Dan Henning QB Manual

A quarterback must accept two facts:

* Knowledge, self-discipline and concentration lead to consistency. Only

careful and sound preparation will produce the results to develop into a
championship quarterback.
* You will be subject to more second-guessing and criticism than any other
player.

***A good quarterback has total control at the line of scrimmage***

Performance Characteristics

A quarterback has natural passing, faking, ball handling and play calling
ability. He knows and can read defenses. He can throw long and short. He can
drill and can soften and throw with a light touch. He sets up quickly
without wasted motion. He can pump the ball and look off defenders when it
is appropriate. He has quickness with arms, feet and hands. He gets the ball
away fast. He has a great arm and mind, a rare combination.

A good quarterback always takes inventory of himself. In the analysis of the

former great ones at the quarterback position, these qualities very
definitely prevailed. They always came off the practice field a better
player in at least one of these areas.

Having good arm strength to throw over the defense and complete the deep
pass really opens up an offensive attack.

Huddle Control and Mechanics

The quarterback must have total control of the huddle. You must always take
charge and have the ability to keep control. You cannot afford to be
distracted. Suggestions should be discussed on the sideline, not during a
drive.

You must stay away from the huddle until the play is given to you or until
you have reached a decision on what play to call. Once the decision has been
made, move into the huddle, call the play distinctly, never talking too
fast, and never lacking authority and assurance that it is the best play.

Once at the line of scrimmage, it is important that the quarterback be

consistent. He should always do the following, in the same order:

* Scan the defense

* Put his hands under the center

* Go through the cadence properly

* Be positive and distinct in calling the cadence

Good ball handling is the result of many hours of practice with a

quarterback and the running backs who will be executing the play together on
game day.
The QB-Center Exchange

Stance

The feet should be comfortably spread, approximately the width of the

armpits, with the toes pointed straight ahead. The knees should be slightly
bent to facilitate getting away from the center faster after taking the
snap. For balance, the body weight should be over the balls of the feet,
slightly shifted to the push off foot. The quarterback should always stand
tall, with a slight bend at the waist and a slight forward shoulder roll.
The hips should be lowered so that the knees are slightly bent. The arms
should always be kept slightly bent, relaxed, loose and close to the body.
This enables the quarterback to follow the center and adjust to the ball if
the center does not hit dead center of the top hand.

Hands

The upper hand should be pressed firmly against the center's crotch, wrist
deep. The fingers should be spread but relaxed. The upper hand should be
dead center in the center's crotch, with the wrist fitting the curve of the
center's behind, knuckle deep. Pressure should be applied upward. This is
the center's target. Make him feel the pressure. The thumb of the upper hand
may be under the thumb of the lower hand, with interlacing them an option.

The thumbs should be pressed together, or as stated earlier, you may

interlace the lower hand thumb on top of the upper hand thumb. The Lower
hand should face the center's opposite foot. The fingers of the lower hand
should be extended and spread, pointed toward the ground.

Snap -- Exchange of Ball

The center must adjust the laces before the snap. The QB must get the laces
where he wants them when he takes a snap. The QB must keep pressure on the
center's crotch until the ball is in his hands. The snap should be as hard
as possible by the center. The exchange must be executed with speed. The
ball must SMACK into the crease of the upper hand quickly. The center should
give it a slight twist so it fits the QB's hands.

The ball should be close to parallel to the ground at contact with the rear
point slightly upward. If the ball hits the groove of the upper hand
properly, you will hear the SMACK.

The QB should receive the ball "well up" into both hands. Both hands should
be just back of the middle of the ball. The lower hand should be used to
trap the ball. When the ball SMACKS into the crease of the upper hand, fold
under it with the lower hand. Both hands must follow the center forward.

Hand Off

As the ball is snapped, pressure should be applied to the center's crotch

while turning the head and shoulders to locate the belt buckle or the mid
section of the ball carrier. The quarterback should keep his elbows and ball
close to the midsection. The ball should be "looked" into the ball carrier's
midsection while making the handoff.
Faking

A quarterback must be convincing when he fakes by having the proper

attitude. A good fake can be executed using TWO HANDS, with both hands
remaining on the football or it can be done with ONE HAND, with the ball
held close to the body with one hand and placing the empty hand against the
ball carrier as he fakes by. When possible, follow a fake with your head and
eyes.

