Shotgun Movement & Pressure Techniques for Quarterbacks

by: Steff Kruck
Co-Offensive Coordinator/QB Coach, British Columbia Lions
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We have found it very important that we drill our quarterback on certain techniques that can occur during the course of a game that are outside the normal structure of our offense. These are situations that are outside the optimum drop back technique area. These techniques are utilized in situations that can occur anywhere from three to six times a game. Oftentimes these situations can result in big plays or help negate potential losses or momentum swings.

Some of these techniques include movement to avoid pressure, scramble, and sliding in and about the pocket. This article will deal with two of these situations: pressure avoidance and scramble. We operate almost exclusively out of the Shotgun formation. Therefore, all of our QB technique work is drilled from that point.

Quarterback Alignment and Stance

We align our quarterback with the foot of his dominant (throwing) hand at four yards in depth and up. We have found this prescribed depth is the best in the event of a high snap from center. We stagger his feet in an approximate heel to toe relationship. The hands are extended with the elbows bent. This enables us to execute all the facets of our offense with maximum efficiency. From this alignment we can carry out all of our primary drop back techniques whether they are a three step or five step drop. We will also use our play action and screen techniques out of this alignment.

Situational Drill Work

We have found in the majority of combined group work (skeleton, pass routes vs. air and team periods) that we can accomplish the majority of our traditional drop back technique footwork by drills and coaching. With this thought process in place we have devoted the majority of our individual drill work to movement and change of direction that will confront the quarterback. In researching techniques with coaches from the NFL, we want to have the quarterback move as much as possible in angles. This requires him to move quickly and decisively thus making his ability to make decisions and throw with the necessary accuracy. These situation techniques are merged with certain offense components during our individual technique periods.

Pressure Avoidance

We will discuss two drills we employ to prepare the quarterback for external pocket pressure: the inside the pocket movement and set-up throw and the inside the pocket movement and throw.

Pocket movement and set-up drill: The intent of this drill is for the quarterback to have to make a quick movement in the pocket and locate a receiver where he must set his feet and deliver an accurate throw. We will combine this drill with a route concept that is in our five step drop game. We will give the quarterback a formation and a route concept and have him execute his normal five step drop technique. After he completes his drop, he will sprint to a spot behind the LOS, set his feet and deliver an accurate throw. We will align a defender to play one of the two receivers in the drill to force the quarterback to make a visual read and decision. The additional coaching points for the quarterback are to keep both hands on the ball and deliver the ball with a high elbow release so that the receivers can more easily locate the pass with all the congestion. The receivers can be stationary (See Diagram 1).

Diagram 1: In-pocket movement and set-up

In-pocket movement and throw: This technique and the corresponding drill is the next progression from the above drill. The intent of this drill is to have the quarterback avoid perimeter pocket pressure, sprint up into the pocket and deliver an accurate throw while on the move. We again have the quarterback take a prescribed drop with a correlating pass concept (the drop can be either a three or five step drop). We also enhance this drill with a two-part receiver combination with a defender forcing the quarterback to make a visual read and react decision. The coaching points of keeping two hands on the ball and maintaining an extended elbow release so that the receivers can have the optimum vision of the throw are now reinforced (See Diagram 2).

Diagram 2: In-pocket movement and throw drill

We will then add a slide step in either direction in both of these drills in the normal progression (See Diagram 3).

Diagram 3: In-pocket slide and movement throw

Scramble

The next situation we drill our quarterbacks on is the out of pocket scramble technique. We employ two drills which make the QB change direction and leave the pocket. He will have to locate a receiver and deliver an accurate throw. All the drills are run in both directions.

Out-of-pocket and set up throw: In this drill the QB will take a designated drop and then with the intent of interior pressure will be forced to leave the pocket and scramble in a specified direction. As he leaves the pocket, and is in a scramble mode, he will set his feet outside the pocket and deliver an accurate throw. In this drill it is preferable to have a moving receiver. The coaching point, again, is for the QB to have two hands on the ball (See Diagram 4).

Diagram 4: Out-of-pocket scramble and set-up throw

Out-of-pocket scramble throw: This drill follows the above drill with the additional technique of throwing the ball on the perimeter while on the move. The QB is expected to abandon the pocket and throw to a moving receiver while he is also on the move. In this drill, a defender is added to give the QB a visual read-and-react key. As in the previous drill, the quarterback will take a designated drop and scramble in a specified direction. Based on the defender’s reaction, the quarterback will make his visual read and react key. Should the defender come up and move to the direction of the QB, he will throw to the moving receiver. Should the defender decide to maintain his coverage on the receiver, the quarterback will then tuck the ball away in his outside arm and run (See Diagrams 5 and 6).

Diagram 5: Out-of-pocket scramble throw

Diagram 6: Out-of-pocket scramble run

We will also drill the quarterback in the technique of burning the throw (throwing the ball away). This technique is especially viable when the QB abandons the pocket. Burning the throw is a vital technique because it can reduce turnover risk, reduce sacks, and minimize potential hits that a quarterback can take during the course of a game as well as a season.

In conclusion, these are a few examples of pressure avoidance techniques we drill the quarterback to be able to handle. We believe that it is important to drill these situations. Situations will arise at times during a game that can both maximize success and enhance the opportunity for victory.

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