QB Training Tips, Drills & Workouts From Steve Clarkson

Quarterback Drills

Posted on: March 2nd, 2024 by SC_admin

Learning effective quarterback drills is a crucial component of any QB’s practice regimen. Regardless of the player’s age, ability or long terms plans for the sport, the right QB drills can result in vast improvements on the field. While the personal QB coaching that takes place in our camps is the best way for a young quarterback to improve, you can start on your own by using some of Steve Clarkson’s best QB Drills. We assume that the quarterbacks that we work with have a good understanding of the fundamentals of how to grip a football, throwing motion and general quarterback mechanics these drills are going to increase the effectiveness of each quarterbacks unique skill set.

We are going to walk through a few of Steve’s best quarterback drills so that you can get the most out of your game even if you aren’t able to join our quarterback camps.

The Brady Quarterback Drill

With the “Brady Drill” you will be working on your movement in the pocket, your footwork and using your eyes to find your best target. Pocket movement is essential to success at high levels of quarterback play since the defense gets more aggressive, faster and starts to bring different types of blitzes that require quick thinking and pocket movement that allow the qb to escape but also maintain a strong base to throw from. You will also see that the more you follow your qb workouts routine, the easy it gets to quickly move and create a powerful platform to throw from.

The Brady quarterback drill consists of a drop, plant, hitch and shuffle that will allow the quarterback to continuing surveying the field while evading defenders.

The Sudden Change QB Drill

Pushing back to the side while keeping your eyes downfield will help you to dodge a attacker coming right up the middle. This is an alternative to hitching up when there is pocket pressure. It’s important to get your footwork perfect on this drill since you will be pushing back and want to end up on your plant foot directly after the shift. This is going to give you the fastest transition and speed up the release time. Steve takes into account the small details that are needed at the highest level of the game where tenths of a second are the difference.

The Ultimate Reverse QB Drill

Steve implements a drill that tests a quarterback’s ability to quickly identify their target. In the game of football, fractions of a second can make a huge difference. By practicing drills like this one, a young QB can tremendously sharpen their decision-making skills.

This is going to test hip flexibility, ability to quickly determine your target and to hit them in stride. Practice this consistently to improve quick reads, footwork and accuracy under pressure. Line up your receivers in spread positions behind you and start with a 5 step drop. Turn the hips and flip 180* as your target puts up his hand. You should keep a stable base and sound footwork as you crack the whip from your hips to your torso and through to your throwing arm resulting in a quick read and strong release.

Perfect the Quarterback Drop Drill

“The Drop” is one of the absolute most important drills for a quarterback to perfect. This takes place on most passing downs and can make the difference between a decent high school quarterback and a D1 scholarship quarterback. Watch how Steve ingrains the footwork of the drop, the position of the hips throughout it and gets his student’s to excel at this important aspect of quarterback play.

It helps to have strict rules in place and to make sure that the students know when they are nailing the drop and when their technique is getting sloppy. Use this drill to get comfortable with your drops and get to the best position to see and hit your receivers on the move.

Youth Quarterback Camps

High School Quarterback Drills

The majority of drills taught by coaches at public schools simply aren’t enough to help a promising QB unleash his full potential. In fact, many school teams don’t offer separate instruction for quarterbacks at all. They just lump it all in with the regular team practice that all the other players take part in.

While team practice is very important, quarterbacks MUST devote separate time to perfecting the techniques and strategies that are vital to their position.

Here’s why:

QBs must have a precise understanding of timing during plays, in a way that’s different from every other position.
It’s not just about how well a quarterback can throw a football, or how far. It’s how he throws it, how he holds it, how his feet are positioned, when the ball is released, and how he moves the rest of his body depending on the exact play and position on the field. A good plan is going to focus on the QB’s throwing mechanics from head to toe.
Most school coaches provide the most basic tips for QBs, which they learned when they played in high school themselves – or from watching on TV. But for players to really shine, they need to learn and practice the quarterback training drills that the pros use.
Even if the team practices the same plays, over and over again, the quarterback would benefit much more from running specific QB drills that are designed to help him throw from both feet, improve his timing, targeting, speed, coordination and more.
More experienced coaches may know about common youth quarterback drills like the “one knee” and “two knee” warm ups, and various “sprint and throw” drills.

