Quarterback Mechanics and Fundementals: A Look into The Science
Section 1: Grip
The first thing I'm going to cover in this article is gripping the football which traditionally is the first thing taught to a young player first learning the position. Firstly, when gripping the football your thumb and middle finger need to be opposite to each other. Secondly you need to squeeze those two fingers together to get your core grip on the football. Thirdly, There is a pocket at the bottom of every football, don't palm the football as that will cause the football to come out of your hand awkwardly and create a fluttery football​. fourthly, The rest of your fingers are laid out across the laces, your index finger will lay behind your middle finger.
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Section 2: Starting point & Stance
Now for this section I will cover what a Quarterback starting point and stance should look like for a primary shotgun offense. The first part of the starting point is the simplest and it is have an even stance under shotgun. This is very important because you can control your steps easier when your feet are even. If you don't have your feet even you will create stagger in your feet which can very easily mess up the run game out of shotgun. The second part of the stance at starting point is, flex your hips, knees, and ankles, then have a big chest, meaning show your numbers to the defense, while in this position under shotgun you also want your thumbs pointing up. The next part for this stance is keep your feet shoulder width apart, make sure it is comfortable as well as pliable and have your chest forward as if you are carrying someone on your back. At this point under center, you are no longer a Quarterback, you are a shortstop, you need to be able to scout out bad snaps and be prepared to catch them as if you are a shortstop.
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Now lets talk about if you run both under center and shotgun offense. If a Quarterback is being coached to stagger their feet in shotgun (I would recommend against) they absolutely must stagger their feet under center as well as it's hard to be consistent with your footwork when you have to manage 2 forms of footwork. The same can also be said if a Quarterback is coached not to stagger their feet out of shotgun.
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Lets talk about staggering footwork and if you're using it how it should properly be employed. To begin with this stance you want to start with your passing foot forward, and your backfoot be toe to instep.
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Now I will explain under center snap callers, you will want to put your hands up with your thumbs attached to each other and every finger up you then want to slide your passing hand by one knuckle. To properly receive the snap with your passing hand push your bottom hand, that is how you properly receive a snap
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Section 3: Carrying the Football
While this may sound very basic there is technique to holding a football and tons of nuance to it as well. The first step in properly holding a football is with your passing hand make a fist, then you take your other hand and wrap it around the passing hand, then take your elbows and squeeze them as tight to the hip as you can, then let go of the squeeze, this is how and where you know to carry the football. You also want to ball a bit closer to the back number. It should like like you are trying to hit a line drive through a hole in a defense. The technique us demonstrated by Brad Paulson in this picture
Now for the lower body aspect of the carrying mechanics. You want to start with your back foot under your hip, stand tall with power angles, and have hip flexion. At this point, don't close off your front foot, stand with your feet parallel, and slightly open your hips. Now at this point you can see the backside rush and the backside angles. At this point you also don't have to move your body anywhere to throw to the backside.
What I have said in this section so far is also a key component in learning proper position to throw.
Looking at the image displayed to the right, you notice any commonalities? Tight elbows but let go as they are not squeezing the ball fully. Ball to the back shoulder, a bit higher or lower does not matter.
Section 4: Launch Position/throw
The first part of launch position is the launch point. Now I want to ask what letter does launch start with? It starts with an L which is the shape your arm should make. One of the keys to having a quick release is getting your throwing arm to that L position and pulling your hand back so its facing 90 degrees at roughly the 4th our on a clock. The ball then should go above your head and high, the only thing it is capable of doing is going forward.
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Here in this image is what proper launch position looks like as demonstrated by Brad Paulson. You need to execute this motion quick, efficient, and effectively. It is critical you front hand mirrors the back hand. If your front hand goes down so will your back hand leading to passes in the dirt. Another key part of your motion is to have a firm wrist and no ball movement when throwing. You want to have your hand create a "C" shape when the ball is up instead of a "U" shape. You always want the ball to stay straight and don't throw it sideways because you will be wasting motion.
For the lower body of the throwing motion don't throw from your knees
the power of your throw comes from the ground up, the arm is merely just an extension. Throwing from the ground up is best because you're generating much more power than just your knees and arm are capable of. This is why when you hear people preach good base for a quarterback it is very important. with what I have said about don't throw from your knees you could then inversely say use your legs and base as your knees if you want to think of it that way. When throwing the football you want to envision yourself as a pitcher, meaning be violent with your front hand, come down hard on it towards your body. When doing this throwing motion you also want to expand your chest as that will help you generate more force and power. You also want to be violent with your belly button and use it as a target to get as quickly through it as possible.
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An example of bad mechanics would be the quarterback in the image to the left as his arms are out and down which is restricting the power you can generate from your motion.
Section 5: Throw
This section I will talk over the mechanical process of the entire throwing motion. Take a 6 inch step with your front foot. Drill used to do this is that they get their QBs behind a painted line and ask them to put their front foot over the line. Short step and no step throws are the keys to QB play.6/10 steps are going to be under pressure. Throwing on your third and 5th step under center is critical for QBs in high school. Front foot is the left foot, so the left foot goes over the line with the 6 inch step. Step just to the left of your target, Uncork your hips, and get your belly button around, and finish your follow through. When finishing your follow through, your thumb should be down and you should turn your index finger out. Finish your arm motion by being square, by bringing your arm to the other side of the body, specifically, to the off in-seam. Finish violently. Teach to finish well as it is often neglected .Aim Small. Aim at the shoulders or the nose of your receiver. Throw with a purpose, don’t throw to random spots.
Section 6: Footwork
This section is going to take aa deeper dive into footwork and base as well as detailing where some functions should be used. lets start with quick game and screens. Quick game and screens is all on two steps. Go from your even gun stance, take a slight step back with your right foot and plant to create the base of your stance like a pitching mound, plant your left foot down so you have your set stance, and then throw. Step towards your receiver. Your back ankle point, hip, and front shoulder should all face the receiver. Look where you throw. What to do: Slight step back with right foot Then take a small step with your left foot to set your stance and be towards your target and then throw a quick game. Your footwork will always be right, left, unless you are handing the ball off to the right, then it will be left, right. If the snap is bad, then you can change it up a bit to improvise, but you want the same footwork every time outside of those two situations as you will have a better feel, footwork, and muscle memorization.
Section 7: drops
A general description of drops is how far back the quarterback is working based on step count and that step count will vary based on scheme, passing concept, and even personnel. Lets get straight into drops without wasting any time. Starting with 1 step drops. 1-step drop (basically quick game footwork) 3 step drop from under center Depth does not matter for an under center quick game drop. Separate (1st step), Weight (2nd step), Plant (3rd step), Throw (set towards your target with your front foot, but don’t turn fully turn everything, just turn your front foot to him so you are square, then throw football with proper mechanics) 3rd step must be under your hip. Change your mound where you need it to be with 3rd and when you set to throw. The weight is on the second step. In general: On balance Ankle, Hip, Shoulder towards target Always Right foot, then left foot Don’t turn and flip towards target, take a step, and set towards your target (let your tiny step with your front foot when you are getting set make you set towards your target. Catch, Step, Throw Quick Game Do drill every day. 3-step drop Base drop It’s a read on a player, a corner, or flat defender Smash is an example of a concept. 5 steps drop under center. 5th step hits from under center, you throw ball to first read Take first three steps as usual, then second to last step is weight, then you plant (last step), and then you set your mound and throw No hitch-ups, just plant and throw. From Gun: Open (Right), Crossover (Left), Plant (Right), then set your mound towards target and throw. When you are on your final step (backfoot hits on last step) throw the ball to your first read. Get to your power position The goal is to first teach the proper footwork, then how to hitch up and throw the curl routes. 