Quick game is a staple in any offensive scheme for a reason: it gets quick yards and moves the chains when necessary.
In this article, we’re going to show you how coach quick game footwork and why you may not be timing your throws up properly.
Quick Game Footwork
In order to deliver the ball on time and effectively, footwork matters just as much as the throw. The longer your quarterback holds on to the football, the easier it will be for the defensive back to break on the ball. We are going to look at two different types of quick game footwork: 1-step and 3-step drops.
1 Step Drop (Catch & Throw)
Any quick game route or concept you’re teaching should be anticipated before the ball is snapped or soon after the ball is snapped.
In the 1 Step footwork, the quarterback is working from shotgun. From here, he will catch the football, take one drop step (or strictly pivot if throwing to the opposite side of the QB’s throwing side).
One drop step means he will simply balance his footwork to throw. Do not take a hitch step (sink into the back leg). This will take time as the body will dip, and the quarterback will often overstride when trying to throw (learn why overstriding is bad here).
The point of quick game is to get the hands to our receivers in space as fast as possible. Take advantage of the defensive space they are giving us and deliver the ball to an open receiver.
3 Step Footwork (Under Center)
If your team is an under-center wing-t or power run team, having the correct footwork for your quarterback is essential. They will be working off the 3-step cadence.
Why 3 steps? It creates separation from the line of scrimmage (in case your center gets knocked back), it allows the receivers to get downfield, and it gives your quarterback a throwing lane.
The way to think of the 3 steps is big, little, little.
The first step is a big separation step. The second crossover step is little and used to gather the weight. The third is to get the back foot in the ground to start the throwing sequence.
If you skip out on one of the steps, the ball will not be timed up properly, which can often result in being there too soon or too late.
Inside our membership vIQtory Pro, you’ll find exact instructions and tutorials on how to turn average quarterbacks into elite, confident signal callers.
To learn more quarterback techniques, continue reading here: