Building a Better DW Quarterback

1
Building a Better DW Quarterback
1) Choosing a DW QB 2) DW QB Coaching
Strategies
2
Some basic assumptions

• You are coaching a DW football team

• You run at least these 8 basic plays
• 1- Power (Toss) 2- Trap
• 3- Counter 4- Sweep (Lead, Buck, Jet)
• 5- Wedge 6- G (Belly)
• 6- PA Pass (Toss action) 8- Straight Drop Back
  Pass

• You have a limited number of available ball
  carrying athletes, whatever that number isAND
  you have an even smaller number of exceptional
  ball carrying athletes.

• You have limited available practice time .

3
Defining the position
What is a DW Quarterbacks job?

• Understand the offense not just his position.
• Play calling system- Know what those numbers and
  words mean.
• Adjustments- Know how to apply them.
• Key assignments on every play- Know who is doing
  what.

• Handle the football securely and effectively
• Footwork / Posture/ Hand-eye coordination / Ball
  Control / Deception

• Execute his assignments
• Run effectively when called on to do so
• Pass effectively when called on to do so
• Block effectively when called on to do so

• Communicate effectively with team mates.
• Have the respect of his team- Players will follow
  someone they respect.
• Command their attention- Be heard above the
  crowd.

4
Defining the position
A DW Quarterbacks job description might read
something like this
DW QB- Intelligent, quick thinking, and agile
athlete. Must enjoy, and be willing to employ,
extreme physical contact. Arm strength and
throwing skills highly desirable. Must have
exceptional leadership and communication skills.
Must also have the ability to self-manage under
pressure. Exceptional size and/or 4.4 speed a
big plus. Experience preferred.
You probably wont ever find a kid who
naturally displays all of these attributes.
.But you can find kids who have some or even
many of them.
5
Choosing a DW QB
While these skills are universally desirable for
DW QBs, we should also remember that different
coaches will have different needs from their QBs.

• Know which QB skills/talents are most important
  to you as the coach. --- Do yourself a favor and
  write them down.

• Know which of these QB skills you will be able
  to teach and which ones you wont.---Write these
  down too.
• Usually because of insufficient available time
  or logistics there will be something that we
  cant or wont be able to teach as coaches.
• In terms of the QB position- For me these are
  usually arm strength, and general
  coordinationthe rest I can usually teach in the
  time I have available.

6
Choosing a DW QB
So I know what abilities Im looking forand
which of these I can and cant teachnow what?

• Compare your list of most desirable QB
  qualities with your list of QB skills that you
  wont be able to teachDo any of the entries
  match?

• NO -
• Congratulations! You are one helluva good coach!
  Stop here and put any kid you want at QB. -)

• YES -
• You now have a great starting point for figuring
  out which kids to consider for QB
• The kids who display some natural ability in the
  areas you wont have time or capability to teach
  are probably your best bets to consider for the
  DW quarterback position.

7
Choosing a DW QB
Why?
If you have a limited pool of ball carrier type
athletes, and an even smaller pool of gifted
athletes, the odds are that the kids who would
make the best QBs are also the kids who make your
best WBs and FBsMost DW coaches will prefer to
have their top kids at WB and FB positions. In
fact, some of us prefer our TEs to be just as
good of athletes as our WBs and FBs
Consider this -- When I look to fill out the
starting ball carriers in my offense (FB, QB,
WBx2, TEx2), I usually rank them something like
this 1- FB
1- FB 2- A Back
(Left Wing) 2-
A Back (Left Wing) 3- C Back (Right Wing)
-OR- 3- C Back (Right Wing) 4-
QB
4- TE 5 6- TEs
5- QB/TE

