So you want to teach your kid to be a quarterback? Whether it’s their dream or yours, helping your child develop the skills needed for this key football position can be both rewarding and challenging. From improving their throwing accuracy to enhancing their decision-making abilities on the field, there are a few tips and tricks you can employ to set your young athlete on the path to quarterback greatness. With a combination of patience, practice, and expert advice, you can nurture their passion for the game and equip them with the tools they need to become a standout quarterback.
Start with the Basics
Explain the Role of a Quarterback
As you begin to teach your kid to be a quarterback, it’s important to start with the basics. The first step is to explain the role of a quarterback. Let them know that the quarterback is the leader of the team on the field and is responsible for directing the offense. They need to understand that the quarterback’s main job is to throw accurate passes to their teammates, but they also need to be able to make quick decisions, read the defense, and adjust plays if necessary. By explaining the importance of the quarterback position, your child will have a better understanding of what they need to work on.
Teach Proper Stance and Footwork
One of the most fundamental aspects of being a quarterback is having a proper stance and footwork. Start by teaching your child to stand with their feet shoulder-width apart, with their knees slightly bent. Their weight should be balanced evenly on both feet, and their shoulders should be square to their target. Make sure they understand the importance of having a strong base to generate power and accuracy in their throws.
Next, focus on footwork. Teach them to take a short step forward with their non-throwing foot as they prepare to throw. This will help them generate forward momentum and transfer their weight onto their front foot, increasing the power behind their throw. Emphasize the importance of maintaining balance and staying on their toes, ready to move in any direction.
Practice Hand-Eye Coordination
Hand-eye coordination plays a crucial role in a quarterback’s ability to throw accurate passes. Help your child improve their hand-eye coordination by incorporating drills that involve catching and throwing. Start with simple exercises like tossing a ball back and forth, gradually increasing the distance and speed of the throws. You can also use smaller targets, like hula hoops or targets on a wall, to help them aim for specific areas.
Another effective way to improve hand-eye coordination is by using reaction drills. Have your child react to different cues, such as clapping or pointing, and throw the ball in response. This will help them develop quick reflexes and improve their ability to make accurate throws under pressure.
Introduce Basic Passing Techniques
Once your child has mastered the basics, it’s time to introduce them to basic passing techniques. Start with the most fundamental type of throw, the chest pass. Teach them to hold the ball with a firm grip, with the fingertips on the laces for better control. Emphasize the importance of a proper release, with the thumb pointing down and the fingers following through towards the target.
As they progress, introduce other types of throws, such as the spiral throw and the touch pass. Each throw requires a slightly different grip and release, so make sure to explain and demonstrate each technique thoroughly. Encourage your child to practice each throw repeatedly until they become comfortable and confident with their execution.
Develop Throwing Skills
Focus on Proper Grip and Release
Building upon the basics, it’s crucial to focus on the proper grip and release of the football. Teach your child to hold the ball with a firm grip, placing their fingers on the laces for better control and accuracy. The index finger should rest on the top lace, with the thumb supporting the bottom of the ball. This grip will enable them to have a stable and accurate throw.
When it comes to the release, emphasize the importance of following through with their throwing motion. Their thumb should point down towards the ground, while the fingers should continue pointing towards the target after the release. This follow-through will help generate the necessary power and accuracy in their throws.
Teach Different Types of Throws
As your child progresses in their quarterback training, introduce them to different types of throws. The two most common types are the spiral throw and the touch pass.
The spiral throw is characterized by the tight rotation of the ball, resulting in an accurate and powerful throw. Teach your child to flick their wrist at the end of the throwing motion, adding spin to the ball. Encourage them to practice this technique repeatedly to develop a consistent spiral.
The touch pass, on the other hand, is used to throw the ball over defenders or into tight windows. Teach your child to soften their grip on the ball and use a gentler throwing motion to add more loft to their passes. Emphasize the importance of timing and accuracy with this throw, as it requires finesse and control.
Practice Accuracy and Distance
Accurate throwing is an essential skill for any quarterback. Set up targets at various distances and heights to help your child practice their accuracy. Start with shorter distances and gradually increase the difficulty as they improve. Encourage them to focus on their form and mechanics, ensuring that they maintain a proper grip and release with each throw.
