Football Quarterback Drills to Improve Timing

It’s true that the quarterback probably receives too much credit when his team wins and probably too much blame then his team loses. However, it would be hard to argue that any other player on the field has more potential to win or lose a game for a team. That’s why football quarterback drills are especially important.

Timing Drill

Often a quarterback is asked to throw the ball to a spot and on time. The quarterback will just take a quick drop back (usually three steps) and then fire the ball. This drill will help get the timing down.

Receivers will line-up to the left and right of the quarterback. Then the first person in each line will take turns running a timing route. A quick slant and a quick out are two examples of timing patterns.

The players in each line should run different patterns each time and the quarterback should alternate throwing to the right and then to the left.

Ladder Drill

There are a variety of passes that a quarterback has to throw. This football quarterback drill will help him with all those passes.

Once again their will be two lines of receivers, one on the quarterback’s right and the other on his left. The first receiver will run the shortest pattern in the playbook. Then the next receiver will run the next shortest pattern and so on. All the way until the deeper routes (go route, deep slant, post, deep out, etc) are run.

Under Pressure Drill

Once the ladder drill has been practiced a few times and the quarterback seems to have a handle on all the passes, another dimension can be added to the drill. Each time a pattern is being run a coach or another player can quickly walk at the quarterback. The coach or player should walk right at the quarterback and wave his arms above his head. No contact should be made but every attempt should be made to try to distract the quarterback.

This football quarterback drill will help the quarterback learn to throw and complete passes while under a heavy rush.

7 on 7 Drill

There is nothing like game-like situations for helping a quarterback prepare to play well in a game. That’s why the 7 on 7 drill is one of the best of all the football quarterback drills.

The 7 on 7 drill has 7 players on offense and 7 players on defense. On offense there is a quarterback, a center, and then a combination of receivers, running backs, and tight ends (usually a tight end, 2 running backs, and 2 wide receivers). The defense will usually have 3 linebackers and 4 defensive backs.

With these players involved, passing plays will be run and the quarterback will have to go through his progressions and make the proper reads and the right throws.

It’s very important to get good quarterback play on the football field. To help your quarterback play well in the game, many different football quarterback drills should be run during practice. These drills should work on the variety of passes and situations the quarterback faces during a game.

Need More Quarterback Drills?

Visit Coach Steve's personal website for access to all his favorite drills and practice plans:

Football Practice Plans