Great teachers employ different methods. Once they find a successful pattern they adopt it until something even better appears.
There are those who attempt to have you see the “whole tree,” and others explore “each leaf” before a summation exists.
Grooming a quarterback is a bit of each. Though there are individual parts to learn, none of the parts function alone. That makes it very logical to teach each part separately but in conjunction with all the others.
#1 Mental
Teaching the QB the mental discipline involved with the position is to thoroughly familiarize him with every front defensively. This would encompass the defensive line and linebackers, and their various alignments. You must assign names to each front and defender so that a quick reference is available. The secondary is a bit more sophisticated and, by sight, the QB must with a quick scan seek out several identifying facts.
Is it a 3 deep or 2 deep? What are the depths of the 2 corners and safeties?
A “pre-snap” mental picture gives a slight clue as to what may transpire at the snap of the ball. It is on the way to the QB depth as he fades back that he takes a “post snap” read of the defensive secondary. By reading the inside safety of a 2 deep, a type of coverage can pretty well be determined. Here again, the repetition of “chalk talks,” field practice and film review are what create the familiarity one desires. There is no way a gifted freshman or sophomore could have ever seen as much as an experienced but maybe not as physically talented senior. Therein is often the difference.
The other part of the mental aspects is in “play-calling” and a total mastery of the entire offensive arsenal tied to formations, audibles, etc. It is ongoing! It starts with the off season and charts, and then the first day of practice through the last game – and continues each year thereafter. It is like a pianist who moves from “Chopsticks” to advanced reading of more complex chords
#2 The Mechanics
Being a QB in major football is to be highly dexterous with hands and feet. It calls upon the following aspects to rehearse daily until a degree or perfection exists:
1. Taking the snap, (a) from the T, (b) from the true single wing, ¼ of the way back, (c) from the shotgun.
2. Every conceivable pivot, including a dropback to pocket, rollout, reverse pivot and straight alignment.
*Imagine the center’s rear end as 12:00 of the face of a clock the QB is standing on. The QB should be aligned as near parallel with his feet and with about 120 degree bend in his arms while in the T formation. His first step is directed to a point on the clock. All false steps are to be thoroughly avoided.
3. Handoffs, fakes, rides are all mastered by daily repetition. All handoffs are given and received exactly the same way, every time. The mastery of fundamentals is mundane – but absolutely essential. No greater indictment comes on a coaching staff than a team routinely unable to execute the basics.
4. Foot and hand dexterity is rehearsed for quickness and accuracy in every play rehearsal every day. A QB coach is focused on every rehearsal play and should comment on right or wrong proficiency while on the spot.
The last mechanic I want to stress here is the passing ability and progression. Many coaches seek out this talent first – however it may or may not be the total criteria. A coach imparts the knowledge of::
1. The grip.
2. Arm position to throw.
3. Arm and leg position, follow through.
4. Trajectory.
5. Completion.
Each section has several key check points. It has been said “Practice makes perfect”. Better said is “perfect practice makes perfect!” Every day the QB throws, one coach, at a minimum, should be in constant observation for the correct delivery of the pass. A student manager can easily record hits and misses, which is an important tool.
#3 Practice
Lastly, a coach looks for a personality of leadership potential, voice, confidence, intelligence, coachability, and overall acceptance by the teammates. There is an Italian word my grandmother always used with her grandsons who were always in a hurry. She would say “Pazienza,” which means patience. Grooming a QB must be approached just this way, both by the prospect and the coach. All of the perfecting gets accomplished by daily rehearsal of correct actions. It is as all things worthwhile, hard to accomplish. That is why the value of a QB is so justifiably magnified.
When the project nears the end, you may step back to see the whole tree, yet you’ll appreciate every branch and leaf!
#1 Mental
