Have you ever tried throwing a football with shoulder pads on? Now, add a football helmet!
It’s a totally different feel then just throwing the ball around with some friends at the park. Having shoulder pads on restricts your full throwing rotation and you’re restricted somewhat on getting your arm elevated to where you think it feels “normal”. One of the drills I demonstrate in our Passing DVD, have your quarterback sit on the ground with his knees elevated at a 45 degree angle and throw the football with a partner back and forth at a 10 yard distance. You will notice they will have a tendency to lean to one side, but keep them straight and have them elevate their elbow, so it’s above the shoulder.
Here’s one of our Quarterback Passing Drills from our Capital QB’s passing drills video.
Coach Ron with the help from his Capital QB’s players, has released a Quarterback Training video which will help players improve their footwork and passing mechanics. In fact, players and coaches everywhere can use these drills at practice or in their free time to learn more about the finer points about being a next level quarterback. Now, you can get the same drills and coaching points Coach Ron uses with his Quarterbacks!
Capital QB’s was founded by Coach Ron Raymond in June 2011. Ron Raymond has played and coached the Quarterback position in the Ottawa area since the late 80’s. Coach Ron is looking forward teaching young athletes the key fundamentals and mechanics of being a champion quarterback of the future.
Capital QB’s Instructional Passing Video
Warm up Section: Before starting your footwork drills, we have our quarterbacks do their Every Day Drills otherwise known as EDD’s are a set of 15 second type drills to warm up the QB’s eye hand coordination.
EDD’s (Warm Ups)
- Ball Handling Drill (Around the Head, Waist, Hips, leg, figure 8, Straddle)
- Stance Twists
- Stance Scissors
- Stance Jacks
- Stance Squat & Jump
- Set Position: Side to Side
- Set Position: Alternate Feet
- Set Position: Front and Back
- Set Position: Jumping Jacks
- Set Position: Circle Bounce
- Jump Rope (1 minute)
- Spring Steps Down the line
*Coaching Points: During EDD’s, have QB’s focus on eye hand coordination and when doing any footwork type warm up, make sure QB are on the balls for their feet.
A- Quarterback Passing Drills
Drill #1: Dart Drill
Equipment: Football
*Coaching Points:
- Keep elbow slightly above shoulder
- Start with palm down and load up slowly
- Open and cock wrist
- Point tip of football to sidelines
- Roll football off finger tips, snap the wrist and pick up grass
Drill #2: Sit and Throw Drill
Equipment: Football
*Coaching Points:
- Sit and keep legs slightly bent
- 2 hands on the football until Separation
- Sitting forces QB to throw as though they have shoulder pads on
- On the wind up, make sure tip of football points to back of end zone
Drill #3: Knee Throws
Equipment: Football
*Coaching Points:
- Keep elbows in
- Make sure to twist and turn
- Follow throw and stay balanced
Drill #3: Spread Legs, Throw & Touch Ground Extension Drill
Equipment: Football
*Coaching Points:
- Start with legs spread apart
- 2 hands on the football until Separation
- Full exaggerated extension and touch ground while looking over your throwing shoulder
Drill #5: Twist, Turn and Throw (Balance Stance)
Equipment: Football
*Coaching Points:
- Start in balanced stance
- Keep 2 hands on the ball until Separation
- Twist and point non-throwing shoulder to target and finish with other shoulder to target
- Create elbow circle
- Cock wrist and come over the top with full extension and pick up grass
Drill #6: Elbow Circle Drill (3 reps)
Equipment: Football
*Coaching Points:
- Stay at the Set Position with 2 hands on the ball
- Create 3 arm circles, sink hip and elbow on 3rd circle and throw
Drill #7: Anchor Drill (Progression: 1 step Anchor Drill)
Equipment: Football
*Coaching Points:
- Start with open stance
- Unlock your front hip while keeping back foot at a 45 degree angle
- Keep elbow close to body when throwing