Offensive Huddle Drill

Purpose: To give the quarterback practice in stepping into the huddle,

calling a play, breaking the huddle in unison, and getting to the line of
scrimmage and executing a running play.

Equipment: Football

Procedure:

1. Offensive team huddles 5 to 7 yards from the football.

2. Coach signals play to quarterback from sideline.

3. QB steps into huddle and calls play and snap count. He then leads the
huddle break and moves with the offense to the line of scrimmage.

4. Once lined up, the QB calls the cadence and the ball is snapped on proper
snap count, and play is executed.

5. Entire offense, including QB, should sprint to a yard line determined by

coaches. Then they should jog back, to the outside, and rehudddle for their
next play as another offensive unit is running a play. No defense is needed
for this drill

Coaching Points:

1. Coaches should be sure huddle is exactly as they want it. As offense

breaks the huddle, it should be in unison as determined by coaches.

2. Every offensive player should sprint off the ball full speed.

3. Emphasis should be placed on perfect execution of the ball exchange

between the quarterback and ball carrier.

4. QB should always execute his fakes after handing off the ball.

Dropback Passing Fundamentals

Setting to Pass

1. If you expect protection, you must understand the area we are trying to
protect and stay there.

2. The width of the protection area is from the outside hip of one offensive
tackle to the another.
3. The depth of the protection area is 9 yards.

4. Setting to pass as fast as possible without losing body control will aid
your completion record. It gives you time to look to your receiver and
deliver the ball properly with the necessary timing.

5. The key to setting to pass with necessary speed is pushing or driving off
the right foot. It prevents sitting out and throws the body away from the
line fast. It also enables the quarterback to follow the center on the snap.

6. DISCIPLINE: the key to successful passing. You must accomplish the

following to become a top passer:

- Read the coverage before the ball is snapped. (Pre-snap read)

- After the ball is snapped, push of your key foot, the right foot.

- Get away from the line of scrimmage as quickly as you can.

- The first stride should be a long one.

- At the snap, you must study your reading area.

- You must use the proper footwork to fit the route run by the receiver in
order to obtain good timing of the throw.

- After reaching your setting spot, if the receiver is not open, move up
into the pocket for additional protection and time.

- Be certain to read the underneath coverage as the flare action (back

swinging) may be your best receiver.

- Throw or run at first daylight.

- 7. Our setup areas vary according to the type of pass (route or pattern)
being thrown. It is measured in length of stride:

- 1 and 2 (3 steps)

- 7,9,4 (5 and 2) (7 steps)

- 8,6,3,5 (3 and 2) (5 steps)

8. The ball must be held chest high and with two hands. Unless the pattern
requires pumping the ball, pound it into your left hand. Keep the ball chest
high and in both hands, ready to unload quickly.

9. Steps in drop must not be longer than can be controlled.

10. Setting up in the pocket must be done as quickly as possible.

11. Break your sprint back with the right foot and get cocked and ready for
delivery. Make a move into the pocket.

12. The key to good passing technique is to drop off to the required
distance with intense speed. Set up to pass in a good balanced position.
Keep the ball chest high: hold the ball with two hands prepared for a quick
delivery. Stay in the pocket and be oblivious to the rush. Put the ball in
the air at the proper time with the proper speed and trajectory. Accomplish
this and you have it made.

13. Types of Footwork on delivery:

Hit -Throw. The basic throwing footwork is to push off rear foot, step with
forward foot parallel to target and throw.

Hit- Hang or Sit- Throw. Hang or sit on a plant foot, and after hesitation
push, step and throw.

Hit-Shuffle-Throw. When you need more power, push off rear foot and shuffle
along target line, then throw.

14. Make your move up and out- never around. This will result in a big loss.
You must avoid the big loss. Second and ten is nothing. Second and 20 kills
us. Wandering off and running around rushers hurts us, and more especially,
you.

15. If you don't like what you see and can't go to your outlet, run-straight
away.

Coaching Points for Play Action Passes

1. You must be willing to take a shot at a touchdown from anywhere on the

field.
2. You must script and practice the play action pass you will use from
various field positions: backed up inside own 5 yard line, +50, +25 +5, goal
line, etc
3. Our best play action shots come off our three basic run plays: Counter
Gap, Inside Zone, and Draw. Use your best-run plays to set up your play
action pass game.

Good draw fake will freeze linebackers.

We have a great deal more variety than this, but these are three plays that
have been very productive "shots" for touchdowns on mix downs.