QB Guidelines to Implement

1. STRENGTHEN THE CORE: Consistent, hard throws have as much to do with a quarterback’s core as with his arm. It is so important to get your core strong because you do so much twisting and rotating when you’re throwing. Work on it three times a week … concentrating on the quarterback’s abdominals, oblique, hip flexors and lower back. A powerful core is especially helpful when you’re being chased. Your technique somewhat goes out the window when you’re on the run. Anytime you throw on the run … you’re using your hips, abs and back. In addition, you can use the torque and twist of your body to help give you a couple extra yards. Having a strong core definitely helps you get more velocity on the ball. Furthermore, it gives the quarterback a “stronger twist” when avoiding tackles. It also helps the QB to get away from potential tacklers. There is nothing that a quarterback does where the abdominals do not come into play. A quarterback can improve the explosive strength of these muscles by combining their regular lifting routines with the medicine or weighted balls with throws, rotations and abdominal work. It’s important to have it all. It’s very important to include the obliques, which are the sides of the abdomen.

2. FOOTWORK: Quarterback related footwork drills which improve foot speed, quickness and decisiveness are essential for quarterbacks. Likewise, they improve reaction time and reduce false-stepping. Footwork is the foundation of a solid drop and any movement within the pocket, escaping or sprinting outside to throw. Always remember … any movement prior to the throw is part of the throw.

3. OF GREAT CONSEQUENCE: Even if the quarterback is quick, fast and strong-armed … he must still master a very important element in quarterbacking. That is … when to move up in the pocket, when to hang tough and when to run. Many quarterbacks think they have to just sit there and read one-two-three-four. They can’t do that! The game is to fast! They have to look at one and two, and then start moving on three, and by the time they get to four … they’re running. They still might throw … but, they will throw on the run.

4. RECOGNIZE FLIGHT PROBLEMS & KNOW THE SOLUTIONS: You must be able to self-correct. One of the most common glitches of improperly trained quarterbacks is to drop the elbow of the throwing arm. At one point, prior to the ball coming forward ... both shoulders and the throwing elbow are on the same plane. Stay focused and monitor yourself during individual technique sessions to keep the elbow above the shoulder through the release of the football.

5. PRACTICE ACCURACY: Working on accuracy should be your number one goal with every throw. Always warm-up through proper technique … never throw just to throw. Regardless of whether you’re working proper technique as you warm-up or throwing the long ball … always strive for a specific target. Make the most of drills that test and improve your accuracy for all types of throws.

6. EYES LEVEL & HEAD STEADY: No doubt that looking the defender off prior to the throw is very important but, once you’ve located your man … spotlight on your target, keep your head steady, your eyes level and make the throw.

7. EXPLODE AWAY FROM THE CENTER: Your first step from the center on any of your drops is always the longest and most explosive. Practice your various drops, including play action and screens with the same quickness and speed as you will experience in game conditions.

8. MASTER CONTROL OF THE FOOTBALL: Quarterbacks must master control of the football by practicing dexterity drills to overcome something bad happening. Among the worst things a quarterback can do is fumble the ball causing an unnecessary turn-over. So often, Quarterback coaches work on feet agility drills … but, overlook hand agility drills.

9. WARM-UP GRADUALLY: Reduce your risk for injury by warming the shoulder with slow control movement including circular motion to facilitate the production of joint fluid and increasing the rotator cuff’s range of motion. Extend your arm straight out from the shoulder to the side … and, rotate it forward and backward in tight circles for a few seconds each way. Then, increase to medium-sized circles for a few seconds as well. Finish up by extending your arm into large & reaching circles. The rotator cuff is the supporting and strengthening structure of the shoulder joint. The shoulder, in addition to the elbow joint … are extremely susceptible to injury when the quarterback doesn’t warm-up gradually. Warming up your body is one thing … warming up your arm is another. Take care of your arm … and, “warm up like an older man” is what I have forever told my quarterbacks.

10. ROUTINE: Many Quarterbacks just do not know “what to practice” on their own. They must practice a routine that includes “disciplined” footwork drills, dexterity drills and throwing drills.