The passing game in football serves an important role in the success of the offense. The ability to effectively throw the football can manage the game clock and confuse the defense. To be effective, the quarterback and receivers need to be comfortable with each other. Passing and receiving drills can improve the passing game and overall football success.
Function
Passing and receiving drills are designed to refine skills and mechanics. For quarterbacks, passing drills provide an opportunity to focus on the mechanics of dropping back in the pocket, avoiding pressure from a rushing defense, throwing accuracy and mechanics. Receiving drills give the receivers an opportunity to practice running various pass routes, making cuts and catching the football with the hands instead of the body.
Benefits
Passing and receiving drills will give the quarterback and receivers time to work together on the timing of patterns. This will increases the comfort level between the two players as they learn each other's strengths and weaknesses. For example, a quarterback will learn how an individual receiver runs a specific route, and the receiver will feel comfortable with how the quarterback will throw the ball on that pattern.
Time Frame
Passing and receiving drills should be practiced year-round to maintain skills and mechanics. A specific focus on timing and mechanics should occur during the pre-season, about six to eight weeks before the first game. Spend the in-season maintaining the timing and skills, and the off-season refining skills and working on weaknesses.
Sample Drill
The two-minute drill is a great passing and receiving drill to improve the efficiency of the passing game. Start at one goal line and go the length of the field in under two minutes. Each time a receiver catches a pass, the ball is spotted at that yard line. Have the quarterback call an initial play from the huddle. Once the receiver catches the pass, spot the ball at that yard line and have the quarterback signal another play to the receivers. Continue calling plays and moving down the field until a receiver catches a pass in the end-zone.
Considerations
Take into consideration a team's strengths and weaknesses when designing passing and receiving drills. Spend an equal amount of time working on strengths and weaknesses. This will make the team well-rounded and improve the chances for success. For example, if a team has trouble completing long passes of over 20 yards, spend 50 percent of the drills working on effectively completing passes over 20 yards.
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