Football Training Tips To Succeed At The College Level: Quarterback Position Tip #2:

by CSA Prepstar Canada

Possibly the best place for a quarterback to start learning proper footwork and ball-handling skills is in the gymnasium. You'll gain confidence considerably faster by wearing basketball shoes on a smooth gym floor than by doing this on an uneven surface outside.

Before you can receive the ball from the center, you need to have mastered the following:

1) Proper balance under center.
2) A good comfort level under center.
3) Proper stance.

HANDOFFS DURING RUNNING PLAYS

During running plays, a quarterbacks footwork has to be precise. Your handoff side foot will take a short step commonly known as a cheat step, in the direction the play is being run.

For shallow handoffs your far foot will take a longer step down the line of scrimmage taking you to the handoff point with the running back. With a deeper handoff your far foot will take a longer step in the direction of the handoff. As you hand off the ball to the running back you'll bring both hands to your stomach and continue to move to the outside.

For reverse pivot handoffs you will pivot on your cheat foot while taking the next step with the far foot. Your back will be facing your opponents end of the field.

Now there are some things you have to keep in mind during a running play. First, your head will turn in the direction of the runner receiving the ball, while keeping your eyes focused on the running back throughout the play. Always hold the ball firmly with both hands while keeping your arms close to your body only moving away to give the ball to the running back.

As you are handing off the ball keep your head focused on the running back and extend your arms to place the ball directly in the runners stomach. The hand closest to the running back comes off the ball first with the opposite hand placing the ball into his stomach. As soon as the handoff has been completed continue into the backfield or down the line depending upon the direction of the play.

Now if you are faking a handoff your head still remains focused on the running back and your arms extended as if you are going to complete the handoff. With a two-handed fake draw the ball back just before the running back covers the ball with his arms. With a one-handed fake put your empty hand into the running back stomach then pull the hand back.

You'll find that in the NCAA you will be running a lot of pitch plays. During this type of a running play move the ball to the hip closest to the direction of the pitch and toss the ball under hand to the running back.

During most types of running plays the running back will make a type of a pocket with his arms in order to receive the ball safely. The top portion of this pocket will be made with the inside forearm parallel with the ground and the elbow even with the shoulder. The bottom half will be made with the outside forearm held across the midsection.

As soon as contact is made with the ball both hands will secure the ball immediately. While you will be keeping your eyes on the running back the running back will be focused on the defense, not on you.

The other critical aspect to a running play is of course the offensive line. As the play develops they'll use quick short steps while keeping their arms moving in a running motion. The shoulders will stay square to the line while their body will maintain contact with the opposing player until the whistle blows.