Quarterback

1
Quarterback Drills
2
Grip Drill

• Equipment football
• Objective Practice adjusting the hand to hold
  the football correctly.
• Directions Have the player drop the ball on the
  ground, and then have them quickly pick it up and
  grip the ball correctly with both hands. The
  coach will walk around and check hand positions
• Coaching Points Identify five things proper
  finger spacing, one to three fingers across the
  laces, thumb supplying leverage, forefinger rests
  at 45 degrees to the back point of the ball, and
  light between the palm and the ball

3
Grip Drill
COACH
Players line up in a semi-circle and drop the
ball in front of them. On coaches command, they
quickly pick up the ball and grip it with both
hands. The coach walks around to check grip.
4
QB Stance Line Drill

• Equipment cones every 3 yards, football
• Objective Evenly spread out QBs so coach can
  quickly walk around and check players stance.
• Directions Spread out cones every 3 yards along
  a line. Start out by demonstrating the
  attributes of a good QB stance. Then ask them to
  take position and hold, while the coach walks
  around and critiques performance. The coach
  will then say to relax, and the players can drop
  their hands. This is repeated many times.
• Coaching Points Check for these things Ball is
  chest high 1-3 inches from the breast bone,
  Elbows comfortably at your side, Shoulders always
  over hips, Push ball backward with front hand,
  Two hands on the ball and hold it like an egg,
  Keep back knee inside ankle, Chin over shoulder,
  Head and eyes up looking down field.

5
Line Drill
3 Yards
3 Yards
3 Yards
6
Fence Drill

• Equipment Chain-linked fence, football, partner
• Objective Learn to Keep ball above elbows and
  learn that the ball cannot extend beyond the back
  elbow.
• Directions Properly grip the ball and walk up
  to a fence. Place the front point of the ball
  into a link opening, roughly 2-3 above ear
  height. Square the body around and stand so that
  throwing arm is at 90 degrees. On command, step
  with front foot and throw the ball.
• Coaching Points Check for the following the
  body is perpendicular to the fence, the throwers
  big toe points directly at the target once he has
  thrown the ball, and the thrower ends up with
  100 of his weight on the front foot.

7
Fence Drill
Front Point of the Ball into the fence
Throw the ball forward
F E N C E
Step with front foot
8
Knee Drill

• Equipment Football and Partner
• Objective Improve the upper body motion of the
  passer.
• Directions Have the players line up facing one
  another about 10 yards apart. Have them both get
  down on their right knee. Get them into proper
  upper-body throwing stance. On coachs command,
  they should rotate their torso towards throwing
  arm, and follow through with a pass. Repeat
  10-12 times, and then have them switch to their
  left knee. Again, repeat the rotation of the
  torso and throw for 10-12 times. Finally, have
  them kneel on both knees and repeat the same
  steps.
• Coaching Points Things to watch the
  non-throwing shoulder should rotate 90 degrees,
  the front point of the ball should rotate 180
  degrees during torso rotation the ball should
  remain above elbows and shoulders, the ball
  should not extend beyond the back elbow (it
  should stay close to the back ear), the
  follow-through should be dramatic.

9
Knee Drill
Keep most of the ball inside back elbow
Keep ball above elbows and shoulders
Rotate 90 Degrees
Rotate 90 Degrees
Rotate 90 Degrees
Right knee down
Left knee down
Both knees down
10
Hitch Drill

• Equipment Football, Partner
• Objective Learn the Hitch step in the drop-back
  passing game.
• Directions Start in a passing stance with feet
  shoulder width apart. In a steady motion, take
  the front foot and step it back to within a
  couple inches of the back foot. Then, take the
  back foot and step it back about a foot. In
  continuous rhythm, step forward with the back
  foot that was just planted to within a couple
  inches of the front foot. Now, open up the front
  foot and step about 18 24. As the front foot
  is stepping forward, the front shoulder and hips
  should begin to open up. Once the front foot has
  completely landed, a full weight transfer must
  occur to throw the ball.
• Coaching Points things to watch start with a
  good stance and grip, take little steps to begin,
  dont rest on heels, keep it fluid, step towards
  target, dont open shoulders and hips too soon,
  and keep ball above elbows

