Instructions: Circle the correct answer for each question (if printed) or test your QB smarts online. This quiz is designed for high school quarterbacks to sharpen their skills and game IQ. Ready to step up? Let’s go!
- What’s the first thing you should do after taking the snap in a passing play?
a) Look for your primary receiver immediately
b) Check your footwork and set your base
c) Start scrambling to avoid the rush
d) Hand off the ball to the running back - You’re facing a 3rd-and-8 with 30 seconds left in the half. What’s your best approach?
a) Throw a deep ball to go for the win
b) Look for a quick, safe pass to get the first down
c) Run the ball to kill the clock
d) Call a timeout to rethink the play - When reading a defense pre-snap, what’s a key sign of a Cover 2 defense?
a) Both safeties are deep and split wide
b) The cornerbacks are pressed up on the receivers
c) The linebackers are blitzing
d) Only one safety is visible in the middle - Your offensive line misses a block, and a defender is coming free. What do you do?
a) Throw the ball away immediately
b) Take the sack to avoid a penalty
c) Try to juke the defender and run
d) Force a pass to your closest receiver - Which of these is NOT a key trait of a great quarterback?
a) Decision-making under pressure
b) Strong arm strength
c) Ability to kick field goals
d) Reading defenses quickly - It’s 4th-and-goal from the 5-yard line. The defense is showing blitz. What’s your best move?
a) Audible to a quick slant pass
b) Stick with the run play called
c) Throw a fade to the corner of the end zone
d) Roll out and improvise - What’s the purpose of a pump fake?
a) To confuse the offensive line
b) To trick the defense into moving out of position
c) To signal a change in the play
d) To waste time on the clock - Your coach calls a play with a deep post route, but the safety is sitting deep. What’s your adjustment?
a) Throw the deep post anyway
b) Check down to a shorter route
c) Run the ball instead
d) Call a different play at the line - How can you tell if a defensive lineman is about to stunt (twist inside or outside)?
a) He’s lined up wider than usual
b) He’s clapping his hands before the snap
c) He’s yelling at his teammates
d) He’s standing straight up with no hand down - What’s the most important thing to focus on during a two-minute drill?
a) Getting out of bounds to stop the clock
b) Running the ball to control the game
c) Throwing deep to score fast
d) Avoiding any completions
Check Your Answers
Click to Reveal the Answer Key
1. b) Check your footwork and set your base – Mechanics start with a solid foundation.
2. b) Look for a quick, safe pass to get the first down – Keep the drive alive.
3. a) Both safeties are deep and split wide – Classic Cover 2 look.
4. c) Try to juke the defender and run – Use your athleticism (throwing away is also smart).
5. c) Ability to kick field goals – That’s for kickers, not QBs!
6. a) Audible to a quick slant pass – Beat the blitz with speed.
7. b) To trick the defense into moving out of position – Create openings.
8. b) Check down to a shorter route – Don’t force it deep.
9. a) He’s lined up wider than usual – A sign of a stunt.
10. a) Getting out of bounds to stop the clock – Time is everything in a two-minute drill.
Coaches: Use this quiz at Capital QB’s to teach your players. Review the answers together and break down how they apply on the field. Players: Test yourself, then talk it over with your coach or teammates to level up your game!
