The Most Effective Quarterback Drills For Football

One of the most important offensive players on a football team is the quarterback. Quarterbacks need to have strong physical skills and accuracy. They need to develop a strong throwing arm, quick feet, speed, agility and mobility. The quarterback is basically the general on the field with the purpose of calling plays and distributing the ball to other players in order to advance the ball down the field and ultimately score points.

For most teams, the quarterback is the heart of the team and involved with almost every single play. Further, the job for half the offensive team is to protect the quarterback, while the other half is making a play, first downs, and scoring. On the flip side, most of the defensive team is trying to take him down! During all this, the quarterback is trying to hand-off or pass the ball to other players surrounded by the opposing team. This means a quarterback must be extremely agile and fast, besides having a powerful arm. 

Whether you are a professional NFL, high school, or even a younger quarterback, VertiMax football training  will do more to increase vertical jump and first step quickness while maximizing your ability to dominate on the field. Incorporating these VertiMax football drills into your football training program will take you to the next level as a quarterback. 

5 Quarterback Drills

1. Knee Drills

Knee drills are one of the best ways a quarterback can improve their throwing technique and throwing power. Do this drill by having a quarterback drop to their knees while they throw. This eliminates the use of leg drive and focuses all concentration on the core and arm.  

Quarterbacks can use this drill with another quarterback or a receiver. They can also perform one or two knee drills.

1. Have the quarterback(s) kneel on one or two knees
2. If two quarterbacks, they can throw to each other. Have the receiving quarterback move their hands for a target.
3. If throwing to a receiver, the receiver will run a pre-planned route and the quarterback must throw to them on their knees
   
   

2. Scan The Field

The quarterback is constantly being attacked at the same time he’s looking for an open receiver. This means the quarterback must be able to identify an open teammate fast.  The “scan the field” drill will help make this happen.  

1. Have a quarterback line up on the line of scrimmage with 3 receivers spread out in front
2. Have the receivers far enough apart so the quarterback must scan the field to see all of them
3. Upon a snap, the quarterback will drop back
4. A coach will point at one of the 3 receivers who will raise their arms
5. The quarterback must identify the receiver with raised arms and throw to them

3. Sprint Outs

Sprint outs are used by quarterbacks when they need to sprint outside the pocket to throw. Doing so means they need to throw while on the run and possibly escape a defensive lineman or linebacker.  

1. A quarterback will line up with a wide receiver already standing about 10 yds out, off to the side. About ⅓-¼ from either the left or right sideline.
2. Upon snap, the quarterback drops back 5 yards 
3. They then sprint out either to the left or right at approximately a 45-degree angle
4. While sprinting, the quarterback must throw the ball before they cross the line of scrimmage
5. Alter the side the receiver is on (left or right) as well as the way the quarterback runs (left or right) for variations
   
   

4. Escaping Pressure

Linemen and linebackers are always trying to get to the quarterback or put pressure on him. The escaping pressure helps train a quarterback to evade these threats to make a successful pass.

1. You’ll need 2 objects, preferably large like a dummy or hula hoop
2. Place the objects about 5 yards behind the quarterback with 1 yard of separation
3. Have the quarterback get on the line of scrimmage and perform a snap
4. The quarterback will drop back and then pretend there is pressure
5. Have the quarterback move around the item and then step into the pocket to make a throw
6. You can also use real players to mimic pressure

5. Hitting Routes

The above four drills worked on improving the quarterback’s ability to throw and agility. Hitting routes puts these into action by having the quarterback practice running plays common to the team.  

1. This drill will need the quarterback and 4 or 5 different possible receivers
2. All players line up on the line of scrimmage
3. Upon the snap, the quarterback drops back and throws to the desired players
4. This drill can be run alone or in combination with any of the above drills.

Add VertiMax to the Quarterback to increase the effectiveness of this drill!