- Use elbow circle to wind up
- Break the pane of glass with non-throwing arm
- Progression with 1 step
Drill #8: Statue of Liberty Drill (no step, then 1 step)
Equipment: Football
*Coaching Points:
- Start with elbow slightly above shoulder with football tip pointing towards back end zone
- Push off front foot, sink the hip and elbow at the same time
- Make sure QB plants back foot while transferring weight from front to back
- Point none throwing shoulder to target and follow through with throwing shoulder pointed to target
- Complete throw with full follow through extension
- Back Knee and Elbow should be in Sync
Drill #9: Down the side line drill (2 partners – 5 yards, 10 yards, 15 yards)
Equipment: Football
*Coaching Points:
- 2 hands on football until Separation
- Twist torso, turn towards target with leg kick
- Use elbow circle and keep throwing elbow close to body
- Follow through on the throw
Drill #10: Throw in a circle drill (2 partners)
Equipment: Football
*Coaching Points:
- 2 hands on football until Separation
- Twist torso, turn towards target with leg kick
- Use elbow circle and keep throwing elbow close to body
- Follow through on the throw
Drill #11: Step Over, Plant and Throw Drill (3 Ball Explode Drill)
Equipment: Football
*Coaching Points:
- Explode out of first step and plant the back foot
- Sink the hips and elbows at the same time
- Keep elbows in and follow through on throw
Drill #12: Walk, Jog and Throw
Equipment: Football
*Coaching Points:
- Keep elbows in
- Circle wind up and follow through
- Point left leg to target if right handed QB
- Point right leg to target if left handed QB
- Point non-throwing shoulder to target and follow through with throwing shoulder pointed to target
Drill #13: Screen Throws (Strong and Weak Side Throws)
Equipment: Football
*Coaching Points:
- Take your drops, then square up your shoulders to the running back catching the screen
- Keep throwing elbow close to body and don’t stop the motion on the quick screen throw
- Elevate and Follow through on throw
Drill #14: 3-Step Drop & Throw with QB tee (Front Throw & Hash mark to Hash Mark Throw)
Equipment: Football
*Coaching Points:
- Keep elbows in
- Explode in 3 step drop and throw (1.3 seconds)
- Explode in 5 step drop and throw (1.7 seconds)
- Start with QB partner in front, then go hash mark to hash mark
- Start at 10 yards apart and work towards a manageable throw for both QB
Drill #15: Clap Drill
Equipment: Football
*Coaching Points:
- QB to explode from starting point
- On coaches clap, QB to settle and gather their balance, then Plant, Point & Throw
- Point none throwing shoulder to target and follow through with throwing shoulder pointed to target
Drill #16: Check, Check, Down Drill (Good man to man drill)
Equipment: Football
*Coaching Points:
- 3-Step drop from gun or 5 step drop from under center
- Check steps, but check with your eyes
Drill #17: Receiver Clock Drill or Play 21
Equipment: Football
*Coaching Points:
- Stay in the Set Position and coaches calls time of day
- QB to keep feet moving in Foot Fire position
- Work on explosive release and accuracy
Drill #18: Turn the Receiver Drill
Equipment: Football
*Coaching Points:
- Throw to opposite side of where the coach is standing behind the receiver
- Keep ball at the same level of receivers throat
Drill #19: Chase Drill
Equipment: Football
*Coaching Points:
- Start from QB tee, set at 1.7
- 5 Step drop
- Point lead foot ahead of target
- Step in and follow through, don’t take anything off the throw
Drill #20: Shadow Drill
Equipment: Football
*Coaching Points:
- Throw the football to the outside shoulder of the receiver
- QB has to follow through on the throw, so they don’t throw off their back foot
Drill #21: Accuracy Drill through Goal Post (stationary, 5 step drop from goal line and roll out)
Equipment: Football
*Coaching Points:
- Two hands of the ball (Separation Rule)
- Follow through on throw
- Full extension
- Finish with back hip to target
- Point forward foot to target