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

PASSING FACTORS

A few basic thoughts for developing a young quarterback.

1. Fundamentals: For a quarterback to be effective and consistent he must develop a fundamentally sound throwing motion. A mechanically sound throwing motion allows the quarterback to develop the velocity, the timing, and accuracy to be an effective passer. Many quarterbacks have become excellent passers with a variety of throwing motions from the textbook motion to a home-made motion. These players using the trial and error method with tune and practice could rely on their mechanics to throw the ball with velocity, timing, and accuracy. But, young quarterbacks should be taught the principles of a sound throwing motion that has a minimum of moving parts and includes the body as well as the arm to throw the ball.

2. Timing: Timing and accuracy not velocity are the keys to being an effective passer. Velocity is an asset to put the ball in tight places, but without accuracy it is meaningless. A quarterback can’t throw the ball through defenders no matter how strong-armed he is. Timing is essential because a quarterback only has X amount of time (3.5 sec.) to throw the football. Overthrowing creates more
problems than it rectifies.

3. Targeting: Targeting is essential to throw the ball where it has to be thrown for a completion. Targeting begins in warm up drills. Every throw must be thrown to a specific target for a quarterback to develop the accuracy necessary to be a successful passer. The basic target is the receiver’s facemask – because eye level it is the easiest place for the receiver to see the ball. And for accuracy and preventing interceptions the quarterback must learn and grasp the concept of Throwing the ball away from defenders and not to receivers.

4. Decision-making: Decision-making is as important as a sound throwing motion – or more important. A quarterback can has a perfect throwing motion, but if he can’t decide when and where to throw the ball all he is good for is handing off the ball.

5. Flexibility: Flexibility between the upper and lower body is essential for allowing the quarterback to throw the ball with or without a base, off the wrong foot, backing up, or sliding sideways.

6. Knowledge: Understanding passing game concepts is a critical building block in the quarterback’s ability to throw a football. The better he understands protections, pass routes, coverages, the better sense of timing he will develop.

7. Interceptions: Quarterbacks must understand the negative impact interceptions have on the offense.

8. Little Things: To become a complete passer a quarterback must work on the little things. The quarterback must learn to use his eyes to misdirect defenders, make pump fakes, play action fakes, and have the ability to change the target once he as all ready begun his throwing motion.

9. The Arm: A quarterback must realize when his arm hurts that he must stop throwing and rest the arm – and ice it. Too often young quarterbacks over throw to impress coaches, teammates and create serious arm problems.

Additional articles in this series include:

– MENTAL FUNDAMENTALS
– 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