My first year as an assistant college coach is one I will never forget.

The head coach always wore a hat with “FBI” printed on it. During a staff meeting, he told us it stands for “FootBall Intelligence.”

From there, I began developing football acronyms for players to use to better remember sometimes complex thoughts. Here are six for quarterbacks.

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DEA (Depth, Eyes, Alignment)

This is used to identify keys in order to determine whether a defense appears to be in zone or man-to-man coverage.

In the graphic above, zone is depicted on the left. Man-to-man keys are on the right.

• Depth. If the corners are seven or more yards deep in coverage, it is most likely zone coverage. If the corners are within six yards of the receiver, it is most likely man.
• Eyes. If the DBs’ eyes are on the quarterback, it is most likely zone coverage. If the DBs have their eyes on the receiver, it is most likely man.
• Alignment. An outside alignment by DBs on a receiver points to zone coverage. An inside or head-up alignment points to man.

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IRS (Initial Receiver Space)

After taking the snap, the quarterback should think about three things:

• Determine the deep shell. Is it one high or two high?
• Based on that, what are my reads?
• During the play, where is the open window, and is the receiver in that spot (if you look at receivers)?

Drill this every day at practice, and it will become second nature for quarterbacks.

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FBI (FootBall Intelligence)

This one is all about preparation, designed specifically for high school players and older.

Here are the themes that quarterbacks should think about when a coach says, “FBI.”

During practice:

• Come early and stay late. No one should put more film time in than the QB.
• Know the offense thoroughly. Study and know the game plan each week.
• Know the skills and capabilities of your teammates. Don’t ask a teammate to do something he is incapable of doing.
• Learn about opponents. Don’t be surprised during games. React, don’t think. What are the fronts and coverages to expect of the team’s tendencies, strengths and weaknesses of their defense?

During the game:

• Always know the score, position of the ball, down and distance, time remaining and time outs remaining. A QB should also know how many timeouts the other team has left if trying to run the clock out.
• Avoid negative yardage plays. It is better to throw the football away than take a sack. Know where the outlet is and when to run or get rid of the ball.
• Don’t waste scoring opportunities by being a greedy QB. Score points whenever possible. Don’t force the ball in traffic on a third-and-goal. Just take the field goal.
• Always encourage teammates on both sides of the football.

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TMO (2-Minute Offense)

Here’s what all quarterbacks should know:

• The rules for clock stoppages: official time outs, incomplete passes, out of bounds, measuring for first down. Know that the clock stops only briefly after a first down.
• What is the score?
• How much time is left?
• The number of timeouts remaining.
• Quarterbacks must make teammates aware of a situation. Talk to receivers and backs about getting out of bounds or getting down instead of fighting for yards and wasting time. Quarterbacks lead the team.
• If the clock is not stopped, line up immediately and run the predetermined or called play. If the clock is stopped, use the huddle and again receive play(s) from the sideline.
• When the clock is stopped for measurement or penalty, use a huddle near the line of scrimmage and be ready to play on the referee’s signal.
• When carrying the ball, get as much yardage as possible, and then get out of bounds.

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RDC (Reading Defensive Coverages)

This one is best explained in the graphic below.

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ABC (Cadence)

This one is great for youth football programs. Have code words for cadences to make it easy for kids to remember the snap count between the huddle and the line.

Practice it enough, and QBs can even change the snap count before getting under center.

• Apple is on one.
• Banana is on two.
• Cucumber is on three.