Quarterback Training in Los Angeles
It is an important decision when deciding a quarterback coach that is going to help you or a loved one in their development. In this article we will go over some of the aspects of our training program to help young quarterbacks get to the next level.
Start With Throwing Mechanics
When creating our quarterback training program we began from the basics of throwing mechanics. Two important questions we asked ourselves are: What are the basics? and How are do we develop a program to get results regardless of the level of quarterback?
Quarterback Development Basics
When beginning to work with a new quarterback there are a few important data points we want to identify in order to improve their throw.
Wrist Flick
First we want to see the grip and wrist position during the release. I always tell quarterbacks it is easy to identify someone who has good throwing mechanics. Whether it is on the beach or on a football field the quality of the wrist flick is a quick an easy way to identify if a quarterback has had good training.
It’s All In The Hips
We have all seen quarterbacks who are throwing with basically all arm, some who even compete at a pretty high level. Long term in order for a quarterback to have elite mechanics they must understand how to utilize the ground and the hips while throwing. In addition to the importance of overall power the more a quarterback uses the lower body the less at risk for injury they are. In our training program it is important to coach both performance as well as injury prevention for all our athletes.
Efficiency In The Motion
What really separates NFL quarterbacks and youth quarterbacks in the overall efficiency of their throwing motion. A lot of the efficiency a high level quarterback has is achieved by all the training done in private. However, there are a few important actions that professional level quarterbacks are able to achieve that many young athletes do not.
Quick Release
At the end of the day in order to have an elite throwing motion you need a quick release. Most NFL quarterbacks are getting the ball out of their hand in under .4 seconds and the elite guys have a release time closer to .3 seconds. Many quarterbacks who are just starting out or have only got a few years of experience take over .5 seconds to get the football out of their hands.
Training Accuracy And Consistency
Another very important part of qb training is making sure the quarterback develops improved accuracy and consistency on top of power. The position of the wrist as well as the motion of the arm are both very important when it comes to accuracy. On top of that, head and eye position are also critical. When coaching young quarterbacks we put a big focus on stillness in the head as well as maintaining eye contact on a specific point on the receiver. For instance, the top of the numbers of a receiver’s jersey. The smaller the target the more likely the quarterback will be able to be accurate.
Footwork For Quarterback Development
When working with quarterbacks, especially when approaching the high school level or playing in high school a big separator between quarterbacks is the footwork. Playing quarterback is not only about throwing the football but also doing the little things to set up the run game and also get yourself set up for success with proper drop back depth and foot position.
I know personally the reason I started at quarterback in college was because of the footwork that I trained to develop in high school and youth football. I can not emphasize enough the importance of great footwork for quarterbacks at any level.
Take your Game To The Next Level
As a football coach as well as quarterback coach the main focus is getting the athletes I train with to the next level. In my experience with qb training a lot of what helps young athletes improve is consistently training the basics.
In this day and age it seems, the effectiveness of the quarterback training has more to do with how it will look on Instagram and TikTok in comparison to how will it helps with the athlete’s development. This is really negatively impacting quarterback play on the lower levels as we see more quarterbacks trying to scramble and make crazy throws like Patrick Mahomes or Bryce Young.
Not that those quarterbacks are bad but quite the opposite, they are elite. They have spent the time work with private coaches and group training events. They have invested into their development year over year so they have much more experience and skill. What people do not see is the hours put in to develop the fundamentals to then make elite throws on Saturday and Sunday
What To Expect In Our Quarterback Training
In our private or group training sessions you can expect to get specific coaching on how to improve your throwing mechanics from your feet all the way up through your arm, hand, release, etc.
A lot of the coaching and the training is formed from video analysis of the quarterback. We have found that in order to make the results as objective as possible we want to get as much data as we can. This is in my opinion the key separator in our qb training program. We push to get objective results for athletes.
How will you know if you are truly playing at a higher level without any numbers to back it up. This is why we calculate throwing distance, release time, step distance, velocity and a range of other numbers. To see how your skills develop over a period of time so we can adjust our coaching accordingly and to show you that the hard work is in fact paying off.
Strength Training For Quarterbacks
We work with a variety of high school football teams and programs in the area to improve their strength, speed, conditioning, etc. Every team that we work with has different goals based on their players. Regardless of the group we always have a different set of exercises designed specifically for the quarterback.
The strength training we do for quarterbacks is very specific to the demands they will have when they play. The training focuses on upper body strength in combination with range of motion with mostly power development in the lower body as well as core training. Where most strength and conditioning coaches make the mistake is training the entire football team the same as the quarterback.