6- TE/QB
As you can see, my best 3 or 4 athletes are
usually used in other positions. This invariably
leads to a shortage of top athletes available for
the QB position.
8
Choosing a DW QB
Which usually means Ill be teaching one of my
average kids how to be a QB Hopefully a great
QB.
But its much harder to develop a great QB out of
an average athlete than it is to develop one out
of an excellent athleteAnd it really doesnt
help if my average kid lacks skills in areas I
wont have the logistics to teach.
So of my average kids, the ones who display some
natural ability in the skills I consider most
important and have the most difficulty teaching
are the ones that will show the most development
as a QB in my system.
For me this usually means my QBs are athletes
that are smart and physically coordinated. They
have decent arm strength , but dont always throw
the best passes. They are usually slow or
shortor both.
9
Choosing a DW QB
A few things to consider

• DW quarterbacks are often slightly different
  types of athletes than their I or Spread
  formation counterparts. This is not because the
  system requires it, its because the system
  allows for it.

• The DW can be very successful with just an
  average athlete at QB-- So long as he has some
  physical durability, some smarts, can throw the
  ball a little, and can move on his feet.

• In the DW, the quarterback is part of a 4-back
  offense. Not looking at him as such is an
  unnecessary limitation on yourself. Its easy to
  get stuck thinking that your QB is a handoff
  machine who will occasionally throw a passbut in
  this offense there are many, many simple ways to
  involve him. Our unusual use of the QB is one
  of the things that separates from the other
  offenses out there.

10
Choosing a DW QB
ltDISCLAIMERgt
None of this should be mistaken as an assumption
that there is no benefit to having a top athlete
at QB or that a DW coach should never seek to
have the best possible player at the QB
position. On the contrary, if you have enough top
athletes available, by all means play one at QB.
This is simply an acknowledgement that in many
cases you wont have a whole posse of stud
athletes, nor will you be able to recruit your
perfect QB.In these cases there are ways to
maximize what you can do with the athletes you
have.
11
Choosing a DW QB
In terms of the raw ability and physical and
mental characteristics of the players I like to
use at QB, I usually look for the these
My General Rules of Thumb when considering
athletes for the QB position
1- Rarely will I place my top athlete at
QB(unless I have an abundance of them) 2- Taller
is betterbut height never trumps ability. 3-
Speed isnt necessarybut its good to have. 4-
Coordination is necessary. 5- Arm strength is
great, but arm accuracy is greater. 6- Hitting is
not optional. Finesse quarterbacks need not
apply. 7- Brains are not optional. If you cant
think on your toes, you cant play QB. 8-
Attitude is everything. They MUST be coachable
kids.
12
QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Ball Handling Improving the
QBs Passing Game
Ball Security / Footwork / Deception / Pitch
Mechanics
13
QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Ball Handling
Ball Security
Job 1 for the QB on every single play is to
secure the football! There is no more important
element of his execution than this. Without the
ball, we go nowhere.
A QB who manages to successfully secure every
snap is automatically a good ball handlerbut
it takes more than that to be a great ball
handler.
To be a great ball handler in the DW- The QB
must combine ball security with good footwork,
agility, posture, timing, and deception.
14
QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Ball Handling
Ball Security Begins with the snap
Pre-Practice Snaps. This really is a
MUST. Prior to the start of every practice your
QBs and Cs should get together and perform at
least 50 snaps. 25 with a QB pivot to the right,
and 25 with a pivot to the left. Every QB and C
you have should go through this. If possible,
have a coach (preferably you) stand in pitch
relationship with the QB and receive a pitch
after every snap. Watch their execution from the
start of the cadence to end of the pivot.
15
QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Ball Handling
Ball Security

• Common errors to look for in snap
  mechanics. These often lead to muffed snaps so
  try to eliminate them.
• QB not placing his hands firmly against the Cs
  butt.
• QB allowing his hands to separate when the ball
  contacts them (this one happens a lot to younger
  players)
• C lifting his butt too far as he delivers the
  snap.
• Poor timing between QB and C. (late/early snap)
• QB crowding the C

The is no better way to correct these problems
than the copious use of pre-practice snaps. You,
your QBs, and your Cs should all get in the habit
of arriving a little bit early to practice.
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QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Ball Handling
Ball Security
Maximize Your Opportunities-
Use every individual or group drill and play
repetition which would normally begin with the QB
receiving a snap as an opportunity to practice
snap mechanics. Never have your QB start from a
ball in hand position. Whenever possible, have
a coach snap the ball to him from a kneeling
position to begin the rep.
We also need to remember that the QB is part of a
4 Back offense and therefore needs all of the
same ball security practice that you would put
your WBs and FBs throughIn addition to the afore
mentioned snap practice routines. Drills such
as Handoff Lines, the Squeeze Drill, and The
Strip Drill are just as beneficial to QBs as
they are to WBs FBs.
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QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Ball Handling
Footwork More than being able to run
Good footwork requires balance and agility
combined with solid pivot mechanics. A QB can be
slow but still have good feet. I will always
work to develop a QBs footwork before his speed.
Footwork / Balance Agility Balance and agility
are things I like to work on during team warm up
sessions This saves precious practice time for
individual or backfield practice sessions later.
If a kid needs more agility work than can be
delivered in this format, I usually wont
consider him for QB.
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QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Ball Handling
Footwork / Balance Agility
My preferred way to build agility and
coordination is through the use of simple drills
that require no special equipment, can be done
quickly and easily, and get excellent results
with regular use. I like to open practice
sessions with this set
Line Hops- Done on one foot. Right Left then
with both feet. (10 reps ea.) Run Lines-
Carioca, Side Shuffle, Backpedal, Hammer
Hops Controlled Lunges- Back straight, big
strides, alternate legs, easy pace, hands on
hips. Forwards then backwards. Trippers- Run
lines. Players start in a backpedal, rotate to a
run when the whistle blows, then back to a
backpedal it blows againthen back again, etc.
etc.
19
QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Ball Handling
Footwork / Pivot Mechanics Pivot mechanics play a
big role in the QBs footwork since 90 of our
plays begin with a full or half pivot.
Standard Stance- Balanced stance, feet slightly
wider than shoulders, toes pointed in (pigeon
toed). Backside foot steps to 4 oclock, pivot on
the toes/ball of the play side foot. Alternate
Stance- Unbalanced stance, feet slightly wider
than shoulders, back side foot staggered back
slightly. Backside foot jab steps to 4 oclock,
pivot on the toes/ball of the play side foot.
Regardless of which stance you use, the backside
foot always steps and the play side foot is
always the pivot foot. Most of his weight should
be pre-loaded on the toes of his play side foot
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QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Ball Handling
Footwork / Pivot Mechanics In general, the
faster the pivot the better the play. You can
shave time off of the pivot with few simple
coaching points

• -The body always follows the eyes so get the head
  around to the desired path or ball carrier
  immediately following the snap.
• R-e-a-c-h for that stepInsist on getting the
  backside foot all the way around to 4 oclock.
• Pigeon toed stances make the pivot easier and
  faster.
• Pre load the body weight on the play side
  (pivot) foot.
• Align as far as possible from the C. Extend the
  arms into snap position.

