The intangible qualities of a passing quarterback inherent in an individual, such as intelligence, quick processing, competitiveness and decision making, are valuable traits.

From a physical standpoint, accuracy, anticipation, a quick arm and mobility in the pocket are extremely important. Arm strength is always an asset, but timing, touch and a quick release supersede arm strength. Most successful passing games evolve around timing: throwing the ball on time and on point where receivers can catch it in stride and run with the ball after the catch.

A productive quarterback is expected to lead the offense into the end zone and win games with his passing skill. To do this, he must be an accurate passer. The more accurate the quarterback, the more dynamic the pass routes an offense can install, because the coaching staff can expect the quarterback to be able to throw into tighter spaces within the coverage.

An accurate passing quarterback can consistency throw and connect with moving receivers. If the quarterback is not accurate enough, an offense must settle for pass routes that involve throwing to a receiver who is more under control, which reduces yardage after the catch and limits explosive plays.

As a quarterback, you must establish your fundamentals as your base. You must be fundamentally sound with placement of the feet, passing mechanics (proper transfer of weight), thought process and decision making. Most times when a poor pass is thrown, it means that the passer’s feet were not ready for the throw. Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young once said, “Put a camera on my feet, and I will know what kind of game I played.”

In football, when the feet hit the ground, there is action. So as an accurate passing quarterback, coordinate your throwing motion with the proper fundamentals built from the ground up.

Athletic stance

Once you have executed your pass drop, set your stance like a boxer: feet shoulder-width apart and a slight bend in the knees. Your upper body weight should feel like it is displaced over the balls of your feet. You feel the “balance” in you stance. You feel like a “cat on a hot tin roof.” You feel athletic.

When you ready yourself to step forward with a back foot push-off to deliver the ball, the instep of your back foot has dug in. Feel the transfer of weight from the back foot over to the front foot, initially landing on your heel and finishing over the ball of your front foot. Your toes point toward your target – ahead of target if receiver is on the move – creating a quarterback “stance arrow.” You are now a passer throwing with your feet first.

Lead step

While the arm, hand and shoulders actually throw the football, the feet and legs provide the base and power for the proper mechanics to deliver a pass with proper ball speed. The delivery of the pass is initiated by stepping toward the target with a short, controlled and directional step. As weight transfers, you hit on your front heel then quickly roll your body over the ball of the front foot. The lead step is short and must be practiced with great discipline. By keeping the lead step under your passing frame, your chin aligns directly over your toes. The feet are positioned within the quarterback’s cylinder of his body.

An elongated front foot with a wide base makes it difficult to shift your weight over the front foot in order to complete the throwing sequence with power. By overstriding with the lead foot, you can lock out the front leg, creating a downward pull in the delivery. This mechanical error causes the pass to travel low and short of the target. Overstriding can be caused by stepping forward too early. As you load the ball to throw, make certain the lead step is timed up and coordinated with the rhythm of your delivery.

With a proper short lead step of six to 10 inches, you have created a shoulder-width base as you ready yourself to throw. Keep both shoulders level and bend your back knee, allowing you to push off through your hips, creating the rotation and torque needed in your delivery. Finish your pass mechanics with efficient footwork, foot placement and foot transfer. Essentially, just put the foot back into football.

Stance arrow plus accuracy equals yards after the catch.