Post by Coach Campbell on Aug 23, 2013 10:22:16 GMT
Drops, Pocket & Throwing Mechanics
Timing is everything, and it can be your biggest ally as a quarterback. When you can execute your mechanics without wasted movement, the defense has less time to react and make a play. Your mechanics can make all the difference in your level of play. Right now, we are going to elevate your level of play by improving your mechanics for of common drops, pocket movement, and passing.
"In...football the margin for error is so small. I mean one half step too late or to early you don't quite make it. One half second too slow or too fast and you don't quite catch it. The inches we need are everywhere around us. They are in every break of the game, every minute, every second." — Al Pacino, Any Given Sunday
Drop Mechanics
Five Step Drop from Under Center
It is important for you to gain depth with your first three steps. Whichever hand you throw with, push off your opposite foot and make your first step with same foot as your throwing arm. If you are right-handed, push to gain ground off your left foot and step with your right. If you are left-handed, do the exact opposite. The key point is to gain ground with your first three steps. Your second step should be a lengthy cross over step with your opposite foot, followed by another long third step. As you drop back, use a backward body lean to gain speed. Use the arms back and forth (staying within your body frame) to gain momentum while gaining depth from the line of scrimmage. These steps should be as quick and long as possible to help you clear the offensive line, and gain your needed separation from the defense. Make the drop in a straight line with your shoulders faintly open to the line of scrimmage. Your last two steps need to be shorter steps to recover balance. This will help you place your body in good throwing position. Try to limit hand motion during this phase to help yourself gather. Your drop should end roughly 7 yards from line of scrimmage, directly behind the center. If you have time after your 5th step, you can take a hitch step to generate momentum in your throwing direction.
Three Step Drop
The three step drop is very similar to the five step drop. The only difference is minus two of the big steps. The first step should again gain ground away from the line of scrimmage, and the last two steps are gather steps. If you are a right-handed quarterback throwing to the right, the second step should close your left shoulder. This will allow your third step to land in a position under your right shoulder. From here, you can to throw ball on the third step without needing a gather step. When you are throwing to the left, on your second step, push your left shoulder open to the target. Finish with your third step landing in position under your right shoulder. From here you can throw ball on the third step without needing a gather step.
Shotgun Quick Throw
You can use this technique when a three step route is called but you are in the shotgun. After catching the snap, flip to the appropriate position. When you are throwing left, your feet should already be in position to throw the ball. When throwing right, snap both your feet around to get into a good throwing position.
Play Fake
An effective play fake can largely aid your offense. Play fakes hold the backside defenders and draws a pass rush. In order to fake effectively, pull your hands back into your stomach as if the ball is there. This keeps your hands hidden and actions without the ball consistent.
There are three common types of fakes for you to work on. One, a naked away from play. In this case put your hand farthest from the back into his stomach, get your feet under control and carry out your naked fake away from call. Two, naked to the play. This has the same mechanics as "naked away" except you continue out of the pocket to play side. Three, a pass fake. To do this, drop straight back from the hand off, get your eyes down field, and put both your hands in a good throwing position.
Angle Drop
When your are executing an angle drop, start by openning to the play side at an angle. Your focal point should be to use your first three steps for speed and depth, and your last two steps to regain balance. While doing this, turn your shoulders square with hips and sprint back at the angle. Finish with good throwing posture, which we will discuss soon. When you are dropping to your left, the only difference is your transition into your fifth step. To do this effectively, turn your left shoulder towards upfield and "pop" around the fifth step. This allows you to finish the drop in good throwing posture. If a play action is called, sell the fake by extending both hands with ball away from body. Return the ball to the stomach as the running back crosses by your body.