ltPivot Mech clips heregt
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QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Ball Handling
Footwork / Posture
Posture has a lot to do with how good or bad a
QBs footwork is. Posture impacts the QBs
ability to conceal the ball, to pivot, and to
move with balance. Posture has an impact on
nearly every aspect of the QBs job.
Knees Bent, Back Straight, Elbows in, Eyes Up-
Thats the mantra in terms of QB posture. I look
for this form in all functions except perhaps the
acts of throwing or scrambling.
For me, posture is difficult to drill. I
usually need one-on-one time with the QB to teach
it. I use pre practice snap sessions to work
through the specifics of maintaining correct
posture during the snap and pivot.
Individual position practice sessions are the
best place to work on proper posture when
executing various play actions. If individual
practice time is not available to you, backfield
practice sessions (skellies) are probably the
next best thing.
ltPosture clips heregt
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QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Ball Handling
Deception
Deception and ball concealment are significant
parts of our game. To that end, QB posture
combined with ball handling play a key role in
our ability to deceive the defense.
Anytime the QB is not handing or passing the
football, I want it securely seatedThe ball
should be held against the groin, point down,
elbows in. This allows the QB the greatest
opportunity to conceal the ball while still being
able to deliver it (hand, pitch, pass) quickly.
In fact, I often want the QB keep his hands in
this position even if he doesnt have the ball.
Seating the ball is a simple and almost automatic
function if you can teach the correct posture
to your QB. When the elbows are pulled in and the
knees bend, the ball naturally moves to the
seated position.
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QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Ball Handling
Deception
Although the QB plays a large role in how we
deceive defenses, he rarely performs actual ball
fakes. Most of the faking will be performed by
the other running backs.
Keeping the ball out of the defenses sight is
the QBs primary goal in terms of deception.
Faking with it only shows them where the ball is.
If you ever do need to have your QB perform an
actual play action fake, have him either perform
a simple shoulder dip -or- an empty hand
fakeBut in either case, he should strive to keep
the ball seated and maintain posture.
ltDeception clips heregt
24
QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Ball Handling
Pitch Mechanics
Good pitch mechanics are an obvious requirement
for the DW QB. Its important that he deliver a
consistent and catchable pitch every time. Pitch
mechanics impact the ability to maintain good
posture, the ability to exercise good ball
security, the ability to deceive the defense, and
the overall timing of the Power play.
25
QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Ball Handling
Pitch Mechanics
A good pitch always starts with the ball in the
seated position. IMPORTANT- I spend a lot of time
stressing the need to keep the elbows in against
the sides of the body during the pivot and pitch.
This provides certain benefits

• Pitches are much more controlled. Its hard to
  pitch it too high or too hard when your arms are
  locked against your side.
• Its easier to maintain good posture during the
  pivot.
• The QBs opening becomes more consistent looking
  from play to play which improves our deception.

26
QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Ball Handling
Pitch Mechanics
Teaching proper pitch mechanics

• Belt Em- Use an old football pants belt to wrap
  around your QBs arms and torso. This should
  strap his elbows into his sides. The object is to
  force his pitches to come from about waist level.
• -Have him perform several pitches to you from a
  stationary position.
• Set him in snap position with a ball in hand.
  Have him pivot towards you and deliver a pitch.
• Tip The object here is to have him simply let
  go of the ball during his pivot using a minimum
  of force from his arms to propel the ball. The
  momentum from the pivot should be sufficient to
  deliver a controlled pitch.

27
QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Ball Handling
Pitch Mechanics
Teaching proper pitch mechanics

• Seat, Pivot, and Pitch- Set him in snap
  position to receive a snap from a kneeling coach.
  
• Have him take the snap, seat the ball, and pivot
  towards you but do not deliver a pitch, just keep
  the ball seated.

- Once he has that mastered - - Have him
perform the same operation. This time tell him to
let his momentum deliver the ball from the seated
position to you in a controlled pitch.Rinse and
repeat as necessary.
ltPitch Mech clips heregt
28
QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Ball Handling- Ball Security /
Footwork / Deception / Pitch Mechanics Improving
the QBs Passing Game Keeping it Real / Accuracy
/ The Supporting Cast / Play Structure / Drills
29
QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Passing Game
Keeping It Real

• Teach a passing game that accommodates as many
  of your teams strengthsand just as importantly
  their weaknessas possible.

• Be dogged in your application of a limited
  passing playbook. Play design and repetition are
  the keys to a DWs passing success, not play
  volume or diversity.

• Like the DWs running game, its passing game is
  most effective when methodically applied. Know
  what your cues for passing are and apply them in
  game situations.

