Quarterback Drills – Footwork Drill and Throwing Competition

These are a couple of the football quarterback drills we use in practice. They work well and the players even ask for them.   The first one is excellent for footwork and learning to keep eyes down field.   The throwing competition works on arm strength and improving distance throws.

QB Footwork Drill
Have the QB take either a 3 or 5 step drop.
Have a coach with a pad rush him.
While he is doing that have 5 receivers (or however many you would like) in a line spread out across the field with 4 DB.
The DB’s will rush and cover 4 leaving one receiver open.
The QB must drop back while taking on the rush and find the open receiver.

It’s great for a QB on footwork, on taking on the rush and on keeping their eyes down field all at the same time.

Throwing Competition
Here’s a quick and fun “after practice” QB drill:

I’ve been told by pitching coaches that a great way to improve arm strength is by throwing for distance.

When practise is over, I like to challenge my QB’s to a throwing contest.   Choose a distance that is age appropriate.   I pick a spot that I think the QB’s can throw, and move back over time.

For example, start at the 25 yard line and throw the football towards the closest goal post (remember that there’s 10 yards between the goal line and the goal post).   The first one to hit the horizontal cross bar wins a Powerade.   Next time, start at the 30.

The drill is fun, and should help with both depth perception and arm strength.