This is the second in a series of articles that comprise Thoughts for Quarterbacks, a short booklet written by Coach and Author Larry Beckish.

MENTAL FUNDAMENTALS

FUNDAMENTALS

Sound mental and physical fundamentals win games in all sports – on any level of competition. An average player develops into a good player and a good player becomes better when thoroughly coached and drilled in fundamentals. Sending a player not thoroughly coached in fundamentals onto the field is like allowing a kid to take the SAT With arithmetic as his only math preparation – the chances for a good score are nearly impossible. Coach fundamentals – mental and physical!

THE QUARTERBACK’S MENTAL FUNDAMENTALS

The quarterback has several important mental fundamentals to file between his ears:

Understanding the offensive concept, controlling the huddle and establishing a rhythm in and out oft he huddle, knowing the down and distance and the game situation, calling plays correctly and concisely, using the snap count effectively, the ability to recognize defenses in order to make a pre-snap read, understanding ‘checkoffs,’ (audibles) and decision-making.

The most critical mental fundamental for a quarterback to master is the ability to make proper decisions quicker than heartbeat when executing an offense – regardless of the style of offense.

Athletic ability and mental and physical toughness are key ingredients in a quality quarterback. However, a quarterback with those qualities won’t get on the field ifhe doesn’t possess the ability to make decisions which allows the offense to consistently move the ball. It is imperative that the decision making process be thoroughly coached.

The quarterback must understand he will make X number of wrong decisions in a game. In any offense X number of wrong decisions are acceptable if the offense retains possession of the football when the whistle blows. An offense can recover from a poor decision, but often can’t recover from a poor decision which results in a turnover.

The quarterback must be given the decision making tools to minimize the risks of executing an option play. Regardless of how complex passing game decisions appear those decisions aren’t complex when a simple, logical decision making process is coached and practiced. To consistently make the proper decisions the quarterback must be coached to:

1. pre-snap read the defense for intent,
2. make one way decisions.

THE PRE-SNAP READ

The quarterback’s pre-snap read is similar to a detective searching for clues at a crime scene to solve a case. The pre-snap read is a search for clues which enables the quarterback to execute the offense with a minimum of risk in two ways;

1. The pre-snap read mentally isolates the defensive players who are involved in the decision making process.
2. The pre-snap read acts as an alert preventing the quarterback from being surprised by the defense and forcing a lost yardage play or a turnover.

ONE WAY DECISIONS

The key for a quarterback consistently making correct decisions in an option offense is for him to make one way decisions. One way decisions are pre-determined in the huddle or at the line of scrimmage. This simple, logical, consistent process is easy for young quarterbacks to understand.

REDUCING THE RISKS

A quarterback reduces the risks of executing an option play and the risks of injury by adhering to several critical coaching points. These coaching points are an integral part of an option quarterback’s education.

1. Always think blitz. Be prepared for quick, hard defensive pressure LOS or from the secondary. Never be caught flat footed by the blitz exposing yourself to a ‘big’ hit.
2. When in doubt, don’t. When the defensive reactions create doubt in the decision-making process, keep the ball- don’t risk a turnover by trying to put a square peg into a round hole which only results in splinters and splinters are only good for fires.
3. Don’t throw in the grasp. When in the grasp of a defender the play is over. Protect the football. Occasionally a great play is made when the quarterback throws in the grasp of a defender – the key word is occasionally – on most occasions it creates a turnover.
4. Don’t throw the ball blind. Look the ball into the target to make sure the receiver is in position to catch the ball- don’t throw to a ghost.
6. Get the ball thrown. Throw the ball when the defensive reactions dictate a throw. Don’t look for a more open receiver.
7. Don’t get hit. Being tackled is far different from getting hit. The quarterback is not a tailback, except on 3rd or 4th down and short. On contact give like a 100 pound sack of flour with one end open.

Additional articles in this series include:

– PASSING FACTORS
– THROWING FUNDAMENTALS
– QUARTERBACK MUSTS AND PASS ROUTE COACHING POINTS

Coach Beckish has been a long-time contributor to CompuSports web sites and has appeared on Coaches Corner – a talk radio show delivered in podcast format

Order Larry’s eBook, Coaching the Option Quarterback from the CompuSports Media Exchange