STRUCTURING THE QUARTERBACK'S OFF-SEASON

With preparation for 2024 well underway for many quarterbacks, let’s take a look at the “phases” of the off-season.

Phase I - Winter
This is the time to make those essential but difficult adjustments to mechanics and fundamentals. It takes time to get used to a change, and even more time to fully ingrain a change and make it natural. That’s why we want to get this done first, when we have the most time until our actual season and can separate our results (read: spiral) from the process. So, spend the winter working on mechanics and ingraining those changes using highly focused, intentional repetitions.

Phase II - Spring
Now it’s time to introduce a lot more footwork, which means adding a variable to our throwing motion. The first question we have to answer in the Spring is whether or not the mechanics we worked on during the winter are ingrained enough that they stay in place when we throw off of drops, deeper into progressions, and eventually off-schedule and off-platform. Beyond that, we need to start with good rhythm throws, throwing on-schedule through a progression, maneuvering the pocket, escaping the pocket, and making off-schedule throws, all of which help us bridge the gap between footwork and reads.

Phase III - Summer
With training camp around the corner, it’s time to try to add in all the variables possible to create game-like simulations. Practice your concepts, applying the footwork and mechanics you’ve developed, and simulate a rush and defensive keys, if possible. By the time you get to training camp, you want to feel like you’re seeing every play, and all the potential outcomes, for the second or third time, not the first.

Now realistically, none of these phases are as cut and dry as this. In the winter, even though the focus is on mechanics, you should still be getting a bit of footwork in. And, in the spring, when we flip over to footwork and progressions, you should still be reinforcing mechanics. Lastly, you should be studying film all off-season. That means learning coverages, breaking down your team’s opponents for next season (at least 5-6 times each), and reviewing your own game tape critically.

Just like anything else in life, you should create a plan for success. Use your off-season to level up your game, so next season will be your best yet. Ambition without action is just a daydream - no daydreams this off-season, just intentional improvement!

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