These can be very effective when implemented correctly, but they are only a few in a long line of advanced drills that every quarterback should be practicing. This is where a quarterback camp can be extremely beneficial.

High School Quarterback Camps

Football Drills at Quarterback Camps

Quarterback Camp Attending an off-season high school QB camp is a great way for youth and high school quarterbacks to learn and practice the drills that can significantly enhance their gameplay.

While your local recreational league may offer a summer football camp, you’ll want to look for a professional quarterback academy if you want to get truly valuable instruction.

Here’s what to look for:

Quarterbacks & receivers only

First and foremost, you’ll want to make sure the camp is designed only for QBs (with the option of bringing their own receivers). These highly specialized training programs enable players to practice the most effective quarterback drills, many of which are used in the NFL.

A focus on throwing, footwork and much more

Make sure the program covers all aspects of the QB position. Quarterbacks should learn more than just the best throwing techniques, but also footwork, movement of the hips and body, timing, chemistry and endurance-building drills, among others.

Professional instructors

You can often judge the quality of a football camp by the instructors who run it. Look for programs taught by professionals: those who have played or coached (or both) at a professional level, and those who are widely regarded as the best at what they do.

Recruiting process education

Elite QBs who have their sights set on a successful career in football should look for camps that teach more than just quarterback drills. If you want to know how recruitment works, on the college or professional level, then you’ll want a camp that provides education on this process and on how players can get noticed.

National exposure

Very few training camps have the honor of receiving coverage from top sports media outlets like ESPN, Sports Illustrated and HBO Sports. But if a player is serious about making a name for himself and being recognized on a national stage, then these are the programs you need to pursue.

Elite Quarterback Retreats

Learn quarterback drills from the best

Steve Clarkson Dreammaker is known worldwide for its prestigious football camps for quarterbacks.

Offering more than just quarterback drills, we help youth and high school QBs unlock their talent through hands-on training with professional coaches and former players. Our camps are based out of Southern California, consistently featured in top sports news media, and attended by young athletes from all over the United States.

Led by former NFL player Steve Clarkson – who has been labeled by ESPN as “the most powerful QB coach in football” – our programs provide intense mental and mechanical training on and off the field. Our camps, including the Clarkson Field Generals, Super 7 Maui and Santa Barbara QB Retreat, are widely recognized as the best training programs of their kind.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE QUARTERBACK DRILLS AT OUR ELITE CAMPS, CONTACT STEVE CLARKSON DREAMMAKER TODAY.

QB Training Contact

Quarterback Training Tips

Posted on: March 2nd, 2024 by SC_admin

As a coach or parent of a talented young quarterback, you want to help that player unlock his true potential and set him on a course for greatness in his football career. Having a QB training regimen is crucial for the development of proper mechanics and good decision making. Steve Clarkson DreamMakers has helped some of the most successful quarterbacks of our era train for the next step whether it’s for Friday, Saturday and Sunday night lights. Steve and his team have done this through there many nationwide quarterback camps and also through his private quarterback training services. Here are some important training tips from Steve and his team of world renowned coaches to consider in a QB specific training program for a developing young quarterbacks.

QUARTERBACK TRAINING EXERCISES

Without a doubt, every youth quarterback training program should contain a series of QB training drills that allow the player to improve his throwing ability and energize an offense. But it’s not just about how far he can throw it or even his ability to find receivers. These QB Drills should focus on the entire skill set that a leader needs to reach the next level.

There are many different dynamics to the QB position that players must learn, understand and practice, over and over again. Make sure you look for a football camp that focuses on a wide variety of drills intended to help several different vital components, including:

➨ Footwork

Quarterbacks can vastly improve both their passing and running game with the right footwork training. Players should work on several drills that force them to throw with their weight on different feet and even on their knees.

The ability to move in the pocket and keep your eyes downfield is one of the most important fundamentals. It is surprising how many QB’s are able to work around this due to pure talent.

