For a quarterback to be a successful passer, he must know the different pass routes that each of the receivers will be running. In football terminology, these patterns are often referred to as limbs of the passing tree. Each pattern or route not only will be given a name but also will be assigned a number so that the pattern may be called at the line of scrimmage during a game.
A quarterback must know the names and numbers of the patterns in order to call a play during a game, plus he must understand where the receiver will be throughout each pattern. Close work between the passer and the receiver, called the timing of the pass, is essential if the pass is to be completed.
Passing to Wide Receivers
One of the hardest things to learn about passing is how to lead a receiver. Most beginning quarterbacks find it difficult to anticipate the speed of a wide receiver as he runs a pass pattern and to gauge how far ahead of the receiver to place the ball. In order to help the novice passer develop pass timing and the techniques of throwing to a moving target, it is good to start with the "hook" pass. When run correctly, the "hook" pass should bring the receiver directly back toward the quarterback and not across, up, or to the outside of the field.
In setting up a wide receiver "passing tree" drill, the quarterback does not need to take a complete drop nor does the receiver need to run a full pattern. Our concern is with the final break on the pattern by the receiver and the final set, step, and throw by the quarterback.
Hook Pass
For the first pass pattern, the "hook," the receiver can line up, facing upfield, 12 yards from the line of scrimmage. He can begin to run in place and then on the command "Hut," he moves up the field two more steps, turns to the inside, and comes back in a straight line directly to should initiate his passing motion by the quarterback.
The quarterback lines up in a position four yards from the line of scrimmage takes a two-step drop, and plants his step at seven yards as he would on of the five-step drop patterns. Next, he should initiate his passing motion by stepping directly toward the receiver with his lead foot.
The quarterback should try to deliver the ball so that it reaches the receiver chest high. With the ball at this height, the receiver can protect the ball as he makes the catch. The worst thing a passer can do is to throw the ball high over the receiver's head. More often than not, this pass will go directly to a defensive player and lead to an interception. Also, a high catch puts the receiver in an exposed position. Ideally we want the pass to reach the receiver chest high, but if the pass is lower, the receiver can go down to make the catch where it is extremely difficult for a defensive man to make a play.
The quarterback must throw the "hook" so that the receiver not only makes the reception at his numbers, but also so that he has to come back toward the passer in order to easily catch it. In a game, this habit of throwing the ball so that it brings the receiver back toward the line of scrimmage will accomplish two important things. First, it will cause separation between the defensive player and the receiver, and second, it will decrease the opportunity for interceptions by the defense.
In, Out, and Up Passes
Once the quarterback is delivering the "hook" pass on time and with accuracy, we can begin teaching the other two medium pass patterns, the "in" and the "out."
The drill to learn these passes is set up in the same manner as above for the quarterback and the receiver If a young quarterback has not developed good arm strength, it is wise to shorten the length of the receiver's pattern by moving him closer to the line of scrimmage in his initial position. This adjustment is especially important when introducing the "out" pass. Instead of having the receiver line up 12 yards out, you might start him 10 yards from the line of scrimmage so that he will be only 12 yards downfield when he makes his final break to the sideline.
When passing to a moving receiver, the quarterback adjusts his throwing motion, beginning with the placement of his step foot. For the "in" pattern, this step foot should be aimed at a point six yards inside of where the receiver breaks his pattern and not directly at the receiver as on the "hook" pattern. The quarterback must release the ball so that he leads the receiver back to the inside of the field and at the same time, brings the receiver slightly back toward the line of scrimmage as he makes the catch.
The step foot for the "out" pattern needs to be directed at a point eight to ten yards in front of the receiver's breaking point. The difference in the amount of lead yardage between the "in" and the "out" pass pattern is based on the amount of time the ball is in the air and the distance it must travel for each pass.
Because the ball is in the air for a longer time on the "out" pattern, the receiver has a greater opportunity to run under the pass. This also gives the defender more time to react, so it is important for the quarterback to bring the receiver back toward the line of scrimmage. Again the pass should be chest high, but it is far better to throw the ball low and to the outside than it is to pass it high or behind the receiver.
The "up" pattern is a deep pattern that is best thrown off of the five-step drop that we have been using for the "hook," "in," and "out" patterns. While the drop is the same, there is one big difference in the manner this pass is thrown it is the first pass requiring a throw with greater trajectory. When throwing the "up" pattern, the quarterback must pass the ball in an arc, giving the receiver an opportunity to run under the pass and make the catch.
The vital stepping foot of the quarterback should be directed to a point five yards inside the receiver's path up the field. The quarterback should place the ball five yards in front of the receiver and five yards to the inside. By throwing to this inside position, the normal flight of the ball takes it directly to the receiver If the receiver does not run to this inside position, the passer usually will end up throwing the ball over the receiver's head, well out of bounds.
Throwing the pass too far to the inside of the receiver will also have undesired results, often ending up in an interception. Ideally, the ball should sail over the inside shoulder of the receiver and drop into his outstretched hands as he runs up the field.
For the quarterback to throw the "up" with proper loft, the point of the ball must be pointed upward at the moment of release. To accommodate this release, an adjustment must be made in the passing motion.
As the passing arm comes forward, the quarterback should get a little more bend in his elbow, bringing his passing hand slightly closer to his helmet. At the same time, he should cock his wrist a few degrees backward so that he can easily release the ball with the nose pointed in the air The quarterback will be releasing the ball at a higher point in his delivery, and his follow through will be pointed higher, down the field and not directly at the receiver
Play Football The NFL Way is the ultimate football manual for coaches and beginning players who want to learn the basics of football correctly. Author Tom Bass is a former NFL coach with more than 20 years of experience with the Cincinnati Bengals, San Diego Chargers, and Tampa Bay Buccaners. For a personalized autographed copy of Play Football the NFL Way, plus information on the new Coach Bass Sport Maps - football guides that aid in watching and enjoying college and professional football, 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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