QB footwork for option, mesh point, and the pitch route

I will do my best to explain the Midline footwork to you because that is the footwork I worked on mostly with my Qb. 1st the feet. I tell him to push off of the play side foot untill he is facing parallel the LOS. "Push away to get away" you don't want him in the fb's path. THe fb dives straight up the butt of the center. the qb reaches the ball back as far as he can and rides the fb, who has a nice open pocket, and is moving wiht his face looking up, as not to clutch the ball, which is the tendency when they look at the ball. the qb makes his decision to give or pull by the time the fb reaches his front hip, anything after this may result in a fumble. the qb on a give will slide the back hand out and pressure the ball with the front hand to let the back know he is getting it. the qb then replaces the 2 or 3 tec by stepping with his backside foot immidiately after the ride, into the hole.
hope this helps some.

Eliminate all riding necessity by "pointing " the ball. QB takes shallow escape step (6 0 clock) gathers, and drives DOWNHILL AT HIS READ MAN FOLLWING SURGING OFFENSIVE LINE! IF DIVE IS THERE, AT POA, HE SIMPLY LETS FB CLOSE ON IT AND RUNS HIS PATH. IF NOT, HE PULLS IT BEFORE FB EVER TOUCHES BALL AND IS DOWN HILL TO HIS NEXT READ. I do not teach QB to proceed down the LOS (parallel) because if penetration occurs, his path becomes bubbled and he widens out away from his read man who now can give him a fuzzy look with no problem. But, with a surging offensive line down hill, the QB can attack his read in a down hill posture also. THIS IS CRITICAL TO THE SUCCESS OF THE ISV AND OSV.
I got this point method from Carson Newman, and as an ex-QB all I could visulize was constant fumbles on the HS level. But, much to my delight that was not the case at all! That was 1987 and I have never looked back, and have never used the cumbersome method of having your head on your read while reaching back to the dive back which is uncomfortable to say the least, ever again. Not to take issue with anyone who utilizes the "ride and decide" technique, just wanting to share that I found a much better way a long time ago. When attacking his read in a downhill posture, QB maintains ball in front of his chest with 2 pressure points at all times on the ball (both hands). As he approaches his read and makes his decision to give, he simply thrusts the ball right into the hole as FB closes down on it. If it is a pull, he utilizes the same exact steps but pulls the "pointed" ball before FB touches the ball and proceeds in a down hill posture to his next read.
Much, much easier than the ride technique. The first three years we went to this method, we were 33-3
and reduced fumbles on the mesh by very close to 100%!!! I would never consider doing it any other way.

Coach Easton