QB problems

Question
QUESTION: Hey coach. Recently, I had a desire to play quarterback. I can throw the ball pretty accuratly, have a rocket arm, and can recognize basic defenses. I'm 6' and 185, and LOVE throwing it around. However, my coach thinks i'm fooling around and wants me to be a tackle. I think he said that because of my size. I am pretty big. I want him to think it really doesnt matter about size, so how do i get leaner over all. Does lifting short reps of weights instead of high reps help me? How do i get skinnier, or less buff? Thank you.

ANSWER: Dear Rocky,
The problem with some coaches is that if they do not see it on TV they do not want to try it. If every quarterback in the NFL was 6' and 300 pounds, that is what high school coaches would be looking for in their new quarterback. If you want to play quarterback and you are willing to work for it, I say go for it. However, there is a lot more to playing the position of quarterback than just throwing the ball.

As a quarterback what you need to know, is the defense coming after me, when and how? That is what I would want to know as a quarterback. A quarterback's job is to be a coach on the football field.

The quarterback has the most difficult job on the football field. He must be a confident leader, he must have good ball handling abilities, and he must know his opponent's defense. The quarterback must also know the assignment of each and every player on his offense.

The quarterback must spend time with his coach both on and off the field learning more about his opponent. He must learn, as much as he can, about what his coach expects him to do during the game. The quarterback must know the coverages by down and distance and have the skills to use pre-snap reads.

He must ask himself, what does my opponent like to run on first down? What does he like to run on second down?, what does he like to run on third down? Do they play run on the first two downs?.....

Does this sound like something you would like to do? If the answer is yes, let me know and I will send you a work out program along with some tips on how to play quarterback.

Your friend, Coach Louis

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Yes I would Coach Louis. I would really love it if you gave me a workout program, a couple of tips on how to play quarterback and some tips on throwing the ball and when to run it. Also, I was wondering where all the strength comes from when throwing the football. Thanks a lot. --Rocky

Answer
Dear Rocky,
This is too much information to put on just one E-Mail. Let's start by getting you in shape first. When you are ready we can talk about quarterback tips.
REMEMBER ONLY A DOCTOR CAN TELL YOU IF THE PROGRAM YOU ARE STARTING IS TOO MUCH FOR YOU. You need to get your PARENTS, your COACH, and your DOCTOR involved.

1. GET YOUR PARENTS PERMISSION AND ASK FOR THEIR ADVICE. THEY CAN BE OF GREAT HELP TO YOU.

2. TALK TO YOUR COACH HE IS THERE TO HELP YOU. HE WANTS YOU TO SUCCEED. HE CAN GET YOU STARTED ON THE RIGHT PROGRAM.

3. BEFORE YOU START ANY PROGRAM MAKE SURE YOU GET YOUR PARENTS PERMISSION AND YOUR DOCTORS OKAY.

REMEMBER ONLY A DOCTOR CAN TELL YOU IF THE PROGRAM YOU ARE STARTING IS TOO MUCH FOR YOU. IT IS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN TO BE SORRY!!!!!!!!!!

Try playing some basketball it is a great sport and it will help you get into football shape. It will teach you how to run back, forth, and side to side without thinking about it. Basketball will also help your coordination, quickness, conditioning, and improve your foot work. This type of workout is especially good if you want to play half-back, defensive end, and or defensive back.

You also might want to add handball to your workout schedule. Just like in basketball, handball forces you to run back, forth, and side to side without having to think about it. You just react to the ball much like in football. Handball can be of great help, to a football player, for all the same reasons as basketball.

Try playing these two sports, on regular bases, and you will get into fantastic football shape. You will also improve your coordination and reaction time. If you do not want to play basketball or handball try some running.

Start by running a 1/2 lap around the football field everyday. Be sure to sprint the last 100-yards of your run. This way you work on your wind sprints and long distance running at the same time. You want to be fresh in the fourth quarter when everybody else is exhausted.

After a week or so, when you feel up to it, add a half a lap to your workout. Keep adding a half a lap, every week or so, until you reach 3 or four miles per workout. Only workout once a day, you do not want to over do it. You want to build your body up not use it up. Be sure to drink lots of water, you will need it. And do not do all three work outs together. Just pick one and do it.

By the time you start football camp, you will be in the best shape of your life. TAKE IT SLOW. Do not push too hard and make sure that you get check by a Doctor first.


Your friend, Coach Louis