How to Coach a Youth Quarterback

Coaching youth sports can be both challenging and rewarding. You want to develop the young talent to the highest level while encouraging the athlete to have fun. Also, keeping the youth safety must be of utmost importance, especially with a sport like football, since you don't want to put the youth's health and future career in any kind of danger.

Instructions

    • 1

      Show your quarterback footage of great quarterbacks on film before even heading to the field. This method provides the quarterback with a mental image of what the elite level of football looks like. Although the quarterback can't duplicate that ability right away, it provides both inspiration and guidance for how years of hard work can improve his ability.

    • 2

      Practice running and motion drills. Get the quarterback to move around from the snap position to practice footwork and movement in the backfield. Then, count off two to three seconds before he throws so he learns to adjust to the pressure and short amount of time to throw the ball. As the coach, you can snap the ball yourself, then count off the time by shouting out loud.

    • 3

      Practice throwing the football. While a seemingly obvious task, it remains the cornerstone of quarterbacking and cannot be overemphasized. Use the team's playbook and place cones where the intended receivers potentially catch the ball. Instruct him to aim for the target. If there are a couple friends willing to run routes that works great, but isn't essential.

    • 4

      Emphasize physical fitness and excellent eating habits. As a developing human, a young quarterback must keep healthy to play for years and years. Football demands tremendous physical output from its athletes and proper conditioning will prepare the quarterback for the long season.

    • 5

      Film the quarterback in action and review the film with him. When the quarterback views himself on film it will show him unknown errors in form and technique. This provides an invaluable tool for improving flaws and building skills and can be an enjoyable experience for the young quarterback after putting in hours of hard work.