Moving Target

A quarterback who knows how to throw on the run will never be caught flat-footed
by: Jim Collins
Head coach, Capital University
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Over the last several years, no team in Ohio Athletic Conference has attempted more passes and completed more of them than Capital University. Needless to say, we are a passing team and philosophically go into every ball game thinking pass first and run second.

Our pass offense is multi-dimensional. We use multiple formations, but for the most part use one back and four wide receivers. We throw from a variety of launching points, use a multitude of actions, and run patterns designed for multiple coverages and blitzes. Our practices are organized to allow our quarterbacks and receivers to work on passing and catching about 90 percent of the time.

A big part of what we like to do is our sprint out passing game. We feel that moving the pocket to the outside brings the quarterback closer to the receiver and puts immediate pressure on the perimeter of the defense. We also feel that our sprint out game helps to get our quarterback away from the upfront rush and the blitzes.

Diagram 1A.

Diagram 1B.

Diagram 1C.

Our sprint out protection is simple for our line because it is basically the same as our outside zone run play.(Diagram 1) The front side tackle scoops the man on or outside. The front side guard scoops the man on or sets front side from the linebacker. If not threatened, he looks backside to help. The center scoops the man on or sets front side for the linebacker. If not threatened, he looks backside to help. The backside guard and tackle scoop the man on, but will give a little to form a wall to the quarterback's back. Once again, if no one is on and there is no linebacker blitz, they will look to help. The back or backs will first block any threat of the edge (first, the outside blitz, or second, the defensive end, who just beat the tackle's reach block). If not threatened, the back will also look for either a contain LB or backside.We want the ball launched on the run. We work throwing on the run specifically in an individual drill period with the quarterbacks 10 minutes a day. Our main emphasis is to make sure the upper body rotates so that the non-throwing shoulder is pointed at the target before the passing motion starts, and at the same time the lower body is running directly at the target. This concept is especially difficult to teach when the quarterback is moving to the opposite side of his throwing arm. He should be told to run at the target for a few steps after the throw is made to emphasize the correct follow through. We call this "chasing down the throw." This needs to be emphasized even more when throwing to the side of the throwing arm, because the tendency in this case is to drift laterally which will cause inaccurate throws.

The two best drills I have found to teach this are the forward and back drill and the circle drill. In the forward and back drill, two quarterbacks are paired up 10 yards from each other. The one with the ball starts jogging toward the other one who is back-pedaling. Using the correct form already mentioned, the quarterback throws the ball to the other one. Teach the quarterback to follow his throw for at least three steps, and then start back-pedaling so that the other quarterback can start forward and repeat what he has just done. Both quarterbacks will continue to go back and forth and we usually shoot for about 15 throws each. The emphasis is on moving to the target and rotating the upper body properly. I check each quarterback to make sure his feet are pointing at the target and not turning sideways or shuffling. One other coaching point is to make sure that the quarterback doesn't over-stride, but chops his steps a little as he throws.

Diagram 2.

The other drill we like, the circle drill,(Diagram 2) not only simulates the footwork we use but allows the quarterback to "chase down his throw." Using three quarterbacks, we set up two quarterbacks 15 yards apart diagonally. The third quarterback will be the passer. He sprints out behind the imaginary line of scrimmage and moves down toward the target. Using proper form to throw on the run, he tosses the ball to the other quarterback. To stress proper follow through, he continues running toward the quarterback and gets the ball from him. He then sprints to the quarterback who is standing at the starting point. We do two revolutions to the right and two to the left every day with each quarterback. After a few repetitions, the quarterback starts to develop the muscle memory for running at the target line and continuing through it.

Our sprint out package of plays will range from a five-step sprint out to a nine-step sprint out, depending on the depth and scheme of the routes. Our basic footwork has to allow for the quarterback to run at the target for at least two of his steps, therefore the depth of the drop will vary slightly.

On the nine-step patterns, we want the first three steps to be almost vertical before we get going laterally and then downhill at the target. We emphasize explosiveness. We want to beat the defense to the punch. We must break contain in order to provide the correct site line for the quarterback.

On the five-step patterns, only the first step needs to be vertical. Steps two and three are lateral and four and five are downhill at the target. Since we are only taking five steps, we really work on getting the upper body rotated quickly when moving to the opposite side of the throwing arm.

Our sprint out package begins with our flat route. It is the most complete route in our package because it is good vs. zone, man and the blitz. We run this play a few different ways and out of a two or three receiver look. We feel that it is good vs. every coverage if our receivers make the proper adjustments. Against the zone, the outside receiver will run the take off route and the inside receiver runs the flat. The quarterback reads the flat coverage and throws the ball on five steps.

Diagram 3.

When we run it versus Cover 3,(Diagram 3) it is the slot receiver's job to beat the strong safety to the flat. If he can't beat a man who 99 percent of the time is leveraged inside, he isn't quick enough to play for us.

Diagram 4.



Versus Cover 2,(Diagram 4) the outside receiver must release outside on the press corner. The quarterback still reads the flat coverage, but this time it is a press player. If the corner turns to hit the split end, the quarterback dumps it to the slot. If the corner allows the outside release, the quarterback fits the ball to the split end in the hole between the corner and the safety.

Diagram 5.

Versus man coverage,(Diagram 5) the outside receiver will run inside and serve as a screen for the inside receiver to lose his man and break free in the flat. In this case, we work hard on rubbing off our receivers and looking for the ball quick.

Diagram 6.

The second play that has been good to us is the double comeback.(Diagram 6) Although we convert it when we're up against Cover 2, it is great versus any type of loose coverage. Both receivers will run 17-yard comebacks while the quarterback reads the flat coverage. If the flat players stays with the slot receiver, the quarterback will get the ball to the split end. If the flat player widens and gets underneath the end, the quarterback will go inside with it. For timing purposes, we have found that throwing the ball on the ninth step should get the ball to the receiver as he turns back for the ball. We have found, though, that this is a route where timing is everything. We have sometimes had to shorten the route (for slower receivers) to 14 yards. And at times we have had to throw it quicker because we shortened the route to just get enough yards to get the first down. Nonetheless, it is a great route because it is difficult to cover when the timing is good.

Diagram 7.

The third play we run is the flood route out of a three receiver look.(Diagram 7) This play allows us to vertically position three receivers. The outside receiver will outside release and clear out the deep coverage. No. 2 runs a bubble route and No. 3 runs a 15-year speed out. Our quarterback once again reads the flat defenders. First, though, he will give a peak to the deep one to see if he ran right by the corner. If the flat defender goes immediately to the bubble route, a nice seam opens up 15 yards down field. The ball should be delivered on the seventh step. If the flat defender sinks vertically right away, the ball will be thrown to the bubble on the fifth step.

Sprinting is just one phase of our pass offense, but it is as critical as any other phase. I believe that every quarterback has the ability to throw on the run and in order to effectively move the ball it is a necessity.

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