Coach ,

Before we get into these routes that allow the quarterback to get into rhythm and build his confidence in the game, we would all agree there are “lay-up” type routes like swings and bubbles that allow the quarterback to drop back and get the ball out of his hand and get a feel for throwing the ball early in the game.

While throwing those easy ones is a good strategy, there will be downs early in the game where getting the ball downfield with a throw is warranted.  These three successful quarterback coaches share concepts they like to accomplish that.

Concept 1: Boundary Spacing with Man Answers

Joe Davis at the University at Albany likes the boundary spacing concept with man answers to the field as a confidence builder for his QB.  

The concept allows the quarterback to have built in answers to defeat both man and zone types of coverage.  Coach Davis explains how he instructs the quarterback to read the overhang defender as a man indicator as well as “hunting eyes” to see man indicators (is the defender looking at the QB or the receiver). Any zone situation allows him to work the OTB (over the ball route) to the boundary with footwork and eyes moving through the progression as he explains in this video (click image).

Concept 2: Access with Designed Boot

TJ DiMuzio, QB Coach and Pass Game Coordinator at FCS Monmouth University, likes to give his quarterback the ability to make a read post snap and then get him on the move with a designed boot if he doesn’t like that access throw.  While many teams will have a QB make a pre snap read, that can be confusing for a young QB in trying to discern whether it is a disguise or not.  Allowing him to drop and read the safety lets him know if he has his access throw post snap.  He can boot away from that side to other routes to the field.  DiMuzio explains the concept in this video:

Concept 3: Outside Mirrored Concepts with FS Read

Andrew Dresner, OC/QB Coach at the University of Maine, likes to use mirrored concept to allow the QB to read the free safety. 

The quarterback simply needs to read the free safety’s first two steps to know where he needs to go. This is not a full field progression.  The QB will work one way or the other based on the safety’s movement. The best part of this concept is it is a seven man protection to give the QB confidence in the packet. Coach Dresner believes in the concept so much that he will include 4-6 of these in the game plan because they are high percentage completions. He explains the concept in this video.

The concepts shared here are covered in these courses:

Get all three and save : QB SUCCESS BUNDLE

Whether it’s his first start or he is a seasoned veteran, finding a way to get your QB in a rhythm early in the game is important to his success and the success of the offense. Finding the concepts that allow the ball to be thrown down the field while creating confidence is the key.

Always be growing!

Coach Grabowski