Running Back Passes

Prior to throwing a "run" pass, a run-ning back may receive the ball from the quarterback by a handoff, a quick toss, or a pitch deep to an I-formation tailback. Regardless of how the running back gets the ball, there are critical techniques which will remain constant anytime he is trying to throw the ball while he is on the move.

The number one technique for the running back to learn is that he must 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. Failing to turn his hips properly will cause the running back to end up throwing across his body, resulting in poor accuracy and very little velocity on the ball.

Once the running back has good body position to throw the ball, the next important technique for him to learn is to step directly at the intended receiver with the foot opposite his passing hand. This step is essential to set the direction and establish the path the ball will follow on each pass.

The running back should continue the throwing motion by allowing his hips and belt buckle to initiate and precede his passing arm and hand. The young player should be reminded always to think of aiming his belt buckle directly at the target area anytime he throws a pass.

When the running back has started running to the sideline away from his passing hand, he often will need to get slightly more depth away from the line of scrimmage. This added depth should give the running back ample room to get his hips turned up the field as he prepares to pass the ball.

The actual delivery of the pass is greatly aided if the running back is moving up the field at the time he releases the ball. With this movement up the field, the running back's body will give added momentum and greater accuracy to the pass.

At the moment of release, the running back should be rolling over the foot opposite his passing hand and stepping directly at the receiver with his foot on the side of his passing hand. The ball should be released with good follow through, the palm of the passing hand turning naturally down toward the ground. The body of the running back should continue down the field and not come to an abrupt stop after throwing the pass.

Most offensive plays that are designed for the running back to throw the ball are usually option types of plays. If the running back sees that the receiver is in the open, he can throw the pass. If the receiver is covered, the running back should be prepared to secure the ball, turn up the field, and run for as many yards as possible. It is a good idea for a running back to think of this type of play as a run first and a pass second; in that way he will not be inclined to force throwing a pass to a receiver who obviously is covered.

DRILL:

Run Pass The running back begins the drill with the ball, so he does not have to be worried about taking the handoff or catching the pitch from the quarterback. Initially, the receiver should be stationary, turned, and facing the running back.

To give the running back an idea of the decision he has to make, the drill can be developed further to where the receiver will sometimes turn his back to the running back, indicating that he is covered and that the running back should run with the ball.

Once the running back has demonstrated that he has the techniques for throwing a "run" pass, the quarterback exchange can be added and the receiver can run his normal pass route.

Later in practice, another offensive player can simulate a defensive player by either coming up and forcing the run or dropping back in coverage, thus causing the running back to decide quickly whether he is going to run or pass the ball.

Any running back who is being asked to throw a "run" pass should also be cautioned about trying to throw the ball to a receiver who is in the center of the field or on the opposite side of the field. In order to make this type of throw, the running back usually will have to throw across his body, not stepping directly at the receiver. The result of this type of throw will almost always be either an incompletion or, worse yet, an interception.

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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.

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