The Drills Report

This month’s drills are from George Godsey, quarterbacks coach at the University of Central Florida. A standout quarterback at Georgia Tech, Godsey played for his current mentor, UCF head coach George O’Leary. Last fall, the Golden Knights engineered one of the greatest turnarounds in college football history – after going 0-11 in 2004, UCF hosted the Conference USA Championship Game and finished the regular season with an 8-4 record. Coach Godsey's drills are advance techniques and skills for the QB position.

1. C/Q Exchange Drill

(See Diagram 1)


• Objective: Develop consistency with snap.

• Alignment: Each center / quarterback pair should line up five yards apart

• Procedure: Begin drill with “Rapid Snap.” This involves the quarterback placing only his top hand underneath the center. This allows the center to focus on hitting his aiming point: the palm of the hand. The football should drop straight down directly between the center’s legs. The next phase of the drill includes executing a run/pass situation on the cadence of the quarterback. The drill will then move to the shotgun with execution of shotgun run/pass situations. In a full pad practice, nose guards can be added to ensure a game type situation.

2. Throwing on the Run Drill
(See Diagram 2)



• Objective: Develop consistency throwing on the run.

• Alignment: Two quarterbacks align 15 yards apart facing each other.

• Procedure: The quarterback with the ball will begin running toward the other quarterback who is back peddling. The ball is then delivered while on the run.

• Coaching Points: Ball should always be at chest level. Front shoulder should be facing the target before throwing the ball. After throw, follow through and continue to run at target; do not stop.

3. Line Drill
(See Diagram 3)



• Objective: Develop consistency and proper technique while dropping back.

• Alignment: Each QB aligns five yards apart.

• Procedure: Each quarterback will drop the width of the field while demonstrating proper technique.

• Coaching Points: Ball should always be at chest level moving only from the center of chest to armpit. Front hip should be open to see weak side flat defender. Drop should not drift from the line marker. Eyes should be looking up and not looking down the line.

4. Visualization Drill

• Objective: Develop a better understanding of defenses by creating a mental picture.

• Alignment: Used during Center/QB exchange.

• Procedure: An offensive play and a defensive front/coverage will be given to the QBs. After the snap of the ball, the quarterbacks will execute the right decision/technique.

• Coaching Points: We do not allow a lot of time before the defensive deployment is given and the execution of the play. This will speed up the quarterback’s mental picture.

5. FS Read Drill
(See Diagram 4)



• Objective: Train the quarterback to make decisions based on looking at the FS only.

• Alignment: Quarterback under center with coach aligned as free safety.

• Procedure: The quarterback will execute the given play while the coach executes the FS assignment.

• Coaching points: The quarterback must make the correct decision based on the FS movement only.

6. Movement/Evade Drill
(See Diagram 5)



• Objective: Train the quarterback to move/ evade in the pocket to avoid a rushing defender while keeping eyes downfield.

• Alignment: Quarterback starts under center, using extra QBs as rush defenders/ receivers.

• Procedure: The quarterback will execute the given drop back pass, while the defensive players execute assigned rush pattern. The quarterback will move in the pocket based on what type of rush he feels, not sees.

• Coaching Points: Eyes must always be downfield not at the rush. Ball must be tight to his chest and ready to throw, numbers high. Ball should be delivered once the quarterback has cleared the defenders.

This is the sixth installment of American Football Monthly's featured drill. Each month the latest and most innovative drills will be presented by Rogers Athletic Co.