How to Be a Quarterback in Football

Practice the physical techniques required of quarterbacks until you feel comfortable with them. Perfect your stance by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, arms slightly bent and shoulders and hips dropped. Then get familiar with the proper hand position and carrying technique of a football. Make sure you handle the ball just right before attempting any plays. Work on passing skills by continually throwing to receivers, aiming just above their shoulders. Learn and practice footwork that will assist you in passing.

Spend time in a weight room each day building arm, chest and leg strength. Quarterbacks need both strength and accuracy when making football plays. Use free weights and machines to do multiple sets of exercises, alternating between muscle groups. Build accuracy through repeated passing-play drills, focusing on ball placement and timing of throws. Practice throwing while on the run, with distractions and under pressure to gain agility and adaptability.

Study all aspects of football and familiarize yourself with the dynamics of strategies and plays. Work with a coach on chalkboard plays and review videos of quarterbacks properly executing both common and tricky plays. Take notes on the videos, recording aspects of quarterbacks' performances that lead to successful plays. Obtain a football playbook, memorize the plays and review the book before practices or games. Continually seek knowledge of football-related topics that will perfect your game.

Adopt a leadership mentality in order to inspire the team members around you. When in a huddle, quarterbacks do the play calling and keep the other players motivated and on their game. Learn to coach players on the field, keeping them motivated with positive reinforcement, but also requiring them to maintain a high level of competency on the field. Use a vocal and competitive approach to facing competitors on game days.

Try out for a football team, once you have built a quarterback skill set. Coaches will look for well-rounded contenders who have the know how, attitude, strength and techniques of a successful quarterback. Use every opportunity at tryouts to show all of your attributes. During coach interviews, showcase a strong personality by answering questions with poise and confidence. While doing drills in tryouts, give your best performance by not holding back.

Try out for other positions, such as running back, wide receiver, tight end or offensive lineman, if you fail to get drafted as a starting quarterback. These positions all work closely with the quarterback and help familiarize you with that position. If you get drafted as a backup quarterback, use the opportunity to learn from the starter and eventually advance.