To increase their throwing distance, incorporate exercises that focus on building arm strength. Have them throw with a weighted ball or use resistance bands to add resistance to their throwing motion. By gradually increasing the difficulty and distance of their throws, your child will develop the arm strength necessary to make long and accurate passes.
Train for Quick Decision Making
Being a quarterback requires the ability to make quick decisions under pressure. Incorporate drills and exercises that simulate game situations to help your child develop their decision-making skills. Set up cones or markers to represent defenders and teach your child to quickly identify open receivers and make the appropriate throws.
Another effective way to train for quick decision making is by using visual cues. Show your child different defensive coverages and have them practice identifying the open receiver based on the coverage. By training their eyes to quickly analyze the field and make split-second decisions, your child will become a more effective and efficient quarterback.
Enhance Field Vision
Teach Pre-Snap Reads
Field vision is a critical aspect of being a successful quarterback. Teach your child to make pre-snap reads by analyzing the defensive alignment and identifying potential weaknesses. Help them understand the different defensive formations and how they can affect the play. By learning to recognize the defensive strategies before the snap, your child can make quick adjustments and exploit the weaknesses in the defense.
Train Eyes to Scan the Field
The ability to scan the field quickly and effectively is essential for a quarterback. Help your child develop this skill by incorporating drills that focus on eye movement. Encourage them to keep their head up and eyes scanning the field, rather than staring at a specific target. Have them practice throwing to different receivers from different positions, forcing them to scan the field and make quick decisions.
Develop Awareness of Defensive Coverages
Understanding defensive coverages is crucial for a quarterback. Teach your child the different defensive schemes, such as man-to-man, zone, and blitz. Help them recognize the key indicators of each coverage, such as the positioning of the defensive players and their movements. By developing an awareness of defensive coverages, your child will be able to make better decisions and exploit the weaknesses in the defense.
Practice Identifying Open Receivers
The ability to identify open receivers is essential for a quarterback. Incorporate drills that focus on improving your child’s awareness of their receivers’ routes. Set up receivers in different positions and have your child practice going through their progressions as they scan the field. Encourage them to anticipate their receivers’ movements and throw to them at the right time. By practicing the ability to identify open receivers, your child will become a more efficient and effective quarterback.
Improve Agility and Mobility
Incorporate Agility Drills
Agility is a crucial attribute for a quarterback. Incorporate agility drills into your child’s training routine to improve their quickness and responsiveness. Set up cones or markers in various patterns and have your child move through them quickly and with precision. Ladder drills, shuttle runs, and cone drills are all great options to improve agility.
Train for Quick Feet and Change of Direction
Quick feet and the ability to change direction quickly are important skills for a quarterback. Incorporate drills that focus on improving your child’s footwork and ability to change direction rapidly. Have them practice side-to-side movements, pivots, and quick cuts to simulate game situations. The more they train for quick feet and change of direction, the better they will be at evading pass rushers and extending plays.
Enhance Speed and Acceleration
Speed and acceleration are necessary for a quarterback to be able to escape pressure and make plays. Incorporate exercises that focus on improving your child’s speed and acceleration, such as sprints, agility ladder drills, and resistance training. By enhancing their speed and acceleration, your child will become a more effective and elusive quarterback.
Practice Evading Pass Rushers
Avoiding pass rushers is a critical skill for a quarterback. Set up drills that simulate pass rush situations and have your child practice evading defenders while maintaining their mechanics. Encourage them to move laterally, step up in the pocket, or scramble when necessary. By practicing the ability to evade pass rushers, your child will become more confident and improve their ability to extend plays.
Build Arm Strength
Include Weightlifting and Resistance Training
Building arm strength is crucial for a quarterback. Incorporate weightlifting exercises that focus on the upper body, such as shoulder presses, bicep curls, and tricep extensions. Resistance bands are also an effective tool for building arm strength. Have your child perform exercises like band pulls, band rotations, and band extensions to target the muscles used in throwing.
Focus on Core Strength and Stability
A strong core is essential for generating power and stability in a quarterback’s throws. Incorporate exercises that focus on building core strength, such as planks, Russian twists, and medicine ball throws. By targeting the core muscles, your child will improve their ability to generate power in their throws and maintain proper mechanics.
