Effective quarterback play requires much more than a strong arm. A quarterback must have touch, accuracy, a quick release, arm strength and a sense for the pass rush. A top-level passer is required to make several different types of throws to be good at his job. Staying calm under pressure will help you make all of these throws effectively.
Bullet Pass
The bullet pass is a hard, flat pass thrown by the quarterback to the receiver who is 10 to 20 yards away. It is thrown hard to make it difficult for defensive backs to move to the ball and deflect or intercept it. When the receiver is running a crossing pattern over the middle, the ball should be thrown so that the the receiver catches it in stride. When the receiver is running a comeback or hook pattern, it should be thrown within the frame of his body.
Deep Pass
A deep pass, often called a bomb, is a high-arching pass that is designed to have the receiver run underneath it and catch it with his arms extended. This pass takes arm strength, accuracy and touch. The quarterback launches the ball so it remains high and gets over the head of the defensive back who may be in front of the receiver. The quarterback can't be short with this pass or the defensive back will have a great chance to intercept it.
Touch Pass
A screen pass is an example of a touch pass thrown by the quarterback. The touch pass does not require arm strength, but it must be an accurate throw that the running back or receiver can easily secure so he can run downfield. On a screen pass, offensive linemen will allow the defensive linemen to get into the backfield and the quarterback will throw a touch pass over the pass rusher's outstretched hands so it gets to the receiver while he is in stride. Strong-armed quarterbacks may have to work on this soft toss quite a bit in practice.
Lateral Pass
A lateral pass is one that is thrown parallel or backwards. It is often used to set up a deep pass that is thrown by a player besides the quarterback. If the running back or receiver is going to throw the deep pass, the quarterback must make sure the ball he throws to them has no forward motion because it is illegal to throw two forward passes on the same play. The lateral may be a touch pass, but it can also be a hard pass if there is significant distance between the quarterback and the individual catching the ball.
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