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The Quarterback-Center Exchange |
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Written by Coach Bass
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Wednesday, 25 January 2006 |
Play Football The NFL WayOnce the quarterback has developed a stable, comfortable stance, he can move on to learning the method of receiving the ball from the center. The obvious importance of this exchange must be impressed upon the beginning quarterback. An offensive play has little chance to succeed if it begins with a fumbled exchange.
The quarterback must feel that he is connected to the center. He must understand that as the center delivers the ball to him, the center will not remain stationary. Depending on the play, the cen-ter may be moving straight ahead, to the right or left, or, in the case of a pass, dropping straight back.
The quarterback should take the time early in his career to know all the blocking assignments of the center so he can anticipate the center's movement without even thinking about it. The quarterback always must take the responsibility for not pulling out or away from the center too quickly. Controlling the football from the center has to be the number-one priority of the quarterback.
When working on these basic physical skills without the benefit of an actual center, a coach can take the place of the center and hand the ball to the quarterback. In that situation, the coach lines up in front of and facing the quarterback. Down on one knee, the coach can grasp the ball and lift it up to the waiting hands of the quarterback. It is important for the coach to deliver the ball in the very same manner as the center. Ideally the ball should be brought up to the quarterback's hands in such a manner that it is turned sideways and the laces make contact with the top hand. The fingertips of the quarterback's top hand should be over the laces of the ball. As the ball makes contact with the top hand, the bottom hand, which is the most important hand in securing the snap, should wrap around the ball to assure that the ball is completely under control.
As soon as the player becomes proficient at receiving the ball, the coach can increase the velocity with which he delivers the ball to the quarterback's hands. The harder the snap, the more chance there is for the hands to separate and the snap to be fumbled. The quarterback must understand this and be prepared to grasp the ball quickly with his bottom hand.
Once the ball has been secured, the quarterback should allow the middle finger of his passing hand to become the dominant grip point on the ball. Be-cause the ball seldom will reach the quarterback's hands in perfect position from the center, the quarterback must be aware that he often will have to adjust the ball once he has it in his control.
When the center is available to take the place of the coach, the quarterback should take his stance directly behind the center. Remember, the quarterback need only have enough flex in his knees so that he can comfortably reach his hands under the center to receive the ball.
In order to achieve good hand placement, the quarterback should place the index finger of his top hand (passing hand) directly on the center seam of the center's pants. It is important for the quarterback to let the center know that his hands are in position by exerting pressure upwards with the knuckles of the top hand.
Drill:
When first working on the snap between the center and quarterback, the center should move forward only one step after releasing the ball. As the exchange becomes more and more secure, the center can go through the entire range of movement that he will execute when he is blocking on all running plays.
The coach should call a play, making certain the quarterback knows the direction the center will move once the ball is snapped. The quarterback must gain a feel for the center moving away from him - either straight ahead, to the right, or to the left.
The coach should position himself so he can be certain the quarterback is not pulling away from the center while the center's body is moving forward.
The next step in the exchange is to have the center set back in pass protection rather than firing across the line of scrimmage. Now the quarterback will get a feel for the center's body coming back toward him rather than moving away. The quarterback also may feel the center's buttocks come down upon his hands as the center brings his shoulders, arms, and hands up to pass protection position.
Because of the tremendous importance of a good exchange between center and quarterback, the more practice time and the greater number of snaps the two men can have prior to actual team practice, the better off they will be. Remember, rather than merely going through the motions of taking the snap, the mental part of the game should be included by always calling a play and simulating the actual center's movement on the play. By doing this, the quarterback quickly will learn to anticipate and associate the center's movement on the snap with every type of play.
For a personalized autographed copy of Play Football the NFL Way, plus information on the new Coach Bass Sport Maps, please visit http://www.CoachBass.com.
For information on Coach Bass' In-Depth Coaching Clinics go to http://www.Takeaknee.com.
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