11
Hitch Drill
Step One
Step Two
Step Three
Step Four
1st Step
2nd Step
4th Step
3rd Step
Starting Stance
Weight Transfer
12
Inside Triangle Drill

• Equipment Football, Running Back, 4 cones
• Objective Improve mesh during hand-off and
  consistency of footwork
• Directions Set 4 cones according to diagram on
  next page. Align the QBs toes at the base of
  Cone 1. Align the RBs heels at the base of Cone
  3. Get them into ready positions. On coachs
  command, the QB will take one step with near side
  leg at 5 or 7 Oclock depending upon the
  direction of the handoff. The RB will take one
  lateral step with near side foot, about 6 inches.
  Next, the coach will command to take step two,
  the QB will continue with other foot in the same
  5 or 7 Oclock direction. The RB will now take a
  step with back foot directly at Cone 2. Next,
  the coach will command step three. The QB will
  take the inside leg and re-direct it to 6 OClock
  and extend the ball with outside arm. The RB
  continues towards cone and opens up his arms to
  receive the handoff. On command four, the QB
  hands the ball off and takes another step at 6
  OClock. The RB continues on his same path. On
  command five, the QB rolls around Cone 3 and
  sprints around and through Cone 4.
• Coaching Points Things to watch start this
  drill very slowly. Take it one step at a time.
  On the first step, the QBs eyes and toes should
  be pointed in the same direction, and the QB
  should not be over extended with his step. The
  second step should square the QB around. The
  third step should initiate the handoff. And
  somwhere between the third and fourth step the
  hand-off should be made. The hand-off needs to
  take place delicately, yet deliberately. After
  the hand-off is made, the QB needs to re-direct
  the path and carry out the fake.

13
Inside Triangle Drill
Hand-off to the Left
Hand-off to the Right
1
1
5 Yards
1 Yard
QB
QB
Step 1
2.5 yards
2
2
Step 2
5 Yards
Step 3
4
4
Step 4
RB
RB
3
3
Step 5
14
Outside Triangle Drill

• Equipment Football, Running Back, 4 cones
• Objective Improve mesh during hand-off and
  consistency of footwork for the inside zone
  running play.
• Directions Set 4 cones according to diagram on
  next page. Align the QBs toes at the base of
  Cone 1. Align the RBs heels at the base of Cone
  3. Get them into ready positions. On coachs
  command, the QB will take one step with near side
  leg at 5 or 7 Oclock depending upon the
  direction of the handoff. The RB will take one
  lateral step with near side foot, about 6 inches.
  Next, the coach will command to take step two,
  the QB will continue with other foot in the same
  5 or 7 Oclock direction. The RB will now take a
  step with back foot directly at Cone 2. Next,
  the coach will command step three. The QB will
  take the inside leg and re-direct it to 6 OClock
  and extend the ball with outside arm. The RB
  continues towards cone and opens up his arms to
  receive the handoff. On command four, the QB
  hands the ball off and takes another step at 6
  OClock. The RB continues on his same path. On
  command five, the QB rolls around Cone 3 and
  sprints around and through Cone 4.
• Coaching Points Things to watch start this
  drill very slowly. Take it one step at a time.
  On the first step, the QBs eyes and toes should
  be pointed in the same direction, and the QB
  should not be over extended with his step. The
  second step should square the QB around. The
  third step should initiate the handoff. And
  somwhere between the third and fourth step the
  hand-off should be made. The hand-off needs to
  take place delicately, yet deliberately. After
  the hand-off is made, the QB needs to re-direct
  the path and carry out the fake.

