OFFENSIVE SKILLS S E C T I O N I I I QUARTERBACKS STANCE Stand up straight with feet even, shoulder width. Have weight even on each foot, toes pointing straight ahead. Bend knees, keep back straight and head up. Lean shoulders and head forward in front of hips. Extend both arms in front of waist. Bring hands together, below waist, with passing hand on top. TAKING A SNAP Line up behind center and adjust knee bend to height of center. Place the heel of passing hand on top of heel of other hand. Extend and separate fingers and thumbs. Press up slightly with top hand to alert center you are ready. Secure the ball with the bottom hand the instant it comes from the center. Shotgun From the shotgun, give the center a target. Look over top of center downfield to defense. When the ball is snapped, focus on making the catch and securing the ball. GRIPPING THE BALL First finger near the end of the ball, off the laces, across seam. Place middle and third finger across the laces on ball. Little finger should just reach and be on the laces. Feel most pressure between the ball and passing hand just behind the center point of the ball. May need to adjust grip to the size of hand but try to keep pressure in this area. 15
S E C T I O N I I I OFFENSIVE SKILLS QUARTERBACKS 3-STEP DROP Take first step with the foot on the side of throwing arm. Next is a crossover step with other foot. Hold ball securely in both hands close to the chest. Allow arms to move forward and back in a normal motion. Take third step with the foot on the side of throwing arm to stop backward motion. Step forward with front foot to begin throwing motion. Best used for short, quick passes, such as a quick out, slant, or hitch. 5-STEP DROP Take first step away from the center should be with the foot on the side of the throwing arm. Next will come three quick crossover steps beginning with the foot opposite the throwing arm. Hold ball in both hands close to the chest. Allow arms to move forward and back in a normal motion. Take a fifth elongated step with the foot on the side of the throwing arm to stop backward motion. Bring other foot back so that both feet are under hips. Step forward with the front foot to begin throwing motion. Best used for medium passes that require more time to throw, such as an out, in, hook, cross, quick post, or deep up. PREPASSING POSITION Have fingers properly located for a correct grip on the ball. Hold the ball securely in both hands. Keep the ball even with the middle of chest. Have both feet directly under hips. Have front shoulder and hip pointed downfield at target. Step forward with front foot to begin throwing motion. 16
OFFENSIVE SKILLS S E C T I O N I I I QUARTERBACKS THROWING MOTION Step directly at the target with the foot opposite throwing arm. Release nonthrowing hand from ball. Bring back throwing hand and ball. Keep the elbow bent on throwing arm. Have ball above the shoulder pad and slightly behind helmet. Move hips and shoulders toward the target ahead of throwing arm. Allow throwing arm to come forward with lower arm passing over and in front of elbow. Throwing hand and the ball should extend forward. Allow ball to come out of hand in tight spiral. Have throwing hand and arm fully extended and pointed directly at target. Allow throwing hand to rotate to the inside, with palm of hand facing down, to put a spiral on the ball. BOOTLEG Fake handoff to running back. Move in the opposite direction, gain depth and width. After fake, hide ball on hip away from the defense. Focus downfield and select a receiver. Turn up field with hips and chest pointing directly at target. Bring the ball up prepared to pass. Step directly at receiver with foot opposite throwing arm, moving hips and shoulders toward target. Use normal throwing motion coming over front foot. If no one is open, be prepared to bring the ball down and run. Best used against defenses that pursue quickly to run action. SPRINT OUT Take snap and open to the side of the sprint out. Gain depth and width. Hold ball in both hands at the middle of your chest. Focus downfield and select a receiver. Turn up field with hips and chest pointing directly at target. Bring the ball up prepared to pass. Step directly at receiver with foot opposite passing arm moving hips and shoulders toward target. Use normal throwing motion coming over front foot. If no one is open be prepared to bring the ball down and run. Best used to move quarterback away from defensive pass rush and give him a clear vision on one side of the field. 17
S E C T I O N I I I OFFENSIVE SKILLS RUNNING BACKS 2-POINT STANCE Keep feet even, width of hips, with weight evenly distributed on both feet. Have a slight bend in knees. Lean forward with upper body so shoulders are over feet. Extend arms down so that hands can be placed just above knees with thumbs on the inside of legs. Keep back straight and shoulders square. Have head up and look straight ahead. Be prepared to move in any direction. Best used in deep position in I, One-back, Wing formations, or when quarterback is in shotgun formation for pass plays. 3-POINT STANCE Keep feet even, width of hips, with weight evenly distributed on both feet. Bend knees so that forearms rest on the inside of thighs. Reach out and straight down with one arm. Place fingers of the extended arm lightly on ground. Fingers should be even with front of shoulder pads. Keep back straight and shoulders square. Have head up and look straight ahead. Be prepared to move in any direction. Best used in normal two-back formations. TAKING A HANDOFF The quarterback is responsible for placing the ball in the pocket formed with both arms. Arm closest to the quarterback forms the upper part of pocket. Raise elbow of the upper arm so that it is just below shoulders. Place forearm of the upper arm across chest. Angle palm of hand on upper arm slightly downward to grasp ball quickly. Arm away from the quarterback forms lower part of pocket. Place forearm of the lower arm slightly below and across stomach. Have palm of the hand facing upward. Secure ball by coming up with bottom forearm and hand and down with upper forearm and hand. 18
