Developing into a great quarterback is not just about having leadership ability and the guts to stare down the defense. There are a number of skills and abilities that the quarterback must develop to be competent in his job. Quarterbacks must have a strong arm and be agile and athletic enough to get away from pressure.
Dropback Drill
This drill teaches how to drop back in the pocket and set up before throwing the football. Take your first step back with your right foot -- for right-handers -- then drive your hip, shoulder and elbow back in the same direction. Left-handers should do the opposite. Keep going in the same manner until you have reached three, five or seven steps. Bring the ball up to right armpit level, holding the ball with both hands, and look over your left shoulder for your first open receiver.
Rollout Option
Stand behind center and take a five- or seven-step dropback, then push off with your left foot and sprint to your right. After two steps, you should be behind the right tackle. Start looking for an open receiver at this point. Keep on sprinting and either throw on the run or sprint to the sidelines, then turn it upfield and run. Decide to pass or run at full speed without hesitation or slowing down.
Accuracy Drill
On this drill, drop back five steps, then look to your left and throw to your wide receiver, who has run a square-out pattern to the sidelines. The receiver in the left slot runs 15 yards upfield and turns around and you throw to him as soon as he breaks. Follow this with a similar throw to a receiver running from the right slot, then send the wideout on the right on a 10-yard square out. Throw these passes without hesitation and repeat the drill at least four times to build consistency.
Deep Ball Drill
Hone your deep throwing skills by throwing four consecutive pass routes of 25, 30, 35 and 40 yards. Throw four times to live receivers -- not stationary targets -- on the left side of the field and four times to the right side of the field. Take a one-minute break and repeat the exercise.
References
- "Play Football the NFL Way"; Tom Bass; 1991
- "Inside the Helmet"; Peter King; 1993
- FootballDrills.com; Agilities
Member Comments