If I was forced to identify one single factor most important to passing accuracy, I would choose the alignment of the non-throwing points. For a right-handed Quarterback, the four points are the left shoulder, hip, knee, and ankle. As often as possible, we should seek to have the Quarterback’s points aligned to where the intended target is (stationary target) or will be (moving target). A few answers to important questions:
WHY?: Consistent alignment of the points will allow for a weight transfer that is far more likely to prevent the front (non-throwing) hip and foot from externally rotating too far in the direction of the non-throwing side of the body. The result of over-rotation is often the ball being pulled closer to the mid-line (think of a baseball pitcher pulling down and in when breaking off a certain type of pitch) and the QB’s lower half not being involved in generating power in the intended direction of the pass.
HOW?: Remembering to move the throwing foot first, drilling four points alignment is simple. A Quarterback can practice alignment in multiple ways, including selecting landmarks to the right, center, and left of the QB’s pocket stance. On a verbal cue (or at random times, if training alone), the Quarterback moves the non-throwing foot, followed by the throwing foot, to get the four points in alignment with the landmark.
Alignment of the points has obvious benefits when the Quarterback is in a clean pocket with a clearing throwing lane. There are also advantages to this same alignment at times when throwing lanes are not clear and/or the pocket is crowded. The resulting lower or altered arm slot can be assisted by the ground-up power generated via proper alignment.
Please let us know if you have ideas for future In The Pocket blog posts.
Good stuff. Would love to see something about the fundamentals of an efficient/compact throwing motion – with an eye towards reducing the time between seeing an opening and releasing the ball.