Football teams ranging from the high school level down to the youth football
level will never be successful passing the ball.
Do you believe this? Many coaches and football bystanders do. I do not.
In my experience, if you're trying to have success with five or seven step
drops, then my opening statement is true. However, if you implement the shorter
three-step drop and roll-outs with your quarterback, you can definitely have success passing the ball with
youngsters.
Let's take a closer look at the types of roll-outs you can use with your youth
football team to gain those crucial yards necessary to move the chains.
1) Basic Wide Roll-Out
The basic idea behind the roll-out is to create pressure on the defenders to
make a decision on whether to defend the run or pass. At the snap, your QB
runs to the left or right behind the line of scrimmage instead of dropping straight
back.
As your quarterback "rolls out", the cornerback or linebacker in coverage to
that side must make a decision: Do they commit to stopping the QB from
running or stay in pass coverage?
If the defender stays in coverage, the quarterback can throw if the receiver is
open or take off and run if the receiver is covered. If the defender decides to come
up to stop the run, you may have a wide open receiver for your QB to pass
to.
2) Short Roll-Out
On a short roll-out, you'll instruct your quarterback to move just past the
tackle. This type of roll-out gives you the same advantages as explained in the
"wide" roll-out with the added option of the throwback pass to the side opposite that
of your QB's roll-out direction.
3) Sprint-Out
The sprint-out is a roll-out where your quarterback will take a quicker and
more shallow route along the line as he moves behind the running backs. Usually,
you'll have two or three receivers (half-back, tight end, flanker) on the play side run
quick outs or hooks so the QB can get the ball out quickly. You can also
have the quarterback give a quick pitch to a half-back rolling out in front of the QB.
4) Bootleg
Whereas in the previously mentioned roll-out types your QB moves
in the same direction as the running backs, on a bootleg he moves in the opposite
direction. At the snap, your quarterback will fake to a running back, then roll to the
opposite side of the field.
A bootleg is good in short yardage situations or at the goal line. As the
defense reacts to the flow of the play in one direction, your QB is moving
with the ball in the opposite direction and will usually find an open area in which to
run or pass into.
Some teams will have a lineman pull out to provide extra protection while
some run a pure "naked" boot where only the quarterback rolls opposite the initial
flow direction.
5) Waggle
There are different opinions on what constitutes a waggle. Some coaches call
it a waggle when the QB fakes to one or two running backs and then rolls
behind the backs as they all move in the same direction.
Other coaches call it a waggle when the quarterback makes the fake and then
moves out in the opposite direction as explained above in the "bootleg" section.
Usually, the pulling lineman is employed in this type of roll-out.
I've often found that young offensive lineman have trouble holding out
defenders long enough for the five and seven-step drops. Plus, the roll-outs
described above will most likely open up more receivers for you as many youth
defenders will get confused on whether to come up for the run or stay back in
coverage.
It's up to you, but if you desire success with passing the football in the youth
leagues, I highly recommend you get good at employing some form of the roll-out
into your playbook.
[END QUARTERBACK ROLL-OUT ARTICLE]
Matt & Dave run http://football-plays-and-drills.com and enjoy teaching football players and coaches more about the football plays, drills, fundamentals and football coaching tips that result in individual and team success. For our free report, "5 Keys to Discovering the Successful Coach Inside You", plus an additional free report, send a blank email to footballtips@aweber.com
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