The best way to set a quarterback up for injury is to put them on the same training program as a lineman or running back. The reality is they are two very different athletes and should be training as such. During the offseason make sure the strength training program includes improving range of motion in the shoulder and spine while improving core strength, grip and lower body.
How To Avoid Injury When Training
It is common for quarterbacks to get overuse injuries when training for the next football season. It is important for the coach to implement proper warm ups beforehand as well as a cool down at the end of each session. In both our group and private training sessions we make sure athletes take all the necessary measures to keep their arms healthy.
Additionally, it is important to maintain a healthy diet as well as receive plenty of rest each night for best results. We recommend athletes only have 7-8 training sessions every week which is including one rest day. On top of that, for youth and high school athletes we recommend at least 4 weeks of full rest every year or 12 months of development. This gives the body plenty of time to rest, prepare and grow in preparation for the next season or training program.
Common Questions
How Often Do You Recommend QB Training?
This is dependent on the schedule of the athlete and the time of year. In general we recommend at least 3-5 days of throwing in order to prepare the arm for the season. These do not need to be all high intensity training sessions but the more consistency the better for all athletes.
What Background Do You Have?
Well I played quarterback from youth up to the collegiate level. My dad is a legendary high school football coach in the Los Angeles area with many quarterbacks who ended up playing in college or professional levels. I also started training with a private quarterback coach when I was playing youth football as my dad was trying to prepare me for the next level.
Then while in college I attained my degree in Exercise Science with an emphasis on Biomechanics. While playing collegiate football I also interned at a Biomechanics Lab and even began my training career while working with the local high school team.
I have made over 250 videos on Quarterback Mechanics and an additional 300 videos breaking down the top professional and college level quarterbacks and identifying their key strengths and weaknesses. On top of that, I have over 1000 breakdowns of coaching different athletes to improve their throw, speed, jump and much more in a variety of sports.
What Type Of Results Can I Expect?
The results of the athlete will be based on the level they start as well as the commitment to the training. I have worked with many athletes from collegiate and pro down to youth and at the end of the day results are based on desire and work ethic.
In order to reach your full skill set and achieve an elite level status their must be time and sacrifices in order to get there.
With that said, when the athlete commits you will see increases of 10+ yards of distance, at least .1 second off the release time and elite level velocity on every level.
Should I Do Group Or Private Training?
There will be significant improvement in either the private or group training program. Depending on the skills and the experience of the quarterback would give me a better understanding of whether to recommend private or group. I will say you can expect much faster results with our private training than the group coaching.
Do You Have Online Training?
Yes we do online training along with in person quarterback training in the Los Angeles area. No matter what state you live in we will be able to accommodate your needs. We will also be doing a quarterback camp in a variety of different cities this offseason so check back to see if we will be visiting your state.
Link: https://www.throwprogram.com/throw60
What Age Should We Start Quarterback Training?
This is a very common question and it is a tough answer because at the end of the day it has to be about the athlete. We all want our loved ones to excel in sports but it has to be their passion as much as their parents, grandparents, etc. I have seen athletes with great potential stop playing because they lost the love for the game. My recommendation is separate play on the field from love and support at home. Youngest we have started with is 5-6 years old.
How Does Your Free Assessment Work?
For quarterbacks looking to start training we offer a FREE 30 minute assessment to identify the key areas to improve with the mechanics in order for the quarterback to get to the next level.
The important thing with this session is for us to meet and be able to get on the same page in regards to the training process as well as set up a program, schedule and any other necessary requirements moving forward.
How Do We Get Started?
Here Are The 3 Simple Steps You Need To Take To Start Improving Your Throw. Learn More Below
STEP 1. SEND IN VIDEO OF YOUR THROW
This is easy we send you a video to explain what angles to send and how to upload onto our server quickly and easily. You will be able to upload right from your computer or smart device.
STEP 2. RECEIVE BREAKDOWN
We will get your video back within 24 hours. You will get a detailed video explanation and report of what needs to improve. As well as drills to guide you in the right direction.
STEP 3 – MAKE THE CHANGE
Typically when working with a coach it takes months or even years to make changes in mechanics. With our 7 Step Throwing System you can expect results within the first 14 days. GUARANTEED!!!
Conclusion
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. Hopefully you were able to learn enough about the quarterback position to choose a good coach regardless of what state you live in. If you have any questions about our training or how we can help you or any athletes close to you get to the next level do not hesitate to give us a call. We would be happy to hear from you!
Coach Morey Croson
Head Speed And Quarterback Coach
Performance Lab of California
https://performancelabofcalifornia.com/contact-us/