The more game film players watch, the more visualization is enhanced. Not all quarterbacks have access to film study in preparation for an opponent. For those who do, take full advantage of the opportunity.

The reason for studying film is to gain more knowledge of an opponent, to put yourself in position to making the game plan work. Study to take advantage of what the team and your teammates execute well.

Learn the tendencies of an opponent. Know their weaknesses and be able to exploit them. As the week progresses, put these tendencies to memory. Visualize what to expect in down and distance situations, especially third down. Understand field position tendencies, such as:

• What will the defense show inside the 12-yard line?
• What will you see after a big takeaway and the offense has the ball near midfield?

Prepare for special game situations, such as the two-minute drill at the end of the game. Visualize calling a no-huddle play with 22 seconds left on the game clock and the ball inside the opponent’s 20. What is the call based on? What coverage tendency is there to pick up from film study? 

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By diligently preparing for each game, quarterbacks give their teams a greater chance for victory. Establish a weekly routine.

Here is an example to help organize preparation to intelligently attack the opponent.

• Prep day 1 - overview. Watch an opposing defense’s entire game against a team that resembles your own team’s style. Make notes on starters who do not show up consistently from one series to the next. Are they injured? Are they substituted for? Look for rotations in their defensive secondary. Personnel exchanges change match-ups that could give the passing attack an advantage.
• Prep day 2 – game situations. What can you expect on first down and all third down situations? What will you see inside the Red Zone, especially after a big gain? What is the first coverage the defense shows in this situation? Study their blitz package. What keys are noticeable before the snap?
• Prep day 3 - overview. Go back and watch the flow of an entire game. See how the opponent reacts to the ebb and flow. Do players fatigue toward the end of a multiple play drive? Do they play differently in the fourth quarter? Do they settle into predictable tendencies as the game evolves? Figure out their two-minute and no-huddle defensive plan.
• Game day. Visualize yourself cool in the huddle, cool at the line of scrimmage, cool on all third down, cool against the blitz and cool on the last drive of the game. You are one cool quarterback all right because you have prepared yourself for success. Remember, don’t be intimidated by what you see on film. Trust in what you're able to do, and come out swinging.

Game film reminders:

• Establish a routine for the week of preparation, and stick to it.
• Visualize the offensive attack and build toward what the offense does best.
• Spend time studying the secondary, especially corners for one-on-one routes and safeties for play-action passes. A passing game plan is based on attacking the weaknesses of the opponent.
• Watch the match ups: Who can you attack? Know the backups and their numbers in the secondary. When you see a backup on tape, evaluate his weaknesses and memorize his jersey number.
• What can you expect in various game situations?
• What must your offense do to help your team beat this opponent?

Terry Shea is a longtime football coach at the NFL and college levels, serving as the Rutgers head coach and Chicago Bears offensive coordinator among his stops. He currently is the head coach of the Boston Brawlers of the Fall Experimental Football League and has helped train many NFL quarterbacks, including Robert Griffin III, Matthew Stafford, Sam Bradford, Josh Freeman, Aaron Murray, Blaine Gabbert and Trent Green. Click here to view his book, “Eyes Up,”, which instructs and energizes quarterbacks and their coaches to improve on the field.