Naked and Boot
In order for you to setup a successful naked or boot, you need to use the same footwork you use for the run play and the boot. The only difference is your one hand fake you give to the running back. As you approach the running back, begin to take shorter steps to maintain your body control and extend one hand with the ball. Quickly bring the ball back to your body just before the runner reaches the ball. From here, quickly get your head around to see the "Naked" path. Try not to make your drop more than 10 yards for the line of scrimmage. A long drop will make it a longer throw or run and gives the defense more time to react. When you are running naked and boot from shotgun, use same footwork as run play called. As you approach the back, "ride" the ball across the frame of of the running back's body with both your hands.
Sprint Out
To gain enough depth, open just past a 45 degree angle. Turn your head and shoulders so they are square with your body and sprint back. As you begin to approach six yards of depth begin to round off your path. This will allow you to break contain more sharply. Finish up by rounding off your depth at 8 or 10 yards and begin to sprint toward the target. During the whole process, keep the ball at your chest with both your hands on it.
Lead Draw Pass Footwork
Take a three step drop with your eyes down field. Then turn your head and shoulders to the running back and make a quick two-handed fake to the running back. Finish by taking two gather steps.
Pocket Mechanics
Holding the Football
It is good to hold the ball in a secure position immediately after the snap. The best way to do this is use both of your hands to hold the ball two inches away from your throwing pectoral. Grip the ball how you most feel comfortable, but make sure some space exists between the palm and ball. This will allow you to deliver the ball more accurately. When you go to throw, adjust the ball and bring it up.
Posture
Try to stand as upright as possible without locking your knees. To do this, be up on the balls of your feet with the feet under your armpits. Also, keep your back straight and hips tall. This will allow you a clearer vision downfield and allow you a higher release point.
Positioning Feet
Positioning your feet is as every bit as important as positioning your arm. The momentum your legs generate into a throw is significant. For this reason, it is important to position your feet in a way that allows you to quickly access and use this power. On the last step of your drop, plant your back foot and position your front foot so your toes are pointed up field. Your pointed toes makes it easier for you to open your hips towards your throwing target. Keep your feet directly under the armpits. This puts you in the best position to quickly re-adjust your feet in order to throw to a new target or escape pressure. When you have to move within the pocket, move the back foot first. This allows you to transfer your weight forward into the throw, delivering a more accurate and timely ball. Make sure you work to maintain good posture while making movements, this enables you to be in good position to throw the football.
Throwing Mechanics
Delivery
If you are right handed, slightly position your left foot left of the receiver. This will allow your arm to come through on the target. If you are left handed, it is the exact opposite. When you go to throw, push off your back foot to generate forward momentum. As you do this, rotate your hips and shoulders together forward. During this process, rotate your arm and ball back away from the body. Keep your power generating forward, first with your legs, hips, lat muscle, shoulder, and finally your arm rotates forward as one tight unit generating power to release the ball. As you come forward, begin to transfer you weight to the front foot as you throw the ball. Your elbow should lead your hand as ball is rotated forward. As the ball releases the hand, flick the ball off the index finger. As if you are flicking something sticky off your finger. this will tighten up the spiral.
Follow Through
Once your primary throwing motion is done, it important to follow through. This will give you the extra speed and distance you need to complete the pass. Pretend you are throwing through receiver, not to him. After releasing the ball off the index finger, your throwing hand comes across your body naturally with power and should end up on your opposite hip. To help with the transfer of weight, end up in a balanced position with a slight bend in your front leg. At this point, your feet should end up just past shoulder width apart and your back foot should briefly drag on the ground after delivery. The brief drag can help indicate whether or not you are transferring your weight forward into the throw.
Mechanics Recap
Whatever level you are playing at, your role is one of the most visible and essential roles on the team. You handle the ball on virtually every play and have a great deal of responsibility both in calling plays and making decisions during the play. In order to make these decision easier, you must make an investment in the area of your mechanics. When you practice proper mechanics, the mechanics become second nature. When the mechanics are second nature, you save time. When you save time, you create opportunities to make big plays. We both know practicing mechanics can be very repetitious, but the players that consistently prepare themselves to work hard every day become the cream of the crop. The elite quarterbacks, from Joe Montana to Peyton Manning, have perfected this development process. Now it's your turn.
