Do You Step Forward With Your Right Foot When Throwing The Football With Your Right Hand?

Quarterbacks often have the responsibility of carrying their football team's offense on their shoulders. In addition to leadership, quarterbacks must throw the ball with accuracy, authority and velocity. Throwing the ball well on a consistent basis takes excellent form and that includes the proper footwork.

Ideal Throwing Conditions

When the quarterback gets the ball after taking the snap from center, he usually will drop back three, five or seven steps. As he is dropping back, he is surveying the field and looking for an open receiver. As he prepares to deliver the ball, he steps up two steps to avoid the pass rush. This is called stepping into the pocket. Then the right-handed quarterback steps toward the target with his left foot, throws the ball to the receiver and follows through with his right foot.

Pressure

As the quarterback drops back, the opponent is trying to upset his timing and rhythm with its pass rush. If the defensive line or a blitzing linebacker is putting pressure on the quarterback, he has to move to get away from that pressure. Sprinting out of the pocket will make it difficult to use the proper throwing form. If he cleanly gets away from traffic, he will be able to square his body to the target, step forward with his left foot and deliver the ball. However, that might be impossible. He might have to throw leading with his right foot to avoid the sack.

Rollout Right

When the play calls for the passer to roll to his right before throwing the ball, he will be on the run as he lets go of the ball. In most cases with this throw, he will be throwing toward the right side of the field. When he gets past the outside shoulder of the right tackle and is running at full speed, the throw usually will be made with the right foot stepping forward. This throw normally has significant velocity that will prevent the defensive back from making a play on a short- or medium-range pass.

Rollout Left

This is one of the most difficult passes for a right-handed quarterback to make. This almost always means that he is throwing in the same direction as he is running. If the throw does go back to the middle or the right side of the field, the quarterback will have to stop running and turn in the opposite direction. University of Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson told the Janesville Gazette that staying focused on the target is essential. “The main thing with moving out of the pocket is to keep your eyes downfield, know where guys are going to be and play smart,” Wilson said.