Hawg Tuff

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I. QB CROSS STEP FOOTWORK IN DROPPING BACK

1. Pivot on the left foot and take a long step back toward the set-up spot with the right foot. Then use cross-over action to the set-up spot.

2. The set-up will vary according to the pass called and will be determined by the number of steps you take. Starting with the right foot, you will take 3 or 5 steps and “Stop”, “ready” to pass. You must have stopped and be ready to pass before the receiver makes his final break (on at LEAST 2 steps more than the QB took).

3. Open your shoulders at an angle NOT TO EXCEED 90 degrees to the LOS and look straight down the field, seeing your reads as you go back. Know where you are going with the ball by the time you reach the set-up spot. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE QB TO KEEP HIS SHOULDERS AT A RIGHT ANGLE TO LOS, AND HIS FOREHEAD PARALLEL TO THE LOS SO HE CAN SEE THE FIELD.

4. The ball must be held chest high and with two hands. Always be ready to unload the ball quickly.

5. Step in the “Ready” position without any resetting so you can pass immediately if necessary. (A small reset step may be taken on a 5 step drop).

6. THREE STEP DROP (“QUICK DROP”):
A. The 3 step drop is a 1 + 2 step drop, with 1 full stride and 2 short gathering strides – planting on the third step and throw. Always stop with short steps and come to balance before throwing.
B. It is coordinated with the quick passing game. Receivers run 5 step breaks.
C. Think in terms of the set-up spot being 3 to 4 yards deep.

7. FIVE STEP DROP
A. The 5 step drop is a 3 + 2 step drop, with 3 full strides and 2 short gathering strides to plant on the fifth step. Always stop with short steps and come to balance before throwing.
B. Plant and throw on the fifth step on timing routes. If the pattern needs more time, bounce and allow it to develop – then throw. Receivers run at least a 7 step break.
C. Think in terms of the set-up spot being 5-6 yards deep.

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II. QB THROWING TECHNIQUE

1. BACKSWING & STEP: Body unfolds like an accordion. Simple and direct – no twist – ball goes UP and BACK to a point above and behind shoulder. Palm faces target throughout – take SHORT step in direction of throw. “Frame” target between your feet.

2. WEIGHT TRANSFER: Feet as wide as armpits (with knees slightly flexed – never locked or rigid). Weight transfers as ball starts forward. 90% on rear foot before throw. 90% on front foot after throw. CHIN OVER TOE OF LEAD FOOT ON DELIVERY.

3. THROWING MOTION:

A. ELBOW LEAD: Elbow above shoulder on backswing. Elbow leads ball as in fast ball – should NOT be a conscious effort.

B. HIGH RELEASE: Ball comes forward as high off ground as comfortable – arm leverage – “throw over a fence” – more power – avoid defensive block. ELBOW SHOULDER HEIGHT OR HIGHER.

C. FINGERTIP CONTROL: Push fingertips of ring, middle, and index finger THROUGH the ball. Tips control accuracy – thumb leaves ball early.

D. WRIST WHIP: PALM FACES TARGET AS IN FAST BALL – not curve ball. No pointing of ball – long axis aligns after release.

E. FOLLOW THROUGH: Extend hand, arm and shoulders toward target – pronate wrist – allow hip and rear foot to come around.

F. WHOLE BODY CONCEPT: All power comes from feet through knees, hip, and trunk. Whole body pivots like spring uncoiling – delivery must come OFF front foot – not against front foot.

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III. ESTABLISHING TIMING BETWEEN QB’s & RECEIVERS:

THIS APPLIES TO “TIMING” ROUTES ONLY:

A) THE TIMING OF THE DELIVERY IS ESSENTIAL. IT IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT ITEM TO SUCCESSFUL PASSING!

B) GIVE THE RECEIVER 1 SECOND TO GET OUT OF HIS STANCE, AND 1/10 SECOND FOR EACH ADDITIONAL YARD RUN. FOR EXAMPLE: A 6 YARD “HITCH” SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY THE RECEIVER IN 1.6 SECONDS! NOTE: ON A TIMING ROUTE – THE RECEIVER MUST TAKE AT LEAST TWO MORE STEPS THAN THE QB DOES IN SETTING UP (THIS GIVES THE QB .5 SECONDS TO GET THE BALL OUT).

C) QUARTERBACK MUST GET THE BALL OUT OF HIS HAND (ON “TIMING ROUTES”) BEFORE THE RECEIVER MAKES HIS FINAL BREAK. FOR EXAMPLE: THE RECOMMENDED TIME FOR THE QB ON THE “HITCH” IS 1.3 SECONDS.

D) (QB) IF YOU CANNOT CO-ORDINATE EYE AND ARM TO GET THE BALL AT IT’S INTENDED SPOT PROPERLY AND ON TIME, YOU ARE NOT A PASSER!!!

E) KEEPING THE BALL IN BOTH HANDS AND CHEST HIGH IS PART OF THE ANSWER.

F) “BREAKING POINTS”: (FOR TIMING PURPOSES) – OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING (ON TIMING ROUTES):

1) QB TAKES 3 STEPS (IN .8 SECOND) – ON PASSES WITH BREAKING POINTS OF 6 YARDS. QB GETS THE BALL OUT IN 1.3.
2) QB TAKES 5 STEPS (IN 1.3 SECONDS) ON PASSES WITH BREAKING POINTS OF 12 YARDS. QB GETS THE BALL OUT IN 1.8.
3) QB TAKES 5 STEPS & A RESET (HITCH) STEP UP ON MANUEVER PASSES, & PASSES WITH DEEPER BREAKING POINTS (APPROXIMATELY 18 YARDS). THESE ARE GENERALLY NOT TIMING ROUTES, BUT THE QB NEEDS TO GET THE BALL OUT NO LATER THAN 2.5 (2.7 AT VERY LATEST).



QB FOOTWORK IN RELATION TO TIMING:

A) IF GOING TO FIRST MAN IN PROGRESSION ON A “TIMING” ROUTE (“HITCH”, “OUT”, ETC) – THROW IMMEDIATELY AS YOUR LAST STEP (3 OR 5) HITS THE GROUND (“PLANT-STEP-THROW”). IF HE IS ON A “MANUEVER” ROUTE (“POST CORNER”, ETC) – YOU HAVE TO “HITCH” UP INTO THE THROW.

B) IF GOING TO THE 2nd OR 3rd RECEIVER IN THE PROGRESSION – YOU MUST RESET YOUR FEET TO GET YOUR LEFT SHOULDER POINTED AT THE TARGET AREA AFTER COMING OFF THE 1st RECEIVER IN THE PROGRESSION, ONCE FOR #2, AND AGAIN FOR #3 (IF GOING TO HIM). DO ALL OF THIS AS YOU ARE DROPPING BACK IF POSSIBLE – NOT AFTER YOUR 5th STEP HITS. NOTE: IF READING 3 MEN IN A PROGRESSION ON THE 5 STEP DROP – IT CAN TAKE BETWEEN 2.0 TO 2.7 (DEPENDING ON IF YOU THROW ON THE SET, RESET ONCE, OR RESET TWICE).

C) NOTE: KNOW WHICH THROWS ARE “TIMING” (RHYTHM) THROWS, AND WHICH ARE “MANUEVER” ROUTES.