Quarterback Fundamentals and Techniques

QB Development

Develop the student athlete

• “You will only be as good as what your players know”

• You must Develop your players

Requirements to Look For a QB

• Leadership - Take’s charge and set’s the tempo. Accountability.

• Self Discipline - Willing to put in the extra time, and be a
perfectionist, willing to pay the price.
• Knowledge - Understanding of the game, and the offensive scheme.
• Have Fun - Winning is fun, and is the reason why you play the
game.
• Confidence. Show people you are good, don’t tell them.

QB and Coach Relationship

• This relationship must be one of mutual trust and confidence. This

is developed through hard work, respect for one another and
COMMUNICATION.

Making Corrections in the Techniques

• Only correct one or two problems at a time. If the coach tries to

make wholesale changes in the technique of his QB—there is a
good chance the player will walk away confused and will not have
learned a thing.

QB Fundamentals
Huddle Discipline
• QB is in Charge.
 • Look Players in the eye.
• Speak clearly and distinctly
• Make sure the huddle is broken well (Don’t allow lazy breaks)

Twilight Zone (6 seconds)

• Do the same thing every play
• Scan from Left to Right
• Scan from Right to Left
• Go through the “What if” list

Hands Under Center

• First thing to do at the L.O.S.
• “Sets” the defense
• Prevents disguise
• Simulates going on first sound

Stance (Stagger)
• Feet shoulder width apart or less, stagger. Heel to Toe
• A stance that is to wide will result in false stepping.
• Knees slightly bent
• Back straight, head high
• Thumbs together –hinge
• Bury the wrist
• Firm pressure on the Center’s rear

Cadence
• Command respect with voice
• Number…Color…. Set. Go
• Non-rhythmic at times
• Voice inflection at times

C-QB Exchange
• Give and Go – give with arms, go with feet
• No false step
• Mental Weight on push off foot
• Elbows tight to body
• Ball to third hand

Ball Handling
• Work from crouched position
• “See” the ball to the RB
• Look it all the way into the pocket
• Quarterback’s responsibility completely
• “Play the Guitar” – Don’t Flap the wings
• Continue on with Play- Pass fake
 QB Passing Mechanics
Grip
• “Long” finger and Thumb opposite
• Fingertip control
• See some daylight
• Spread fingers as wide as comfortable
• Lighten grip on wet ball

Pre-Passing Position
• Eyes focused on small target
• Left shoulder facing target
• Ball 4 inches in front of sternum
• Feet underneath the body
• Back foot perpendicular
• Knees slightly bent

Push
• Push ball back and up with the left hand
• Cock the left shoulder and hips
• Short stride with left leg
• Land on ball of the left foot – not the heel

Pull
• Pull through with the left arm
• Tuck the bent left arm down by the side
• Right elbow lead
• Right elbow higher than the shoulder
• Crack the whip

Release
• Ball released high
• Transfer weight to front foot
• Thumb down – Screwball action
• Inside of index finger last to leave the ball

Follow Through
• Eyes remained focused on small target
• Right shoulder facing target
• Grab Dollar out of opposite pocket
 Drop backs
General comments:
• Big first step in getting away from the center is a must
• Attempt to get back as deep and as fast as possible
• Work arms with the ball in sternum area
• Keep chin on the shoulder to see downfield

Quick (3 Step)
• Predetermine which side to pass
• 1st step – Big
• 2nd step – Crossover
• 3rd step – Cheat step at 45 degrees if going right/ bucket step at 45 degrees if going left
• Rhythm is vital: 1 - - 2 – 3 - Pass

Drop (5 or 7 Step)
• Sprint back with chin on shoulder
• First three steps must be big
• Final two steps must be under control
• Dip up-field shoulder to gather
• Hitch technique on inside routes
• Pivot technique on outside routes
• Stand tall in the pocket

Half-Roll
• Big first step at 45 degrees in the direction of pass
• Set behind play side tackle
• Bounce to throw when going left

Sprint
• Big first step at 45 degrees in the direction of pass
• Break contain
• Get wide to let pass routes develop
SHOTGUN STANCE

Our quarterback will sit with his heals at five yards

Feet shoulder width apart staggered
(Right Handed Qb’s= Left foot slightly ahead of right , right toe should be at the instep of
left foot.
(Left Handed Qb’s= Right foot slightly ahead of Left, left toe should be at the instep of
right foot.

Knees have a slight bend in the, but relaxed.

Hips and shoulders pointing directly down field
Hands are in a ready position, like a short stop waiting for a groundball.
Eyes will scan defense until cadence starts, then focus on the snap from the center.
Passing from Shotgun

In the shotgun spread offense we like to use different types of drops ranging from quick
drops for our quick game, 5 step for our deep vertical passing game, drops for our screen
game.

Quick Drop (1 or 2 Step Drop): This is our drop used to deliver the football quick and on
time for bubble and uncovered concepts, as well as quick passing game.

*Note: Quick game is our three step passing package out of shotgun that is comparable to
a shortstop turning a double play. The ball needs to be out of his hands quickly.

Throwing left:
Quarterback will cross the right foot behind the left foot. This allows us to cheat towards
the way we are throwing. This allows quarterbacks to keep momentum constant instead
of throwing from a dead flat footed position. This also prevents throwing off the back
foot.

Throwing Right:
Quarterback receives football and loads the football in a throwing position; the top tip of
the football should be no higher than the throwing arm shoulder.

Right foot plants, left foot will aim at the point of reception, and the feet will remain
chopping until we are ready to take that six inch timing step and deliver the football.

5 STEP PASSING GAME

In the gun offense our 5 step-passing drop is more like a true three step drop where we
will cross over and get away from the center.

5 step primary read is left: Back Pedal Straight Back

Quarterback has determined his defensive read player is to the left, on the snap of the
football he will influence that read player opposite from where he wants to throw.

On the catch of the football the quarterback will backpedal out, this allows more time for
the quarterback to see the defense and his read player.

As the quarterback backpedals straight back he will step right, left, right and on the third
step with his right foot he will cross behind and anchor.

“Bounce” Technique

Our passes are executed purely on timing. If the pass pattern has not totally developed, the QB can
“Bounce” on his toes in place. By doing this, it will allow receivers to run an additional 2 ½ yards to get
open. Even while passing during warm-ups, we want the Quarterbacks to bounce before the pass to
simulate letting the pass pattern develop.
 * Decision – Accuracy – Finish *
1. Make A Great Decision

-Select the proper receiver in which to pass

2. Make an Accurate Pass

-Give the receiver a very catch able ball

3. Finish the Job

-Complete both of the previous two jobs

*It does no good to make a great decision and to make a poor pass; conversely, it
does no good to make an accurate pass if you have forced it into a covered
receiver.

-You must finish the job. Decision and Accuracy