL DRILL"

WALL DRILL: Have the QB stand with back to a wall and extend the ball back so the back of his hand is touching the wall. This a great drill to "remind" the QB not to wind up, to keep the elbow high, and chest expanded. QB throws from this position.