Teaching Proper Footwork to Quarterbacks

Footwork is everything in the world of quarterbacks. Without proper footwork, a quarterback can not deliver the ball to running backs, throw passes or even run the ball effectively. Teaching proper footwork to quarterbacks is not a glamorous job by any means, but it is vital to the success of your football team. A quarterback that knows where to put their feet is a leg up on most beginner quarterbacks.

The first thing to teach a quarterback about footwork is how to approach and step away from the center. More turnovers happen at the beginner stages of football right here than anywhere else. The center and the quarterback exchange is vital and the footwork can make a huge difference.

Have your quarterback line up under center and place their hands just under the crotch of the center. When the ball is hiked, the quarterback should take a quick “cheat step” towards the center. This is a stab step and not an actual step. It is just a quick jab step just before the ball is hiked. This prevents your young quarterback from pulling his hands out before the hike is there.

The next thing is coming out the exchange cleanly. The quarterback may have any number of plays to run, but their first step back has to be straight back. Otherwise, they will trip over pulling linemen, or step on their feet. The first step back is always going to be straight back and not to the side, even on a roll-out play.

There are three basic drop back plays for the quarterback. Here is a quick look at each and the footwork needed:

Three step drop – The three step drop is exactly what it sounds like – three steps back and throw the football. Young quarterbacks will not use this very much because it takes them time to find receivers at first. Still, it is effective when your quarterback is being rushed and does not have time to look for a receiver. This is usually used with timing patterns. The footwork for right handers is to step back with the right foot, then crossover the left, and then back to the right to plant and throw. They footwork for lefties is the opposite.

Five step drop – This is exactly the same as the three, but with five steps instead. This is the most common drop back pass, and is used often. Youngsters are very quick to adapt to this.

Seven step drop – Again, the footwork is the same but with seven steps. This is used for slow developing pass plays or to give a shorter quarterback more time to throw the football and better vision. Doug Flutie was a very short NFL quarterback that used this on almost every pass very effectively.

Once the quarterback has these drop back steps in place, you will then want to talk about their footwork in the pocket. Most quarterbacks drop back and then get what is called happy feet. That means that they are hopping around, usually waiting on a blitzing linebacker to nail them. The right way is to plant your feet, and turn to the receiver you intend to throw to with no wasted motion. The feet should be aimed so that proper follow through on the pass is possible.