• Pass practice must be considered every bit as
  important as run practice. If you spend 10
  minutes a day perfecting the Power play, you
  ought to be spending 10 minutes a day perfecting
  your best pass play also.

30
QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Passing Game
Keeping It Real

• Keep it age appropriate. Dont try to teach 4
  receiver reads, or how to recognize inverted C2
  to a 12 year old QB. Inversely, these are things
  one would expect from a HS or College DW QB.

• Hands! Hands! Hands! IMO- Its much easier to
  find a kid who can pass consistently than it is
  to find a kid who can catch consistently. Find
  and develop the kids who can catch early in the
  season and focus on their development as
  receivers.

• Its usually better to design a pass that
  consistently gets one kid open than it is to
  design a pass that sometimes gets two kids open.
  The younger the players, the more this is true.
  Youth QBs dont often successfully cycle through
  2 or 3 downfield receivers so if 1 aint open,
  teach them to run.

31
QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Passing Game
Accuracy
The ability to dependably throw the ball to a
spot where the receiver can catch it.
Generally, I try to develop my QBs accuracy
before his arm strength. My goal is to have him
consistently throw passes on target in the 0 - 25
yard range. (Less for young kids, more for older
kids)
I take three basic approaches to accomplishing
this. 1- Play/Route choice and design. 2-
Landmark passing 3- Focused use of drills and
skellies that primarily emphasize the routes we
will be throwing to in games.
32
QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Passing Game
Accuracy
Play / Route choice and design
Every QB has some routes that he throws well and
some that he doesnt. For example- Short QBs
sometimes have difficulty seeing over the
offensive line. Which means they can have
problems seeing receivers that cross the middle
of the defense.That makes it harder to throw
Post, Seam, and Square In type routes.
The solution (for me) is to use routes that work
the edges of the defense (Corner, Out, Fade, Fly,
etc.) and to have the QB work from the edge of
the pocket using a semi or full roll out whenever
possible.
The problems and solutions may be different for
you, but the basic concept is the same. Design
the plays and routes you use around what your QB
does wellDont add more plays, tweak the ones
you have.
33
QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Passing Game
Accuracy
Play / Route choice and design
There are many ways to run the play action pass
off of the Power action.
The best choice is always the one that uses the
routes that your QB throws the best. If my QB
is a big athlete with a good arm, I might run it
with some kind of middle Post/Smash route. If he
throws accurately but not very far, I might use a
lot of rub routes. If hes really slow I may use
only semi roll outsyou get the picture.
34
QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Passing Game
Accuracy
Landmark Passing
When I speak of landmark passing Im simply
referring to the way I teach my QBs and receivers
to use defensive targets to determine the
proper route spacing or throwing lane. Using
landmarks simplifies the QBs job and improves
our odds of getting receivers open.
On most of the passes I use, I teach my QBs to
throw to a spot as opposed to the
receiverAlways aiming ahead of the receiver and
to his outside or up field shoulder depending on
the route. This target area is the QBs passing
landmark.
I want my receivers to be able to run to these
passes. The object is not to throw 30 yard laser
shots to the receivers, it is to throw passes
into spots that only our receiver can get to.
Whenever possible, I have my receivers use a
similar method of landmarking the defense to
determine their route spacing and aiming points.
35
QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Passing Game
Accuracy
Landmark Passing- QB
On any pass that is going away from the QB
(Corner, Post, Seam, Fade, Deep Out, Fly, etc)
the pass is delivered to a spot ahead of, and to
the outside or up field shoulder of the receiver
allowing him to run to the ball.
ltQB Landmark clips heregt
36
QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Passing Game
Accuracy
Landmark Passing- Receivers
Receivers will often use defensive landmarks
also.
Example When running Corner routes, I will
frequently tell my WBs and TEs to split the
distance between the CB and the deepest man on
their side of the field, then arc their route
through that midpoint.
37
QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Passing Game
Accuracy
Landmark Passing- Receivers
Sometimes I will also landmark the defensive
players themselves. Good examples of this is when
I use rub routes, or when Im trying to occupy a
defender with one man in order to get a specific
other man open behind him.
ltLandmark Receiver clips heregt
38
QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Passing Game
Accuracy
Some closing thoughts on improving a QBs accuracy
Focus your pass practice (receiver lines,
pat-n-go, etc.) on the routes you will be using
in gamesIt is a waste of time to practice
completing Post and Drag routes if your
circumstances prevent you from using them in
games.
Try not to add more pass plays to your playbook
in order to accommodate what any given QB can do.
Instead, tweak your existing plays to suit the
abilities of your athleteJust like in our
running game, less is better.
Receivers!! - These kids can make a QB look great
or awful. Receivers have a lot to do with how
accurate your QB is. The better you coach your
receivers, the better your QB will be.
39
QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Passing Game
The Supporting Cast
Good play from the QB is completely dependant on
good play from his team mates.
Lineman that block poorly, receivers that dont
concentrate, and coaches who make stupid
decisionsThese are the things that lead to a lot
of sacks, picks, and muffed exchanges that could
have otherwise been avoided.
Therefore it follows that if we expect our QB to
perform, we must expect everyone around him to
perform to perform as well.
40
QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Passing Game
The Supporting Cast
Offensive Line
Proper O-Line technique is a huge topic that is
well outside the scope of this presentation but
it does merit a certain amount of discussion due
to its effect on the QBs game.
IMO- The offensive line is the single biggest
factor in determining the success or failure of
your passing game. The greatest QB in the world
cant throw the ball (or even hand it off) if he
has defenders draped all over him.
My suggestion is always to use a minimum of pass
protection schemes. I personally use just 2 pass
protection schemes for 95 of my pass plays.
41
QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Passing Game
The Supporting Cast
Offensive Line

