Michigan Football Series: Quarterback Technique & Drills

Jim Harbaugh,
Los Angeles Chargers (NFL) Head Coach;
University of Michigan Head Coach from 2014 to 2023;
2023 College Football Playoff National Champions;
2022 Big Ten Coach of the Year;
3x Big Ten Champions;
2021 Associated Press College Football Coach of the Year Award;
4x Big Ten East Division Champions;
San Francisco 49ers (NFL) Head Coach from 2011 to 2014;
2012 NFC Champions;
2011 NFL Coach of the Year;
Stanford University Head Coach from 2007 to 2010;
2010 Woody Hayes Trophy, awarded to the top collegiate coach;
San Diego Head Coach from 2004 to 2006;
2x NCAA Division 1 FCS Mid-Major National Champions (2005, 2006);
starred as a quarterback for Michigan as a player;
in 1986, finished 3rd in Heisman Trophy voting and was the Big Ten's Most Valuable Player;
drafted by the Chicago Bears (1st round) and was in the NFL for 14 years;
1995 Pro Bowl;
1995 AFC Offensive Player of the Year;
1995 NFL Comeback Player of the Year;
1997 George Halas Award;
2005 Indianapolis Colts Ring of Honor

and Ben McDaniels,
Houston Texans (NFL) Offensive Assistant Coach/Assistant Wide Receivers Coach;
University of Michigan Quarterbacks Coach & OA from 2018 - 2020;
15+ years of coaching experience at the high school, college (Minnesota, Columbia, Rutgers), and pro levels (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears)

The quarterback position is often thought of as the most important position in all of sports. