By Ryan O’Hara
Quarterbacks Coach
Mt San Antonio College
Introduction
For Quarterbacks, the offseason is when the work begins. In this clinic report, I will provide you with some new, simple, and effective ways to improve your QB play. The focus of these drills is to improve a QB’s balance, foot speed, feel, evasion, timing, rhythm, weight transfer, and confidence.
My goal as a coach is to try and recreate any possible movement a QB can do in a game and get him as many repetitions at them as possible. These drills are meant to do just that.
Note: It is recommended that you do at least half of these drills daily. Our pre-practice, individual warm-up is usually 15 minutes and we usually get 8-10 of these drills done a day.
Drill #1: Live Pocket Presence
This drill starts with one QB under center or in shotgun. Two or three additional quarterbacks will be lined up on cones spaced 4 yards apart (see below). The QB will take a 5 step drop with a hitch from under center or a 3 step drop with a hitch from shotgun. When he sets at the top of his drop, two rushers will backpedal at him quickly, make him move, reset, and get the ball out as quickly as possible. A coach or receiver will stand 15 yards away. This works on movement within the pocket while staying poised to throw accurately, a skill that I believe is essential for good and consistent quarterback play.
Drill #2: Eye Manipulation W 2-Ball
In this drill, four quarterbacks will stand 22 yards apart from each other, with two on each side. One QB will stand in front of another to simulate a linebacker. The opposite QB will take a 3 or a 5 step drop with a hitch and try to skim the ball over LB’s head. This throw will have a little height and a lot of speed. The ball needs to come out off the first hitch and the QB should work on looking off the safety. This drill simulates timing, rhythm, arc and manipulation of defenders.
Drill #3: Quick Set-Up & Throw