Quarterback is the most important position in football. While no player can win a game on his own, a quarterback who can throw the ball accurately, find open receivers, diagnose weaknesses in the defense and knows when to throw the ball away will keep his team competitive in many games. The position requires athletic talent, preparation and a fearless attitude that allows him to take physical punishment and still deliver a pass to his receivers.
Step 1
Throw the ball accurately to your receivers. Quarterbacks such as Joe Montana, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Tom Brady have risen to the top of the class not because they can throw the ball with great velocity for 60 or 70 yards. They became accurate passers who could hit their receivers in stride as they ran to open spots on the field. To throw the ball more accurately, throw 10 square-out passes to your receivers running 15-yard outs after practice. Throw 10 to your left, throw 10 to your right and throw 10 square-in passes. Do this every day after practice in order to become a sharper passer.
Step 2
Get away from the pass rush. As you drop back into an area called the pocket--5 to 8 yards behind the line of scrimmage and located between the tackles--you will look for open receivers. If none of your receivers break open quickly, you might have to hold on to the ball and allow them the opportunity to get free. As you are doing this, the opposing pass rushers are coming after you. You either have to see or sense where the pass rush is coming from so you can avoid the sack. When you know the pass rush is about to take you down, either throw the ball away or scramble out of trouble.
Step 3
Watch films of your upcoming opponents to see the pass coverage techniques of opposing defensive backs. You want to see which of your opponents is strong and which are vulnerable. Studying film will help you do this before the game is played. Film is available at the high school level and beyond.
Step 4
Call the correct plays in the huddle and at the line of scrimmage. Your coaches might give you the play to call when you are in the huddle, but they might also give you a choice of plays and you make the decision. That's because you are on the field playing against the opponent. Constantly reassess the opposing defense and come up with the plays that will have the most impact against them.
Step 5
Play with a sense of confidence and swagger. Your teammates will take their cues from your attitude, tone of voice and body language. If you don't believe in yourself and what you are doing, neither will they.
Member Comments