This will be my final USA Football "Ask the Coach" column for 2008, but keep your questions coming and I will start up once again right after the first of the year. This is a time of year when you have the opportunity to enjoy watching a number of outstanding teams play the great game of football. I sincerely hope your favorite emerges victorious and that each of you has a Merry Holiday Season and a very Happy New Year.
Coach Tom Bass
We start this week with three questions concerning the QB position.
Hi coach,
What do you think about short quarterbacks around 5-foot-10? That's about how tall I'm going to be, and I wanted to know what a coach from the NFL thought about that. I have above average accuracy, but I struggle a bit on the long balls (usually overthrowing). I'm a dual threat quarterback, and I know I have what it takes to be a championship QB, but I don't think they'll want me at any higher level than high school because of my marginal size. If you were going into the draft and needed a QB, would you draft me based on the description you just got?
Hi,
Several questions I have concerning a quarterback of any height are whether or not he is accurate, can and does he lead the team, does he study and know the offense and does he protect the ball?
Height is something that can't be controlled, so the focus should be on all the other major components that go into being a good quarterback. How you play and understand the game is much more important than your height.
This should also be your approach. Stay focused to work on the things you can control, such as learning to throw the deep pass correctly by throwing it 5 yards inside of the receiver so the ball does not sail over his head out of bounds, knowing when to protect the ball by bringing it down, securing it and running for as much as you can or throwing it away rather than taking a sack or trying to force it into tight coverage.
There are quarterbacks your size playing at all levels of college football; it is their ability that puts them on the field. As far as the NFL Draft is concerned, obviously the size of a potential quarterback will become a consideration. You have many football seasons ahead of you before you will need to worry about the NFL Draft, so work hard and don't give up on your dream of playing quarterback. Keep in mind that you can always change to another position if it isn't working out.
Coach Tom Bass
Benjamin fromEast Fishkill, N.Y., sent the following question:
I am unsure of what position I should play. I am in sixth grade and am 5-foot-3 and weigh around108 pounds. I am somewhat strong butfast and have one of the highest endurance levels in my grade.My throwing is very accurate, andI playedQBand tight end.I know mycoaches will make the decision on where they best feelI will have success and help the team the most, but what position would you recommend?
Hi Benjamin,
My suggestion would be that you start with the two positions that you have experience playing and have knowledge about some of the skills and techniques needed to achieve success. I sometimes think it is easier to learn one offensive position - in your case QB - and then a corresponding defensive position (this could be free safety), where the knowledge you obtain on one side of the ball can be transferred to a position on the other side of the ball.
You can work on two offensive positions, but often it is difficult to be able to get your practice schedule organized so that you get complete coaching in either area. It might be easier to combine QB and WR rather than QB and TE so that you do not have to spend the time learning all the blocking techniques that are needed to play TE.
The great thing is you seem to have not only the physical attributes for the game but also the mental attitude that is so beneficial if you are to have success playing the game. I am glad that you are approaching the season with the idea that the coaches will probably make the ultimate decision on the position you play and that you have a positive attitude with this process.
Keep working at both positions when possible, go to a camp during the summer if you can and stay positive. I am certain you will have a very enjoyable time playing the game.
Coach Tom Bass
Mike from Youngstown sent the following question:
I'm 13 years old and in eighth grade. I'm about to go into high school having not played tackle football for a league, but I have played flag. I want to play starting quarterback, and I'm decent, but I don't throw a spiral every time. What can I do to train for next year?
Hi Mike,
Training for the quarterback position means throwing the ball. If you have friends from flag that can run routes and catch, see if you can set up a time during the week when you can go out and throw.
Each time you throw a pass, be aware of your grip on the ball, the position of your feet, where you have the ball and that you have a smooth throwing motion. Try to never practice bad technique in any phase of your passing.
Remember to not focus on throwing deep passes (up - post - corner), where you may over stride, as much as you do working on completing short (hitch - slant - quick out) or medium pass routes (hook - in - out) that give you the opportunity to maintain your form and not overthrow.
The old tire hanging from a tree limb is still a way to work on your accuracy, throwing from different distances and angles when you do not have a receiver to work with on the field.
You can have a running program on days that you are not throwing. Start with running and walking a mile, and then work up to where you feel comfortable running distances, especially if you have hills that give you power going up and can quicken your stride coming down.
Check at your local high school and see if they are offering a class or camp in the summer that you could attend, meet your coaches and teammates and be coached in the position. Good luck and set up a routine where each day you do something positive to prepare to play next season.
Coach Tom Bass
Chris from San Diego sent the following question:
I'm 6-foot-3, weigh 293 pounds and play defensive line. In your opinion, what are the chances of making it to the NFL from a Division II college?
Hi Chris,
Each year there are a number of players from Division II who are signed and are invited to an NFL camp. Few are drafted in the first day - a very few are- but most are late round selections or free agent signings.
The key is they get into a camp and once there, they have the opportunity to make the squad. They do this by showing the coaches they have the physical ability and mental makeup to play and really deserve to stay.
It may be as part of the active squad, as a member of the practice squad or you may be seen by another team and they may pick you up if you are released.
The objective in Division II is to dominate at your position, create an interest by the scouts in your area by your performance and be invited into a camp. Achieving this opportunity and then making the most of it should always be your goal. It will be a challenge but it is done every year.
Coach Tom Bass
Bob from Alabama sent the following question:
I play fullback at a small school in Alabama, and I'm starting to play high school football next year. My deepest desire is to play college ball. Any tips?
Hi Bob,
I have received many questions like yours from young players who will be starting to play in high school next season. My tips for each of you would be to heed the following suggestions.
Between now and next fall: Set up a time and meet with the high school football coach. See if there are any summer workouts that you can be a part of and if he has a workout schedule he recommends that you follow to get you ready for fall practice.
Set up a specific time each day where you either work on developing your strength, speed work on the field or distance running. You can work three days a week in the beginning and work up to four or five days a week. Coming to camp in shape is the key to a good start.
At fall practice: Always be on time. Try to be one of the first ones out on the field for each practice session. Do not be in a hurry to leave the field at the end. Try to be near the head of the line for every drill. Go 100 percent in each drill. Listen to anything a coach says to you or another player. Try to avoid making mental errors during practice. Be positive on the field and in the locker room in everything you say or do. Stay flexible and be prepared in case the coaching staff feels that you are much better suited for another position and asks you to change for the good of the team.
In the fall away from the field: Make certain that your classroom work is done and on time and that you study and prepare for every test and assignment to the best of your ability. Your coaches need to know that they can count on you in this area as well as on the field. Check with your advisor and see that you are taking the classes needed to prepare you for college. Do this as soon as possible.
Start your own notebook where you make notes each night about techniques you have learned in practice, plays you been taught, any new formations and above all, your assignment on each and every play. This is your football textbook, so be neat and be complete.
Remember in sports you either get better each practice or you lose ground. You never stay the same. The challenge is for you to develop a work ethic and pride in your performance so that you can walk off the practice field knowing you have improved. I hope you reach your dream of playing in college.
Coach Tom Bass
Coach Tom Bass, the technical writer and advisor for USA Football, is a 30-year NFL coach who has also authored several books, including "Play Football the NFL Way" - the first "how to" book ever authorized and published by the NFL. Coach Bass is happy to personally autograph his books to you. Book ordering information can be found on http://www.coachbass.com/.
