Before I get into the quarterback position, it is a must to delve into the
wide receiver position.
A quarterback will have from 2 to 5 options on every given play. Everyone
knows that a quarterback has his go to receiver and he is usually primary option
number 1. That option isn't necessarily the fastest receiver or the one with the
best hands. It is most often the one that runs the cleanest route.
Does he run the route at the exact same speed? Does he round off the route or
flow through cleanly. Does he recognize the soft part of the coverage by
thinking of where the quarterback will see the opening?
It is all about timing with your target. Marvin Harrison is the standard. How
often do you see Peyton Manning looking left, he turns his body and fires to the
right side hitting Harrison coming across on the quick slant seemingly with no
more than a glance. All of this happens within 3-4 seconds.
It doesn't take longer because Peyton knows exactly where Marvin is going to
be. Marvin runs that middle slant at the same speed every time. He is running to
a certain spot on that pattern every single time. This allows the trust to
develop between quarterback and receiver.
Now to set up that slant over the middle Peyton is looking down the middle of
the field and will then give a look left to pull the safety to that side of the
field. He will roll his shoulder just a bit to sell it or he will use the pump
fake but it forces the safety to take that step to the left and when he does
make the throw the safety does not have time to change momentum and recover.
So while the quarterback is dropping back into his 5 step, he may be
eyeballing the receiver wide left but that receiver is not the primary option.
If the safety stays put, the quarterback has scanned the middle and looked
left, so options to that left side and middle are know a known commodity. If
nothing is open to that side and the safety has stayed at home, the quarterback
then looks for the quick dump down option. This is often the tight end or
running back.
If they are covered the ball should be sailed out of bounds.
Now to get through the progression and throw several things must have
occurred.
The quarterback must make an intelligent pre-snap read. He has to figure out
what package the defense is in and where the blitz is coming from. He must also
look at who his receivers are matched up against. Do they have a slow linebacker
in 1 on 1 coverage, against the tight end? Is coverage loaded to one side?
This is where the audible comes into play. Recognize the defense and make the
right adjustment. Deep cover 2, throw underneath and allow the receiver to make
the run after catch. Wide zone, the middle is open. Man coverage with 7 or 8 in
the box and you take your chance deep with the one on one coverage.
To get from that initial pre-snap read to the throw is also a process. The
quarterback must make his final decision as he is dropping back whether it is
the quick 3 step drop or the slower 5 and 7 step drops.
Once his back foot plants he should be ready to make his decision on where
the ball is going. If he hasn't then he is dependent upon the line to give him
added time to make the read and throw.
Making the throw is pure mechanics for most quarterbacks. There are the free
lancers that seem to be able to will the ball to the receiver but those are
rare.
First is getting the right grip on the football. This is why you see the
quarterback before a game practicing just holding the football out to his side.
As the quarterback drops back, you like to see the ball in high at the top of
his numbers. His head should be squared to his shoulder and his eyes focused
down the middle of the field. His forearms should be loose against his sides but
not wide of his body. Holding the ball low at the waist is a strip of the ball
waiting to happen and it also adds another half second to the throwing motion.
Drawing the ball back should be the top half of a circle. While cocking the
wrist gives the quarterback the zip on the ball. You like to see the ball come
back just past the ear with the elbow at a 90 degree angle. The quarterback's
elbow should be almost like a gun site aimed at the intended target. Palm should
be out and thumb low.
As he uncoils his throw, the ball should be release at the top of the
throwing motion. Too early and the ball sails. Too late and it hits the dirt.
The follow through should carry through from shoulder to shoulder.
Feet are just as important as the upper body when throwing the ball
successfully. Feet are like the eyes they should be moving and adjusting. The
accuracy comes from the front foot. Just like the elbow, the front toe should be
a site to the receiver. The back foot is your power and follow through.
The hips should be open and not tight. The knees should have a slight bend
and not locked. Locked knees will lead to injury. This is the process that
allows the weight transfer from the back foot to the front foot as the pass is
being made.