15
Outside Triangle Drill
Hand-off to the Left
Hand-off to the Right
1
1
5 Yards
1.5 Yards
QB
QB
Step 1
2.5 yards
2
Step 2
5 Yards
Step 3
4
4
Step 4
RB
RB
3
3
Step 5
16
Drop Drill

• Equipment Football, cones or white lines marking
  every 10 yards up to 20 yards
• Objective to learn the First step, Crossover
  step and Lead step in the drop-back passing game
• Directions Start with the players in an
  under-the-center stance. Direct them to take
  their first step back with their throwing arm
  leg. This should be a big step. When moving the
  foot back, it should not lift off the ground more
  than 3. It will appear to drag across the
  grass. The back foot should land directly behind
  the front foot about two shoulder widths apart.
  When the foot lands, the players weight should
  be balanced with knees bent. At this point, the
  front foot should not have moved at all. On the
  second command, they must take their second step,
  or cross over step, by crossing over the position
  of the back foot by no more than 6. To do this,
  have them throw their front leg back by pumping
  the knee high when they step. While the second
  step is landing the third step, or lead step,
  initiates, and is taken by the the back leg at a
  distance that measures just wider than shoulder
  width. This process is repeated until they pass
  the cone or line that stops them. The distance
  from start to finish should vary between 10 20
  yards. Start slow and gradually pick up speed.
• Coaching Points Use this drill to critique not
  only the drop back foot work, but the under
  center stance and first step, as well. Once the
  stance and first step have been checked, initiate
  the the crossover and follow steps. The upper
  body of the player should remain facing sideways
  and still, while the hips do all the moving and
  turning. Really accentuate the front leg when it
  crosses over by pumping the knee high. Barely
  drag the back leg over the grass when stepping
  backward. Make sure the players move backward in
  a straight line.

17
Drop Drill
1st Step (First)
2nd Step (Crossover)
3rd Step (Lead)
Front leg lowers no more than 6 behind back leg
Continue backwards by dragging back leg slightly
over the grass
Big first step is taken with back leg
18
Still Drill

• Equipment Football, four players/coaches, cone
• Objective Practice throwing 3 and 5 step drops
• Directions Start with one player standing
  behind a cone holding an under-the-center stance.
  The coach should face the QB about 5 yards away.
  Align the other players/coaches so that two of
  them occupy both flat zones, and the other two
  occupy the two curl zones. On the QBs own
  cadence, have him work his 3 step drop first by
  dropping and throwing the ball to whichever
  person the coach points too. Repeat the same
  procedure for the 5 step drop. The coach can
  slow this drill down, and count out each of the
  steps, if need be.
• Coaching Points Start by checking the QBs
  stance. Once the ball has been snapped, first,
  check for a good First step, then good Crossover
  and Lead steps, and finally good Hitch steps.
  The QB should have his body under control when
  transitioning his weight during the Hitch step.
  His hips should be underneath his shoulders. The
  ball is held 1 3 from breast bone. Eyes
  forward. At this point critique the throwing
  mechanics. When throwing at the target, the big
  toe on the front foot and his chest should be
  pointed directly at the target. The ball should
  not drop below the elbows or extend beyond the
  back elbow. The follow through should have the
  player running directly at the target, as if
  there was a string on the ball. The ball should
  hit the chest of the target every time.

19
Still Drill
Curl zone
Curl zone
Coach
Flat zone
Flat zone
QB
3 Step
5 Step
20
Snap Drill

• Equipment center, football
• Objective practice center-quarterback exchange
• Directions First, position center with ball on
  the ground. The thumb of the center should cross
  the laces near the top of the ball. Next, take
  the QBs index finger of the throwing hand and
  position it in the crotch of the buttocks of the
  center. Without the other hand involved, have
  the center snap the ball to the QBs hand, so the
  center can understand where the ball needs to get
  too. The QB will not secure the ball. After a
  few reps of that, take the QBs non-throwing hand
  and place the major thumb knuckle of the
  non-throwing hand along side the thumb knuckle of
  the throwing hand and loosely hang it to the
  side. On cadence, the center should snap the
  ball to the top hand and the QB should seek and
  secure the ball with non-throwing hand and seat
  the ball. Repeat this many times.
• Coaching Points The QBs feet should be no
  wider than hips, his body comfortably bent at the
  knees and waist, shoulders slightly over hips,
  index finger of the throwing hand positioned in
  the crotch of the buttocks. Dont let the butt
  of the non-throwing hand meet the butt of the
  throwing hand. They should only touch at the
  thumbs. When the QB secures the ball, he should
  pull his hands and the ball towards stomach.