Timing is everything, and it can be your biggest ally as a quarterback. When you can execute your mechanics without wasted movement, the defense has less time to react and make a play. Your mechanics can make all the difference in your level of play. Right now, we are going to elevate your level of play by improving your mechanics for of common drops, pocket movement, and passing.
"In...football the margin for error is so small. I mean one half step too late or to early you don't quite make it. One half second too slow or too fast and you don't quite catch it. The inches we need are everywhere around us. They are in every break of the game, every minute, every second." — Al Pacino, Any Given Sunday
Drop Mechanics
Five Step Drop from Under Center
It is important for you to gain depth with your first three steps. Whichever hand you throw with, push off your opposite foot and make your first step with same foot as your throwing arm. If you are right-handed, push to gain ground off your left foot and step with your right. If you are left-handed, do the exact opposite. The key point is to gain ground with your first three steps. Your second step should be a lengthy cross over step with your opposite foot, followed by another long third step. As you drop back, use a backward body lean to gain speed. Use the arms back and forth (staying within your body frame) to gain momentum while gaining depth from the line of scrimmage. These steps should be as quick and long as possible to help you clear the offensive line, and gain your needed separation from the defense. Make the drop in a straight line with your shoulders faintly open to the line of scrimmage. Your last two steps need to be shorter steps to recover balance. This will help you place your body in good throwing position. Try to limit hand motion during this phase to help yourself gather. Your drop should end roughly 7 yards from line of scrimmage, directly behind the center. If you have time after your 5th step, you can take a hitch step to generate momentum in your throwing direction.
Three Step Drop
The three step drop is very similar to the five step drop. The only difference is minus two of the big steps. The first step should again gain ground away from the line of scrimmage, and the last two steps are gather steps. If you are a right-handed quarterback throwing to the right, the second step should close your left shoulder. This will allow your third step to land in a position under your right shoulder. From here, you can to throw ball on the third step without needing a gather step. When you are throwing to the left, on your second step, push your left shoulder open to the target. Finish with your third step landing in position under your right shoulder. From here you can throw ball on the third step without needing a gather step.
Shotgun Quick Throw
You can use this technique when a three step route is called but you are in the shotgun. After catching the snap, flip to the appropriate position. When you are throwing left, your feet should already be in position to throw the ball. When throwing right, snap both your feet around to get into a good throwing position.
Play Fake
An effective play fake can largely aid your offense. Play fakes hold the backside defenders and draws a pass rush. In order to fake effectively, pull your hands back into your stomach as if the ball is there. This keeps your hands hidden and actions without the ball consistent.
There are three common types of fakes for you to work on. One, a naked away from play. In this case put your hand farthest from the back into his stomach, get your feet under control and carry out your naked fake away from call. Two, naked to the play. This has the same mechanics as "naked away" except you continue out of the pocket to play side. Three, a pass fake. To do this, drop straight back from the hand off, get your eyes down field, and put both your hands in a good throwing position.
Angle Drop
When your are executing an angle drop, start by openning to the play side at an angle. Your focal point should be to use your first three steps for speed and depth, and your last two steps to regain balance. While doing this, turn your shoulders square with hips and sprint back at the angle. Finish with good throwing posture, which we will discuss soon. When you are dropping to your left, the only difference is your transition into your fifth step. To do this effectively, turn your left shoulder towards upfield and "pop" around the fifth step. This allows you to finish the drop in good throwing posture. If a play action is called, sell the fake by extending both hands with ball away from body. Return the ball to the stomach as the running back crosses by your body.
Naked and Boot
In order for you to setup a successful naked or boot, you need to use the same footwork you use for the run play and the boot. The only difference is your one hand fake you give to the running back. As you approach the running back, begin to take shorter steps to maintain your body control and extend one hand with the ball. Quickly bring the ball back to your body just before the runner reaches the ball. From here, quickly get your head around to see the "Naked" path. Try not to make your drop more than 10 yards for the line of scrimmage. A long drop will make it a longer throw or run and gives the defense more time to react. When you are running naked and boot from shotgun, use same footwork as run play called. As you approach the back, "ride" the ball across the frame of of the running back's body with both your hands.
