Defining, Evaluating, and Developing the Non-Physical Elements of QB Play – Part I

By Eric Marty, Head Football Coach

Reedley College

Often what we say we want in a quarterback (size, arm strength, speed, athleticism) quickly is replaced in the heat of a game with a desire for a player who can just make the right decision at the right time. All other wants are replaced by a desire for a quarterback who can just read ‘smash’ correctly on 3rd and 5 or win on zone read at the goal line.

Coaching quarterbacks must be approached uniquely because unlike the other 21 players on the field, it is not about using size, speed, and strength to be an impactful football player. Instead, it is the combination of non-physical skills, intangible ability, which are then combined with a requisite level of physical ability to ultimately determine the effectiveness of a quarterback. Standard practice templates (Indy, Routes on Air, 7 on 7, Team, etc.) without proper emphasis can neglect the non-physical elements of that the position so heavily depends on.

Consequently, I believe we have to intentionally plan the development of our quarterbacks. In this article I will try to emphasize a few ways we try to do that at Reedley College. As a junior college program, we only have two years with our guys, so accelerating their non-physical growth in our offense is paramount.

The following ‘five elements’ are what I believe when executed consistently at a high level comprise the pinnacle of quarterback play. Some of it is physical, some of it non-physical (situational awareness, communication skills, system mastery, practical application ability) and some of it is intangible (courage, poise, determination, work ethic, vision, instincts, toughness, improvisational skills).

The Five Elements of Elite Quarterbacking

1. The ability to have total command of the offense while gathering and processing large amounts of information and using that information to make accurate snap decisions in the 25-40 seconds before the snap of the football.

2. The ability to see accurately, completely, and without distraction from the pocket.

3. The ability to get the football into the hands of other skill players by working through pass progressions quickly, decisively, and correctly.

4. The ability to consistently deliver the ball to open receivers with functional accuracy.

5. The ability to protect the football and minimize turnovers.

There are other variables (improvisational playmaking ability, athleticism, leadership qualities) but I believe when deconstructing the best quarterbacks in the world over the last decade – these are the five areas that they execute at a higher level than their peers.

Here is how we intentionally try to develop the first three (largely non-physical) elements.

1. The ability to have total command of the offense while gathering and processing large amounts of information and using that information to make accurate snap decisions in the 25-40 seconds before the snap of the football.

Great quarterback play in any system begins depends on strong situational awareness, a mastery of the system (terminology, schemes, reads, adjustments), and the ability to consistently execute pre-snap responsibilities. Proficient pre-snap operation is far from easy but with mandated preparation, focused practice, and repetitions can grow our quarterbacks in this area.

Evaluating it: Evaluations of pre-snap competence exist on a broad spectrum from the junior varsity quarterback just being able to remember the entire play call to a professional quarterback seeing a 3rd down substitution package coming in, hustling his offense to the line and snapping the ball to get a 12-men-on-the-field penalty.

· What does the offense look like pre-snap? It is a reflection of our quarterback’s level of capability and control. Does he catch alignment issues and handle motions expertly? If a play call comes in wrong, does he catch it and fix it?

· When our quarterback looks out at the defense, does he just see a forest or can he pick out individual trees? Does he recognize one high versus two high coverages? Can he discern cover four from cover two? Is he a factor in the run game by helping identify fronts? Or by correctly knowing when to get the ball to the perimeter in the RPO game versus handing it off? When a zero pressure is developing, does he recognize it and attack it? Or is he a victim just obliviously holding the ball while the blitzers overwhelm the pocket?

Developing it:

· It begins with setting the expectation that our quarterbacks must master the terminology and playbook long before they ever step foot on the practice field.

o We provide learning aids (playbook, handouts, installs) long before practice one to take away their excuses for not mastering the offense. It also gives quarterbacks a chance to compete and separate themselves from their peers before practice even starts.

o We test them before they get on the field in a variety of different ways; written formation and play tests, verbal response tests, and take them in the gym and make them simulate pre-snap procedures – force them to master the basics.

o Why is system mastery so important? The most basic responsibilities of running the offense have to become automatic functions that consume little time and brainpower. Quarterbacks will never grow their ability at the line of scrimmage if they lack total recall of plays and concepts. If our quarterback has trouble remembering where guys line up and what the routes are on ‘Stack Left 362’ his situational awareness will be stunted because he is just trying to remember the play and not concerned about the down, distance, or defensive formation. Whereas if our quarterback has instant and total recall the second he hears ‘Stack Left 362’ he can focus on executing the rest of his pre-snap responsibilities.

· Clearly and concisely define pre-snap eye discipline expectations (Example: double-check our offense to the safeties, the box, the corners, then back to safeties).

· We try to be very intentional and vocal about giving quarterbacks verbal cues in practice (especially in the early weeks) as they approach the line of scrimmage. We talk them through where to put their eyes and call out what they should be seeing in real time so they can get a feel for correctly getting through the pre-snap process.

o We ask questions like, “Are your guys lined up? Where are the safeties? Is it one high or two high? What front do we have? Can we block the box? What is the safety-nickel relationship telling you?”

· Find ways to drill it outside of practice and games.

o We will ask quarterbacks to talk through the pre-snap process while watching old game film (and have even used the Madden video game to provide scenarios and visuals) and call out the various defensive characteristics they should be aware of. There aren’t enough real practice reps to go around so this a good way to manufacture reps.

· The last way is repetitions and time. Both as we all know are always at a premium. For all the simulated practice we try to have our guys do, they need team and game repetitions too.

To Be continued… Part II will be posted tomorrow