WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE a quarterback?
A quarterback must possess a strong arm, incredible accuracy, and great field vision. The quarterback is the leader of the team, so he must be cool, composed, and confident. Mobility is always a plus, but isn't necessary for a quarterback to succeed. Joe Montana is the golden standard for quarterbacks throughout the league.
Tom BradyTeam: New England Patriots #12 Height: 6'4" Weight:225 lbs When Brady steps back to throw, he uses a tight arm and body position. He steps back with tight-step positioning and has a two-hand ball control until he cocks back to throw. This allows for better ball control, faster and more accurate passing, better field of vision, and helps him reserve more energy for play. Brady's lack of mobility forces him to stay "in the pocket" when he throws the ball. |
*Tight arm and body position
How do to this:
When snapping the ball, take three steps back, drop your elbow and hold the ball closer to your torso, keeping your elbow at a 90-degree angle.
*Tight-step positioning
How to do this:
Take three steps back, then one cross-step back. When you are standing in the pocket, stand tall with your feet shoulder-length apart.
How do to this:
When snapping the ball, take three steps back, drop your elbow and hold the ball closer to your torso, keeping your elbow at a 90-degree angle.
*Tight-step positioning
How to do this:
Take three steps back, then one cross-step back. When you are standing in the pocket, stand tall with your feet shoulder-length apart.
Matt RyanTeam: Atlanta Falcons #2 Height: 6'4" Weight: 224 lbs Wide arm and body positioning, wide-step positioning (feet are farther apart), single-hand ball control, better with distance (“deep”) passing, uses more time and energy to pass because he opens his body for passing. Ryan loses passing accuracy, because his throwing motion is more like a lob. His average running ability allows him to extend the play with his legs, making his mechanics vital when he is on the move. |
*Wide-step positioning
How to do this:
Drop back for a pass with large steps, then take a large step forward when you are prepared to throw the pass.
*Opening your body for passing
How to do this:
Take a large step for the pass that you are attempting, and keep your torso completely visible when throwing the ball.
How to do this:
Drop back for a pass with large steps, then take a large step forward when you are prepared to throw the pass.
*Opening your body for passing
How to do this:
Take a large step for the pass that you are attempting, and keep your torso completely visible when throwing the ball.
Peyton ManningTeam: Denver Broncos #18 Height: 6'5" Weight: 230 lbs Manning's "textbook" arm and body positioning (45 degrees, zero position), textbook shoulder-width-step positioning, and two-hand ball control until during passing, allows for consistent ball control, faster and more accurate passing, and improves his field of vision for close and “deep” receiving targets. Even though he has little to no mobility, Manning’s mechanics allow him to perform well; despite his limited movement. |
*Textbook shoulder-width-step positioning
How to do this:
When preparing to pass the ball, keep the front elbow dropped and the back elbow (throwing arm) high and by your shoulder. When stepping back for the pass, do not take any steps that are wider than your shoulders.
*Close and “deep” receiving targets
How to do this:
For close targets, throw a faster, more horizontal, "bullet" pass. For deep receiving targets, throw the ball in a high, arching, angle with less speed than the "bullet" pass.
How to do this:
When preparing to pass the ball, keep the front elbow dropped and the back elbow (throwing arm) high and by your shoulder. When stepping back for the pass, do not take any steps that are wider than your shoulders.
*Close and “deep” receiving targets
How to do this:
For close targets, throw a faster, more horizontal, "bullet" pass. For deep receiving targets, throw the ball in a high, arching, angle with less speed than the "bullet" pass.
Aaron RodgersTeam: Green Bay Packers #12 Height: 6'2" Weight: 225 lbs Rogers uses Wide arm and body positioning, sometimes leaning back when preparing to pass. His wide-step positioning (feet are farther apart) and single-hand ball control make him better with distance (“deep”) passing. Even though he uses more time and energy to pass, his accuracy is compensated with an overhand throw / release. His stance provides him with great mobility, allowing him to accelerate quickly and gain an added edge over defenses. |
*Leaning back when preparing to pass
How to do this:
Draw back to throw the ball, putting most of your weight into your back foot for a more powerful pass.
*Single-hand ball control
How to do this:
After you step back for a pass, grip the ball where it feels comfortable for you and where you have the best grip on the ball just before throwing your pass. It is better to use this type of pass when you are rolling out of the pocket. Single-hand ball control is easier to accomplish if you have larger hands.
How to do this:
Draw back to throw the ball, putting most of your weight into your back foot for a more powerful pass.
*Single-hand ball control
How to do this:
After you step back for a pass, grip the ball where it feels comfortable for you and where you have the best grip on the ball just before throwing your pass. It is better to use this type of pass when you are rolling out of the pocket. Single-hand ball control is easier to accomplish if you have larger hands.
Image Sources:
Matt Ryan - http://tommeltonscouting.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/matt-ryan-pic-2.jpg
Tom Brady - http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3kq77nwoD2w/UEPyHTLTo0I/AAAAAAAAAJ8/BYz25Mll_3M/s1600/Brady_Tom6_Patriots.jpg
Aaron Rodgers - http://www.nflpassers.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Aaron_Rodgers_WIDE1105.jpg
Peyton Manning - http://obama.net/wp-content/uploads/peyton-manning1.jpg
Matt Ryan - http://tommeltonscouting.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/matt-ryan-pic-2.jpg
Tom Brady - http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3kq77nwoD2w/UEPyHTLTo0I/AAAAAAAAAJ8/BYz25Mll_3M/s1600/Brady_Tom6_Patriots.jpg
Aaron Rodgers - http://www.nflpassers.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Aaron_Rodgers_WIDE1105.jpg
Peyton Manning - http://obama.net/wp-content/uploads/peyton-manning1.jpg