• There are at least two pass blocking schemes out
  there that mesh perfectly with the DWs play
  action based passing game.
• Hinge or Moving Pocket protection
• Bootleg protection

Every DW coach should find a way to employ at
least one of these.
42
QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Passing Game
The Supporting Cast
Offensive Line / Hinge Blocking
Play side blocks Gap-On-Reach. Back side hinges
back- Each man gets progressively deeper.
Everyone works their man toward the backside of
the play. Backside TE is responsible for backside
EMLOS. WB or FB is responsible for play side
EMLOS.
43
QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Passing Game
The Supporting Cast
Offensive Line / Bootleg Blocking
Play side TE release if assigned a route, block
down if not. Play side T blocks down. Play side G
pulls deep to play side for the EMLOS. Back side
hinges back- Everyone works their man toward the
backside of the play. Backside TE is responsible
for backside EMLOS.
44
QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Passing Game
The Supporting Cast
Receivers
As I mentioned earlier. Ive always found it more
difficult to find good receivers than good QBs
Its hard to teach a kid with terrible hands to
catch a ball with consistency.
For these reasons I focus intensely on finding
kids who can catch as early as possible in the
pre-season. I never wait until Im ready to
install my first pass play to start looking for
(and teaching) my receivers.
Fortunately, it usually turns out that our best
runners are some of our best receivers too. If we
can find 2 or 3 other kids that can be developed,
well have a pretty good foundation for a
receiver corps.
45
QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Passing Game
The Supporting Cast
Receivers
You can usually expect to find a couple of kids
with naturally good hands. Then theres usually
another 6 or 7 or so that have average hands and
might develop into good receivers. From all of
these kids I usually select the best 6 or 8 kids.
These kids are the ones I will focus my receiver
practice time on.
46
QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Passing Game
The Supporting Cast
Coaching
If our expectation is that the QB perform to the
requirements of our offense, then its our job to
create the circumstances that will allow him to
do so. Adapt your system to meet the abilities of
your QB rather than having him adapt his
abilities to your system.
Every one of us has made a stupid coaching
decision beforeevery one of us will make more of
them in the future. The trick is recognizing when
you made one then trying not to make it again.

• Be Prepared
• Know what it is you want to do.
• Know how you want to do it
• Know what it is that needs to be fixed when it
  doesnt work.
• FILM IS YOUR BEST FRIENDIt sees every mistake,
  and reveals every bad decision. Use it and
  learn from it.

47
QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Passing Game
Play Structure
Pass plays should be structured so that your QB
has the highest possible chance of throwing a
pass with little or no defensive pressure to a
receiver that is open downfield.thats the goal
anyway.
When putting together a new play or tweaking an
existing one, I try to stick to a certain set of
self imposed limitations. If later I discover
that my athletes are capable of performing above
those limitations, I can adjust them upwards
then. Build confidence firstget fancy later.
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QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Passing Game
Drills
49
QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Passing Game
Drill
Landmark Passing
This helps teach my QBs to be consistent with
their ball placement.
Have your QB stand 5 yards behind an imaginary
LOS. Tell him to throw the ball as far as he can
from there at a 45 angle. Mark the spot where
the ball first lands. Repeat this with a throw
straight up field. These are his max
distances. Now- Move those markers 15 yards
closer and have him throw until he can can land
several consecutive balls (you pick the ) within
a 1 yard radius of the markers. Then move it 5
yards back and repeat the exercise. Repeat until
you have reached a distance that is 5 yards less
than his original max throw.
X
Initial (max) distance
X
2nd Test Distance
X
X
1st Test Distance
X
QB
50
QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Passing Game
Drill
Pass Reaction
This is not a route reading drill. It is for
teaching decisive reactions and quick delivery

• -A QB and 2 receivers align on the LOS. Receivers
  are numbered 1 and 2
• -QB is assigned a play action (5 step drop, semi
  or full roll out).
• -Each receiver is given a different route.
• -2nd QB or coach kneels opposite the QB to
  deliver a snap
• -On cadence, all three execute their assignment.
• Just prior to the QB completing his play action
  (1 or 2 steps remaining) the coach calls out the
  route he wants the ball thrown to.
• The QB should plant, set and deliver the ball to
  the designated receiver.

coach
QB
Rec 1
Rec 2
51
QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Passing Game
Drill
Handoff lines
A simple and classic old drill. Just as
beneficial to QBs as it is to running backs.
-2 single file lines of ball carriers face each
other, offset by 1 yard and about 5 yards
apart. - The first runner in each line jogs
toward the opposite line. One carries a
football. -The two runners perform a handoff at
the midpoint between the two lines. -As soon as
the handoff occurs the lead runner in the line
facing the man with the ball takes off. -The
exchange is repeated and the cycle begins again.
X
X
52
QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Passing Game
Drill
Passing Lines
Nothing beats repetition for teaching a QB how to
complete any given pass.

• -1 single file line of receivers with a QB on the
  LOS. Coach or 2nd QB kneels opposite to deliver
  the snap.
• - On the QBs cadence the first receiver in the
  line runs the designated route.
• - QB takes the snap, executes the correct drop,
  and delivers the ball
• -Have two QBs alternate throwing and snapping.
• This focused time for just the routes youll be
  using in your game.

coach
QB
53
QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Passing Game
Drill
Hot box
A great quick release and timing drill. Great for
QBs and receivers alike.
-1 single file line of 5 or 6 receivers spaced
about 2 yards apart - 2 QBs facing the receivers
and 10 yards away. Each has a ball. - The QBs
randomly alternate who they throw to, never
throwing to the same guy two times in a
row. -Once a receiver has caught a ball he must
immediately deliver it right back to one of the
QBs. -Keep this at a brisk pace.
QB
QB
54
QB Coaching Strategies
Improving the QBs Passing Game
Drill
55
Building a Better DW Quarterback
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