Use Medicine Balls for Rotational Power
Medicine balls are a great tool for building rotational power, which is essential for a quarterback’s arm strength. Incorporate exercises like rotational throws, side throws, and overhead slams using medicine balls to target the muscles used in throwing. By incorporating medicine ball exercises into their training routine, your child will develop rotational power and enhance their throwing strength.
Incorporate Plyometric Exercises
Plyometric exercises are a great way to build explosive power in a quarterback’s throws. Incorporate exercises like box jumps, medicine ball slams, and clap push-ups to improve your child’s explosiveness. These exercises will help them generate power in their throws and add velocity to their passes.
Teach Proper Throwing Mechanics
Work on Proper Follow-Through
A proper follow-through is essential for a quarterback to achieve accuracy and power in their throws. Teach your child to extend their throwing arm fully after the release, with the thumb pointing down towards the ground and the fingers following through towards the target. Encourage them to practice the follow-through repeatedly to develop consistency in their throwing mechanics.
Emphasize Proper Weight Transfer
Proper weight transfer is crucial for generating power and accuracy in a quarterback’s throws. Teach your child to transfer their weight from their back foot to their front foot as they release the ball. Emphasize the importance of a strong base and maintaining balance throughout the throwing motion. By focusing on proper weight transfer, your child will improve their throwing mechanics and generate more power in their throws.
Teach Throwing Motion Fundamentals
To ensure proper throwing mechanics, it’s important to teach your child the fundamentals of a throwing motion. Start with a relaxed stance, with the feet shoulder-width apart and the knees slightly bent. Teach them to bring the ball back to their ear, with the elbow at a 90-degree angle. As they begin to throw, emphasize the importance of a smooth and fluid motion, with the arm coming forward and extending fully upon release. By teaching the proper fundamentals of a throwing motion, your child will develop consistent and efficient mechanics.
Correct Bad Habits and Form
Throughout your child’s quarterback training, be vigilant in identifying and correcting any bad habits or form issues. Observe their throws and mechanics closely, and provide feedback and guidance to help them make the necessary adjustments. Encourage them to listen to any feedback from their coaches or mentors, as constructive criticism is essential for improvement. By addressing and correcting bad habits early on, your child will develop proper form and mechanics, setting a solid foundation for their quarterback skills.
Develop Communication Skills
Work on Non-Verbal Signals and Gestures
Effective communication is essential for a quarterback to lead their team on the field. Work with your child on non-verbal signals and gestures, such as hand signals or head nods, to communicate with their teammates without speaking. Teach them the meanings of different signals and gestures, and practice using them in different scenarios. By developing non-verbal communication skills, your child will become a better leader and facilitate efficient communication with their teammates.
Practice Audibles and Play Calling
Audibles and play calling are an important part of a quarterback’s role. Teach your child different audibles and plays, and practice calling them during practice sessions. Help them understand the reasoning behind different play calls and encourage them to make adjustments based on the defensive alignment. By practicing audibles and play calling, your child will become more confident in directing the offense and making necessary adjustments on the field.
Emphasize Clear and Concise Communication
Clear and concise communication is essential for effective leadership on the field. Teach your child to communicate their instructions and play calls in a clear and confident manner. Encourage them to use concise language that their teammates can easily understand, ensuring efficient execution of the play. By emphasizing clear and concise communication, your child will become an effective communicator and leader on the field.
Teach Leadership and Command Presence
Being a quarterback requires strong leadership skills and command presence. Teach your child the importance of being confident and assertive when leading the team. Encourage them to take charge in the huddle, communicate effectively, and display a positive attitude. Help them understand the responsibilities that come with being a leader and guide them in developing their leadership skills both on and off the field.
Study Game Film
Watch Professional Quarterbacks
Studying game film is an invaluable tool for a quarterback’s development. Encourage your child to watch professional quarterbacks and analyze their technique, decision-making, and leadership skills. Help them identify the strengths and weaknesses of different quarterbacks and learn from their styles of play. By observing and studying professional quarterbacks, your child can gain valuable insights and inspiration for their own development.
Analyze Game Situations and Strategies
Game situations and strategies can be learned by studying game film. Watch and analyze different game scenarios, such as red zone situations, third-down conversions, and two-minute drills. Help your child understand the strategies employed by quarterbacks in these situations and how they approach decision-making and execution. By analyzing game situations and strategies, your child will develop a deeper understanding of the game and be better prepared to handle similar situations.