OFFENSIVE SKILLS S E C T I O N I I I RUNNING BACKS RECEIVING THE PITCH Turn body and sprint to sideline. Look back for pitch, keeping eyes on the ball. Position hands with little fingers together to receive ball. See both ball and hands at the moment of the catch. Secure ball in the arm away from the defense. Look up to determine running lane. CUT BLOCK Take a direct path at the man who is to be blocked. The quicker the blocker approaches the defensive man the better. Focus on blocking only one side of defender. Shorten stride in preparation to block, keeping head and shoulders in front of hips. Have hips over feet with knees bent. Make contact with shoulder pad and forearm to defender s hip. Allow helmet to slide to outside the defender s hip. Explode off of foot on the side of block and keep legs driving after contact. Best used against a bigger defender who is lined up on or just off the line of scrimmage. PASS BLOCK For outside rusher, step forward and in with inside foot and swing outside leg and foot back. Have position facing out to sideline, both feet square, slightly wider than shoulders. Assume position between defender and quarterback. Bend at knees, keeping back straight, head up and eyes focused on defender. Bring both elbows in tight against waist. Have forearms up with hands in front of chest. Keep fingers and thumbs up and spread with palms facing forward. Stop defender s momentum by extending legs. Strike defender in chest with palm of hand away from line. Hit defender s shoulder pad with palm of other hand. Push arms out to create separation and keep feet moving. Lower hips, bring arms in and prepare to block again. Keep defender from quarterback until whistle blows. For blocking an inside rusher step forward and in with inside foot then up with outside foot facing directly down the field. Best used against defensive pass rusher during offensive pass play. 19
S E C T I O N I I I OFFENSIVE SKILLS RECEIVING A PASS RECEIVING A PASS AT OR ABOVE THE NUMBERS Have thumbs of both hands together and touching. Keep fingers spread with hands open forming cradle for catch. Keep palms forward and wrist cocked back. Reach out so ball and hands are in vision during catch. Focus on ball. Secure the ball immediately after catch. Expect to be hit. RECEIVING A PASS BELOW NUMBERS OR OVER THE SHOULDER Have little fingers of both hands together and touching. Keep fingers spread with hands open forming cradle for catch. Keep palms forward and up with wrist cocked back. Reach out so ball and hands are in vision during catch. Focus on ball. Secure the ball immediately after catch. Expect to be hit. RECEIVERS 2-POINT STANCE - WR Stagger feet with inside foot back. Adjust weight over front foot. Have toe of back foot on ground for balance. Have slight bend in knees. Bend forward at waist so shoulder pads are even with front foot. Hands and arms can hang down or forearms can be raised up. Check with official for onside. Turn head to inside to see ball. Begin forward movement with a step by back foot. Best used by receiver who is split out. 20
OFFENSIVE SKILLS S E C T I O N I I I RECEIVERS SWIM RELEASE - WR & TE Take quick inside step with back foot. Take a long second step with outside foot. Drive outside hand and forearm down on outside forearm of defensive man. Push defender s hand and arm into his chest. Step outside of defender with inside foot. Reach over defender s outside shoulder with inside arm, driving elbow into his back. Drive inside leg and hips to the outside and past defender. Run designated pass pattern up the field. Best used against defender who lines up in front of receiver and is the same height or shorter. RIP RELEASE - WR & TE Take a quick inside step with back foot. Take a long second step with outside foot. Drive outside hand and arm into outside-under part of defender s shoulder pad. Push shoulder and arm up. Step outside of defender with inside foot. Drop inside hip and shoulder and rip inside arm under and past outside of defender. Bow back and push back with shoulders and neck. Drive inside leg and hips past defender. Run designated pass pattern up the field. Best used against defender who lines up in front of receiver and is taller than receiver. OFFENSIVE LINE 4-POINT STANCE Stand up with feet even and width of hips. Bend knees so forearms rest on the inside of thighs. Reach straight out with both hands. Place hands on ground slightly ahead of shoulder pads. Shoulders should be even with the back straight. Have weight on hands and balls of feet. Keep head up and eyes straight ahead. Anticipate direction of block and listen for snap count. Best suited for straight ahead blocking and for short-yardage and goal-line plays. 21
