Passing on the Move

Many quarterbacks become comfortable executing a dropback pass or a play-action pass where they have the opportunity to drop, set, step, and throw. They find that with hard work they can achieve a proper delivery and a consistent throwing motion for all pass routes.

This comfort level can change dramatically when the quarterback is asked to throw the ball as he is running to either his right or his left. Then, the quarterback loses the luxury of dropping back and setting to initiate his passing motion; he must get his body in proper throwing position as he runs with the ball.

There are a number of different plays that require the quarterback to throw the ball while he is moving to one side of the field or the other. The type of movement pass a quarterback is taught de-pends to a great extent on the offense his team is featuring.

Drill: Passing on the Move
For this drill, we need only the passer and one receiver or a coach acting as a receiver. As in all of the previous passing drills, the quarterback needs to throw to both sides and all areas of the field because the mechanics of passing change radically when a passer is moving toward the side of his passing hand as opposed to away from it.

At first, it is best for the quarterback to open up, stepping first with the foot in the direction he desires to go. The quarterback executes a "sprint out" pass in this fashion.

This allows the quarterback to easily pick up the receiver in his field of vision on his first step away from the line of scrimmage. The receiver or coach should be in a stationary position 10 yards downfield, creating an easy target for the passer As the drill is practiced more and more, the receiver can line up just outside the hashmarks and move to-ward the sideline in the same direction as the quarterback's movement.

Regardless of the offense a team uses, there are some techniques that remain critical whenever a quarterback throws on the move. The primary technique a passer must learn is to make certain that he has turned his body so that his hips are facing down the field toward the opponent's goal line and his intended receiver as he prepares to throw the ball. If the quarterback does not get his hips turned and leaves them directed to the sideline, he will end up throwing across his body with poor accuracy and minimal velocity.

The next important technique is for the quarterback to step directly at the intended receiver or the reception point with the foot opposite his passing hand. This step establishes the path the ball follows on each pass. Consequently, it is necessary to take this step in the proper direction.

As in dropback passing, the hips and belt buckle must initiate the throw and precede the passing arm and hand. The quarterback will usually be in good position if he aims his belt buckle toward the target area. When moving to the side away from his passing hand, the quarterback will find that he may have to move a little farther away from the line of scrimmage so that he can have ample room to turn his hips and face up the field.

It is beneficial if the quarterback is moving upfield at the time of the pass. This way, the passees body adds mo-mentum to the throw. And because the body and passing arm of the quarter-back are going in the same direction, the velocity and accuracy of the pass will be increased.

As the quarterback delivers the ball on the run in his normal throwing mo-tion, he will find that he rolls over the step foot as he throws and steps with the foot on the side of his passing hand. As the ball is released with good follow through and hand position, the quarterback should allow his body to continue down the field and not come to an abrupt stop.

Most beginning quarterbacks get into trouble when they think their arm is stronger than it really is. They attempt to throw a pass while on the run to a receiver who is located in the center or on the opposite side of the field, and the result is almost always an incompletion or an interception.

In addition to the "sprint out" pass, there are other plays designed to get the quarterback to the outside and enable him to pass on the run. Each one is a little different, but the throwing motion of the passer always should remain the same.

Drill: Roll-Out, Dash, and Waggle Passes
The "roll out" pass requires the quarterback to roll to the outside usually behind both running backs. In this instance, the quarterback will momentarily have his back to the line of scrimmage and he will need to turn his head around to see the receiver and the defense. The "roll out" pass gives the quarterback the added benefit of additional blockers to protect him as he throws.

For the "dash" pass, the quarterback executes his normal five-step drop action. When he reaches the position where he would normally set up to throw, the quarterback hesitates and then escapes, running to either his right or left. This has the advantage of drawing the pass rushers in toward the quarterback and then allowing him to quickly move to the outside away from their grasp.

One of the best movement passes for the quarterback is the "waggle" pass. The "waggle" is a pass where the quarterback fakes giving the ball to the running backs who are going in the opposite direction and then, with one offensive lineman in front of him, runs to the other side of the field to throw the ball. Often the defense is caught off guard, moves in the direction of the running backs, and is out of position to react to the quarterback's throw.

There are some coaches who run a very similar type of action, only without the pulling lineman. This is usually called a "bootleg" pass. Because of the lack of protection, the quarterback usually has the option of passing or running with the ball on a bootleg. Whatever his decision, it must be made quickly or he will find himself buried by defensive players.

Throwing on the run, attacking and moving directly at defensive players as he throws, challenging the defense to stop h m as he moves up the field all these abilities are found in all successful quarterbacks.

It is not enough to develop only physical skills in a young quarterback. While he is learning footwork, body mechanics,and the proper throwing motion, a quarterback also must develop the necessary mental tools to lead the team.

The quarterback must lead not only with his complete knowledge of the game and his attitude in the huddle, but also by his actions when things are not going well. He must be an enthusiastic cheerleader, offering encouragement at the moment of adversity; a commanding general, telling the offensive players in no uncertain terms what they are going to do; and a taskmaster coach on the field, demanding from the offensive players that they give their best in the final moments of the game when they are dead tired.

In addition to all these things, great quarterbacks lead by example. They never give up and they are the first to jump up off the turf even after suffering a devastating hit by a defensive lineman. They have a toughness, courage, and confidence that is eagerly shared with each offensive player on the field.

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