3-Quick drop Take the fastest three steps you can and then throw the ball, no hitches or waits. Does not matter if you crossover with your feet or not. Will let you throw the ball on time. You throw to a spot with proper timing and can help your receiver. Guys with average arms/underdeveloped arms trying to read more complicated quick game concepts or vertical routes (such as ones mentioned below) should definitely do this. But guys with better arms should as well as it helps with timing and helps to throw to a spot, especially in the deep game. Red Zone timing Glance Seam Speed out Back Shoulder Go Stick/Snag Vertical routes, comebacks In high school maybe some skinny posts. 3 and a Hitch Drop What you do in the backyard. This is like 3-step drop but going to your second read. Let’s say curl-flat concept. If your flat read is covered at the top of your drop, take your back foot and go just past your hip and gather step (essentially just take a step forward with your back foot, and then a step with your front foot). Your steps must be short and in the pocket. 1 tiny step forward with your back foot then your front foot. (can’t show it better than this but look at the board and how much distance he has covered between the poster on the board from top of his drop and after taking two steps. The steps are supposed to be tiny resets). That’s it. You are not trying to go too forwards; this is all for rhythm throws for your second reads. You are just resetting your feet. Focus time on these as they are important but focus more time on 1-step and 3-step drops themselves. 12-14 yard throws. Curl, hitch throws mostly. 3-Double Hitch You have been to the top of your drop. hitched once. Your second read was not open. Take another hitch forward as was mentioned before how to do it (one small step forward with back foot, one small step forward with front foot) Now you need an escape plan. If you have a backside concept or a checkdown built in, read it on the way out of the pocket when you are running or escaping Step up and run (If you step up and out this is an escape) Always better to take off and go, don’t go back to receivers you have read. Never want the No, NO, NO, Yes Yes Yes moments essentially. Run scramble and escape drills so guys know how to escape and how to scramble. The QB should be able to tell the WRs if the route was wrong if he was not able to throw the pass due to route timing.
Take a deep breath after that section
A general description on moving concepts is designed passing concepts that ask the quarterback to get on the move as a part of the play script this is something that has vastly increased in popularity amongst play callers. With that being said lets talk moving concepts starting with sprint outs. If you are sprinting out, mentally put your weight on the other foot in your stance. If the plan is to go right, put the weight on your left foot mentally, since you want to take a good first step and gain ground towards the direction you are going with, with your right foot (when going right). First step has to be great. When sprinting out, aim for a point 5x5 behind. 5 yards off to the side, and 5 yards back. Turn and sprint towards that point. Get out and get deep. If the first step is bad and is not in the correct direction and doesn’t get depth (they are running sideways), the play can’t be executed properly, since the End can recover and tackle you. SPRINT AS FAST AS YOU CAN to the 5x5 point mentioned before, then attack downhill (run or pass) If you stop your feet, you must throw the ball. Otherwise, you will get hit from behind. Don't try to pat the ball and pump it. If the end follows you (PA doesn’t catch him and he is coming towards you), and you can't get downhill, you must get the ball out. When you get to the spot and/or are attacking downhill and want to throw on the run, turn your front shoulder so it faces the target and then drive the ball towards him. Depends on the QB how much focus you put on it, and it’s a good focus to take some pressure on the line.
Section 8: Moving concepts
Section 9: Escapes
Besides base fundamentals it is very important to know how to escape The QB has to understand the difference between real pressure, and just pressure Real pressure is a guy coming at you unblocked or you are seeing a full jersey, not hands in front of your face. What do you do when you are in trouble? Your fundamentals must take over. You must coach this and create muscle memory to make sure you are fundamentally set and avoid turnover worthy plays. When you get pressure from either side, talk the ball in your chest, then dip your shoulder and gain ground by moving forward. This hopefully will buy you enough time to find a receiver downfield. Read your 2nd or 3rd read, don’t go back to your first read. If you, can’t you have to get out Dip your shoulder and sprint out and gain ground towards the point as was mentioned in the moving throws section. Most common thing you have to do When you have interior pressure come at you, for example a blitz. DO NOT PANIC Don’t turn away and run First set the rush, finish your drop This causes the blitzer to go to the position where you were at and if you don’t finish your drop, he has an easier job following you. Then sprint out just like mentioned before on the previous section. As a last resort on this or a backside rush, after setting the rush (finishing your drop) you can spin out. Drill and teach to spin out, but it is a last resort, much more important to drill keeping the ball tight to the chest and sprinting out. Most important thing to remember when getting pressured is to not make a bad play worse. Never try to extend the play in a negative way.