21
Snap Drill
Hand position snapping
Ball secure snapping
Use only throwing hand
Seek and secure ball and pull it in towards
stomach
Pre-snap Stance
Shoulders slightly over hips
Slight bend at waist
Slight bend in the knees
Feet no wider than hips
22
Cage Drill

• Equipment center, football
• Objective practice center-quarterback exchange
  when center is moving
• Directions Position center with ball on the
  ground. The thumb of the center should cross the
  laces near the top of the ball. Next, take the
  QBs index finger of the throwing hand and
  position it in the crotch of the buttocks of the
  center. Take the QBs non-throwing hand and
  place the major thumb knuckle of the non-throwing
  hand along side the thumb knuckle of the throwing
  hand and loosely hang it to the side. On
  cadence, the center should snap the ball to the
  top hand, and take a 6 step to the right. The
  QB should seek and secure the ball with
  non-throwing hand and seat the ball while opening
  up to the right side to 180 degrees. Repeat this
  to the left.
• Coaching Points the QB should keep his hand in
  the crotch of the center until the ball is
  secured, even if the center is moving all over
  the place. The hand cannot come loose from the
  buttocks. Once the ball is secured, the QB must
  seat the ball and pivot on the opposite foot at
  180 degrees. During the turn the QB can extend
  the ball backwards.

23
Cage Drill
180 Degree Turn
6 step by the center
Pivot Foot
24
Sneak Drill

• Equipment center, football
• Objective practice center-quarterback exchange
  for the QB sneak play
• Directions Position center with ball on the
  ground. The thumb of the center should cross the
  laces near the top of the ball. Next, take the
  QBs index finger of the throwing hand and
  position it in the crotch of the buttocks of the
  center. Take the QBs non-throwing hand and
  place the major thumb knuckle of the non-throwing
  hand along side the thumb knuckle of the throwing
  hand and loosely hang it to the side. On
  cadence, the center should snap the ball to the
  top hand, and step forward with the playside
  foot. The center should continue forward for a
  few steps. The QB should seek and secure the
  ball with non-throwing hand. After securing the
  ball, the QB should tuck the ball with his
  throwing arm, take a short drop step with his
  opposite foot and follow the center, remembering
  to keep his shoulders low.
• Coaching Points Secure the ball first. Both
  the center and the QB need to keep their
  shoulders down. The QBs drop step must remain
  quick and short. The distance between the hips
  of center and the QB should never exceed 1 foot.

25
Sneak Drill
26
Arch Drill

• Equipment Ball, Partner and 2 lines 10 yards
  apart, and 50 yards long
• Objective Improve roll out passing skills
• Directions Start with two guys 10 yards apart.
  They should be standing on two lines that run
  parallel with each other, and facing down the
  line. Only one man has a ball. Have the man
  with the ball get into a passing stance. Next,
  have both men start jogging slowly. The man with
  the ball will jog for 3 yards and start an arch
  away from the other man. His arch will reach a
  maximum arch of 5 yards. As the arch starts to
  return towards the line, the man will rotate his
  torso and throw the ball to his partner when he
  reaches the line. The thrower resumes jogging on
  the line, and the pattern is repeated with the
  other man on the other line.
• Coaching Points Things to watch the thrower
  should have the ball in throwing position during
  the arch, the throwers shoulders and hips need
  to be pointed straight at the receiver when
  approaching the line to throw, the non-throwing
  shoulder should rotate 90 degrees, the front
  point of the ball should rotate 180 degrees
  during torso rotation, the ball should remain
  above elbows and shoulders, the ball should not
  extend beyond the back elbow, the follow-through
  should be dramatic.

27
Arch Drill
10 Yards
Ball starts here