S E C T I O N I I I OFFENSIVE SKILLS OFFENSIVE LINE 3-POINT STANCE Stand up with feet even and hip width. Take small step back with outside foot so that the toe is even with instep of other foot. Bend knees so forearms rest on the inside of thighs. Reach straight out with hand on the side of foot that is back. Place hand on ground slightly ahead of shoulder pads. Keep shoulders even with back straight. Have weight on hand and balls of feet. Keep head up and eyes straight ahead. Anticipate direction of block and listen for snap count. Best suited for blocking that requires movement forward and to left and right. Can also be used by tight end or receiver as wing. 2-POINT STANCE Stand up with feet even and width of hips. Take small step back with outside foot so that toe is even with instep of other foot. Bend knees slightly with weight even on both feet. Bend arms at elbows bringing forearms and hands up and in front of chest. Open and spread fingers with palms facing forward. Keep shoulders even with back straight. Keep head up and eyes straight ahead. Anticipate direction of block and listen for snap count. Best suited for pass protection blocking that requires backward movement. DRIVE BLOCK 22 Start moving using short step with back foot on snap count. Stay low and aim to get under defender s shoulder pads. Keep wide base, feet spread apart, and take short steps. Keep shoulders square, back straight, head up, and eyes focused on defender. Anticipate contact on second step. Have elbows close to sides of body. Drive forward with both arms and hands into defender s chest. Push up and forward with hips to lift defender. Keep driving legs all through the block and move defender back. Best used for blocking defensive man directly in front of blocker either on or off the line of scrimmage.
OFFENSIVE SKILLS S E C T I O N I I I OFFENSIVE LINE REACH BLOCK Take short lateral step with foot on side of defender. Stay low and aim to get under defender s shoulder pads. Make second step directly at defender Drive palm of far arm into defender s chest. Stop defender s forward movement and continue to drive feet. Get in front of defender and drive other hand into his chest. Push up and forward with hips to lift defender. Keep driving legs all through the block and move defender back. Best used for blocking defensive man located out side of blocker either on or off the line of scrimmage. ANGLE BLOCK Take short lateral step down line of scrimmage with foot on side of defender. Stay low and aim to get under defender s shoulder pads. Anticipate forward movement of defender. Keep head in front of defender. Position body into the side of defender on second step. Explode with shoulder pad and drive palm of hand on side of second step into the side of defender. Push hips forward and drive defender down the line. Stay low and take short steps. Best used for blocking defensive man located in front of another offensive lineman either to the right or left of blocker on the line of scrimmage. DOUBLE TEAM BLOCK Combination of DRIVE & ANGLE BLOCK Drive blocker takes short position step with foot on side of angle blocker. Angle blocker takes short position step with foot on side of drive blocker. Stay low and aim to get under defender s shoulder pads. Explode into defender on second step. Bring hips and shoulders together. Push hips forward and drive defender back and down the line. Stay low and take short continuous steps. Best used against a defender who is lined up on one blocker and must be driven off the line of scrimmage for play s success. 23
S E C T I O N I I I OFFENSIVE SKILLS OFFENSIVE LINE PULLING FOOTWORK Push off and back with hand on the ground. Take short step with foot in direction of charge. Swing arm and shoulder, on side of step, back and around with a quick hard motion. Shove off of opposite foot. Stay low and shorten stride in preparation of contact. Stay to the inside of the play and block with shoulder on side of defender. Keep back straight. Have head up and eyes focused on center of defender s chest. Use DRIVE BLOCK technique to make block. Best used against a defender who charges across line. PASS BLOCKING Push back with down hand. Take short step back and in with inside foot. Bend knees to lower hips. Keep back straight, head up, eyes focused straight ahead. Bring both elbows in tight against waist. Have forearms up with hands in front of chest. Keep fingers and thumbs up and spread with palms facing forward. Stop defender s momentum by extending legs. Strike defender in chest with palms of both hands. Push arms out creating separation and keep feet moving. Lower hips, bring arms in and prepare to block again. Keep defender from quarterback until whistle blows. Best used against defensive pass rusher during offensive pass play. THE SNAP Start in 4-point stance. Keep head up. Place ball under hand that is to generate snap. Have laces of ball opposite side of snapping hand. Keep snapping hand on outside and slightly to front of ball. Have fingers securely under ball with thumb on top. Bring ball up and turn sideways so that laces are on top hand of quarterback. Practice snap moving to right, left, forward, and back. Snapping the ball on time is center s primary job. During the week, it is good for every offensive lineman to practice snapping the ball. 24