Becoming Quarterback

Question
hello, my name is chris brown i am a 5,10 170lbs quarterback and im a sophmore next year i will be playing varsity, next year though there are no returning quarterbacks i want to know if there are any drills, camps, workout plans you can give me in order to take my team to the championship

Answer
Chris -

Thanks for writing.  Well, as anyone who has read my previous responses knows, I am a big believer in a QB being a leader and a student of the game first.  The physical aspects are very important, dont get me wrong, but personally I would take a smart, knowledgeable QB over a dumb, athletic one anyday.  SO I have a few pieces of advice for you to think about.

First thing I would do is to get your team's playbook, and study the heck out of it.  AS the QB, you will find that all other 10 players will be asking you for their assignments. You will have to know what every player does on every play.  Thats a load in itself.  SO that is first and foremost. Also, you have to know the pass routes by heart.  You will not have time to find a WR during a play.  You have to know where they are gonna be before hand.

Second is to start watching films of last year.  Especially if you are going to be running the same offense.  Seeing the plays / playcalls in action will really help you fully understand what you have studied in the playbook.  Also, it will assist you inlearning reads against the defenses you will be playing.  That is probably the one thing that kills a QB.  Reading a defense makes the difference between a successful QB and a flop.  HAve your coaches give you the basics of each base defense, and coverages, then see if you can read them on film.  It wont matter how good you are physically if you cant read the coverages.

Physically, just stick with your teams workout programs.  You are already ok in size. Make sure your legs and lower back stay strong.  That will help you saty healthy throughout the daily beating of the season. Squats, leg presses, dead lifts, etc.  Also, neck machine and shrugs will help you not get your neck snapped on a blind-side sack. To increase arm strength, do a lot of rotator cuff exercises.  You can get some good ones off the net, just do a google search.  

Throw in the off season as much as possible, and try to get your WRs to run routes for you.  Timing is more important than arm strength, as you will soon find out.

Probably the most important characteristic you will need is leadership.  It comes with the territory as a QB.  The entire team will naturally look your way for guidance and leadership, so start now.  Lead by example as much as talk.  Be the first one in the weight room, and the last one to leave. Even if you finish early.. Help the others.. Give them spots if needed.  Things like that.  Anything you can do to show you are here for them, do it. You will be shocked at the response you get.  ANd as a QB, you want the rest of the team to walk through fire for you when needed.

There are a lot of camps you can attend in the summer.  I went to and enjoyed the Michigan camp when I was QBing in high school, held at the U of Mich in Ann Arbor.  Not sure if it is still going, but if so, it was great.  Also, look for offense-specific camps.  Whatever offense you run at your school there is probably a camp that teaches only that offense.  Look for it on the net, or ask your coaches to find one for you. They will probably be thrilled you are interested.

Be sure and keep me updated on how you are doing, and let me know if you have any more questions.  Remember, GOOD QB = INTELLIGENCE.  Never forget that.  It will make all the difference in the world.

BEst wishes

Coach Perl