Sprint Out
To gain enough depth, open just past a 45 degree angle. Turn your head and shoulders so they are square with your body and sprint back. As you begin to approach six yards of depth begin to round off your path. This will allow you to break contain more sharply. Finish up by rounding off your depth at 8 or 10 yards and begin to sprint toward the target. During the whole process, keep the ball at your chest with both your hands on it.
Lead Draw Pass Footwork
Take a three step drop with your eyes down field. Then turn your head and shoulders to the running back and make a quick two-handed fake to the running back. Finish by taking two gather steps.
Pocket Mechanics
Holding the Football
It is good to hold the ball in a secure position immediately after the snap. The best way to do this is use both of your hands to hold the ball two inches away from your throwing pectoral. Grip the ball how you most feel comfortable, but make sure some space exists between the palm and ball. This will allow you to deliver the ball more accurately. When you go to throw, adjust the ball and bring it up.
Posture
Try to stand as upright as possible without locking your knees. To do this, be up on the balls of your feet with the feet under your armpits. Also, keep your back straight and hips tall. This will allow you a clearer vision downfield and allow you a higher release point.
Positioning Feet
Positioning your feet is as every bit as important as positioning your arm. The momentum your legs generate into a throw is significant. For this reason, it is important to position your feet in a way that allows you to quickly access and use this power. On the last step of your drop, plant your back foot and position your front foot so your toes are pointed up field. Your pointed toes makes it easier for you to open your hips towards your throwing target. Keep your feet directly under the armpits. This puts you in the best position to quickly re-adjust your feet in order to throw to a new target or escape pressure. When you have to move within the pocket, move the back foot first. This allows you to transfer your weight forward into the throw, delivering a more accurate and timely ball. Make sure you work to maintain good posture while making movements, this enables you to be in good position to throw the football.
Throwing Mechanics
Delivery
If you are right handed, slightly position your left foot left of the receiver. This will allow your arm to come through on the target. If you are left handed, it is the exact opposite. When you go to throw, push off your back foot to generate forward momentum. As you do this, rotate your hips and shoulders together forward. During this process, rotate your arm and ball back away from the body. Keep your power generating forward, first with your legs, hips, lat muscle, shoulder, and finally your arm rotates forward as one tight unit generating power to release the ball. As you come forward, begin to transfer you weight to the front foot as you throw the ball. Your elbow should lead your hand as ball is rotated forward. As the ball releases the hand, flick the ball off the index finger. As if you are flicking something sticky off your finger. this will tighten up the spiral.
Follow Through
Once your primary throwing motion is done, it important to follow through. This will give you the extra speed and distance you need to complete the pass. Pretend you are throwing through receiver, not to him. After releasing the ball off the index finger, your throwing hand comes across your body naturally with power and should end up on your opposite hip. To help with the transfer of weight, end up in a balanced position with a slight bend in your front leg. At this point, your feet should end up just past shoulder width apart and your back foot should briefly drag on the ground after delivery. The brief drag can help indicate whether or not you are transferring your weight forward into the throw.
Mechanics Recap
Whatever level you are playing at, your role is one of the most visible and essential roles on the team. You handle the ball on virtually every play and have a great deal of responsibility both in calling plays and making decisions during the play. In order to make these decision easier, you must make an investment in the area of your mechanics. When you practice proper mechanics, the mechanics become second nature. When the mechanics are second nature, you save time. When you save time, you create opportunities to make big plays. We both know practicing mechanics can be very repetitious, but the players that consistently prepare themselves to work hard every day become the cream of the crop. The elite quarterbacks, from Joe Montana to Peyton Manning, have perfected this development process. Now it's your turn.