Section 10: Quarterback: Laws
Quarterback Laws are very simple, they are the rules an offensive coordinator, head coach, or Quarterback coach, put in place to ensure the Quarterback will succeed and they have a, mental idea of what needs to be accomplished, what needs to be done, and what they can't do. Now lets talk about all the laws. Always put money in the bank. Never pass up an open receiver. Throw the ball to the flat if you need to. Get the ball into the hands of someone who can score. Use your footwork as a clock. When backfoot hits on the final step of your drop, that’s when you throw to your first read. Hitch up, and throw to second read. .After that, have an escape plan. Identify coverages Is it a 1 safety, 2 safety, or no safety look. Sometimes you don’t know what the coverage is, so if you can communicate how many safeties there are then you should be fine, as at least you know the QB is looking at the defense. Escape plans vs blitz After the second hitch, have an escape plan for your QB, whether that is running or escaping out of the pocket, or throwing to his checkdown or running out and reading a backside concept. Each drive should end with a kick Never throw late over the middle. If you run an option, never pitch off anyone but your read key. Don’t pitch the ball away unless it is because of the person you are reading. Don’t make bad plays worse. Don’t miss an inside or outside breaking route.
Section 11: Read Options & RPOs
RPOs and read options are 2 concepts that have vastly grown in popularity over recent years due to the rise in spread offense and the mass slaughtering of cover 3. Now I will explain Read Options and RPOs. Give specific boxes for QB to look into. First box is how many safeties are there (1, 2, 0). 1 safety, there is 6 in box, 2 safeties, 5 in box 0 safeties, 7 in box. If the box is something you can run in (based on number of players, then run the ball). Usually can run in 6 man boxes or less, if your QB can run the ball. For RPOs, have a more advanced quickgame option front side, and a simple quickgame option (Screen) backside. Decide pre-snap if you can run the ball or not. If you can’t run the ball, then look at frontside concept pre-snap. Do you have an advantage there For example, if you have two hitches, is a CB in off coverage where you can easily make a completion. If the answer is yes, throw, if you can’t, then move to backside. Can the guy in front of the screen throw tackle the carrier quickly. If he can tackle the screen target quickly, just run the ball, if he can’t, then throw. Make it easy on your QB, if the quickgame options above are two complicated, then just have 1 route that he has to read. For example, have everyone block, and then 1 guy run a hitch. If he thinks he can throw the hitch, decide pre-snap and throw, if he can’t, run the ball. Most important thing is, do you have a box count that you can run the ball in. If you do, just run the ball. The bubble screen side (talked about above with the backside concept) is different than before. The guy is not just running a bubble, he is turning around towards the QB and slowly backing away. If the guy in front of him blitzes (in this case let’s say the WILL) then throw it to him as he is open. If he doesn’t and you read out the play and you can’t run the ball with the RB (end squeezes), then QB pulls out the ball and now it’s like an option play where the QB can either pitch it to the bubble guy, or keep it himself based on who the WILL takes. This is the play diagram, H is the bubble target or the option if the QB keeps the ball. In a 3x1 look, tell the receiver to the 1 side to just run a hitch. If there are two guys over him (a CB and a Safety), then you have an advantage somewhere else (whether that is having a 6 man box, or having someone on the backside uncovered). Here, you can just run the ball, cause it is a 6 man box (assuming you have a QB who can run). The goal is to make it simple, see where on the field you have an advantage and go to where you have an advantage, whether that is backside, frontside, or in the box. Essentially just have a rule and make it simple for your guys to read. To further help a QB read, have you receivers tell the QB what the DEAL of the defender in front of them is. DEAL = Depth, Eyes, Angle, Leverage. In general, the most important point is to make RPOs simple, with rules that you know your QB understands, make him count the number of guys in the box and then know where else he has an advantage.