However, when you watch quarterbacks like Drew Brees, Tom Brady and Big Ben command the pocket it is due to the hard work they do with footwork drills. Take a look at the footwork training exercise video above to help with consistent footwork.

➨ Timing
In the QB position, timing is everything. Good quarterback training and drills can teach a player exactly where to be during a play (down to a precise second), when to release the ball, when not to release, how hard to throw it, and how to become completely in sync with all the receivers on the field.

➨ Strength

Strength training drills don’t just help a QB throw harder or farther. They help him improve his timing, throw properly (using the right muscles), and build endurance. The average school football practice doesn’t have enough of this focused training to help quarterbacks obtain the strength they need to perform through the entire game, week after week. Using tension training and a proper workout routine is as important as ample warmup time to avoid shoulder injuries when testing the limits.

➨ Sprinting & Running with Passing

If you’ve ever watched NFL quarterbacks during practice, you’ve probably seen them perform many different drills in which they are running and passing at the same time, repeatedly, with another QB or a receiver. Good youth quarterback training should offer these same drills. From down-the-line sprints to “circle” running drills, this type of training can vastly improve a player’s ability.

This is only a short list of the types of drills that should be integrated into the player’s training regimen. You’ll want to make sure that you talk to the program directors to find out exactly what the player will be learning.

➨ Put it all together!
When you are dedicating yourself to a qb training regimine, you are working towards putting the complete package on the field. As you get stronger and drill these training exercises into your head you will find that they become second nature. Soon you’ll be able to put it all together like Brandon Dawkins does here:

Quarterback Drills

What to Consider When Choosing a QB Training Program

Are you searching for a private qb training or a quarterback camp? If you are then you may ask yourself the same questions that many of our top high school QB prospects asked before working with Steve.

Is the player hoping to impress coaches and scouts who will ultimately influence his future?
Are you concerned that the school coaches aren’t doing enough to improve the player’s skills and provide professional instruction on the quarterback position?
Do you worry that the wrong instruction could put the player at risk of injury, potentially ruining his season or his dreams of pursuing a career in the sport?
Does the player deserve more attention and QB specific training from experienced instructors who can groom him for greatness on and off the field?

These are all very common concerns when looking for quarterback training, especially if you have a player who is destined to become one of tomorrow’s brightest QB prospects.

But even if you have a dedicated player who just wants to enhance his game play to help his team win more games, then quarterback training is the way to go.

Not all quarterback camps are created equal, however. If you’re going to invest in private instruction (and in the player’s future), you’ll want to make sure you do your research to find a high-quality program, instructed by professional coaches.

Quarterback Retreats

BENEFITS OF QUARTERBACK TRAINING

Perhaps most importantly, private QB camps can help a player significantly improve his skills, which ultimately helps the entire team.

Quarterback Camp But for players who are considering a future in the sport, there are several additional advantages of attending a QB camp.

High school, college, NFL – whichever step is next for a young QB, a good training camp can help make sure he’s ready. Elite quarterback training camps help prepare young players for what to expect, and teach them the skills they need to stand out in front of coaches and scouts.

The best camps allow players to receive hands-on instruction from professionals who played the game themselves. Players discover their full potential while also learning the value of teamwork with their peers. Rising stars also learn how to handle themselves off the field, under the intense scrutiny of the media and fans.

These are all benefits that can provide a lifetime of rewards to any player – whether he decides to pursue a professional football career or not. Private, one on one quarterback training gives our young signal callers the best chance at becoming one of tomorrows top prospects.

Private QB Training

Training With The “QB Guru”

Quarterback Camp Steve Clarkson Dreammaker is widely considered one of the best quarterback training programs in the world.

Based out of Southern California, our elite camps provide players with the opportunity to build upon their QB foundation by training hands-on with professional instructors who have played and coached on a professional level.

Youth and high school players come from all over the United States to attend our events and learn from the best in the sport. Led by renowned coach Steve Clarkson, our QB training camps have been featured on ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and NFL network, just to name a few.

If you have a player who is ready to significantly up his game, contact us today to learn more about our training programs.

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