Develop Understanding of Defensive Schemes
Understanding defensive schemes is crucial for a quarterback’s success. Help your child analyze game film to identify different defensive formations and strategies. Teach them to recognize the positioning of defensive players, their movements, and potential weaknesses in the defense. By developing an understanding of defensive schemes, your child will be able to make better decisions and exploit the weaknesses in the defense.
Learn from Mistakes and Successes
Game film analysis provides an opportunity for your child to learn from both their mistakes and successes. Encourage them to reflect on their own performance and identify areas for improvement. Help them recognize the things they did well and reinforce those positive aspects of their game. By learning from both mistakes and successes, your child will grow and develop as a quarterback.
Encourage Sportsmanship and Competition
Teach Respect for Opponents and Teammates
Sportsmanship and respect are essential qualities for any quarterback to possess. Teach your child to respect their opponents, teammates, coaches, and officials. Emphasize the importance of fair play, treating others with dignity, and displaying good sportsmanship at all times. By instilling these values in your child, they will become a respected and admired leader on and off the field.
Emphasize Fair Play and Ethical Conduct
Fair play and ethical conduct should be paramount in a quarterback’s mindset. Encourage your child to play by the rules, avoid unethical behavior, and maintain integrity in both victory and defeat. Teach them the importance of honesty, character, and the impact that their actions can have on the team and their own reputation. By emphasizing fair play and ethical conduct, your child will become a role model for their teammates and peers.
Encourage Healthy Competition
Healthy competition is a vital aspect of playing sports. Encourage your child to compete against themselves and strive for personal improvement. Teach them that healthy competition involves pushing themselves to be the best they can be while respecting and supporting their teammates. By fostering a competitive but supportive environment, your child will develop the drive to excel while maintaining positive relationships with their teammates.
Promote Positive Attitude and Motivation
A positive attitude and motivation are key factors in a quarterback’s success. Encourage your child to maintain a positive mindset, even in challenging situations. Teach them to embrace failure as an opportunity to learn and grow. Foster a supportive environment that promotes positivity, self-belief, and determination. By promoting a positive attitude and motivation, your child will develop resilience and the mental fortitude necessary to succeed as a quarterback.
Seek Professional Coaching
Enroll in Quarterback Camps and Clinics
One of the most effective ways to enhance your child’s quarterback skills is by enrolling them in quarterback camps and clinics. These specialized programs provide professional coaching, skill development, and opportunities to compete with other young quarterbacks. They offer expert guidance, personalized feedback, and a structured learning environment that can greatly accelerate your child’s progress.
Hire a Personal Quarterback Coach
For a more personalized and focused approach, consider hiring a personal quarterback coach. A qualified coach can provide one-on-one training, tailored to your child’s specific needs and goals. They can assess their strengths and weaknesses, develop a customized training plan, and provide ongoing guidance and support. Having a coach dedicated solely to your child’s development as a quarterback can significantly enhance their skills and accelerate their progress.
Join a Youth Football League
Playing in a youth football league is an excellent way for your child to gain valuable game experience and apply their quarterback skills in a competitive environment. Look for local youth football leagues in your area and encourage your child to join a team. They will have the opportunity to work with coaches and teammates, develop their skills in real game situations, and build the confidence necessary to excel as a quarterback.
Attend Quarterback Training Programs
Quarterback training programs offer a comprehensive and structured approach to developing the skills necessary for success. These programs often combine on-field training, classroom sessions, and film study to provide a well-rounded experience. Research and enroll your child in reputable quarterback training programs that can offer expert coaching, skill development, and exposure to top-level competition. By attending these programs, your child will receive high-quality instruction and training that will significantly enhance their quarterback skills.
In conclusion, teaching your child to be a quarterback requires a comprehensive and systematic approach. By starting with the basics, developing throwing skills, enhancing field vision, improving agility and mobility, building arm strength, teaching proper throwing mechanics, developing communication skills, studying game film, encouraging sportsmanship and competition, and seeking professional coaching, your child will have a solid foundation and the necessary skills to succeed as a quarterback. Remember to provide support, encouragement, and opportunities for growth throughout their journey, and enjoy watching their progress and passion for the game flourish.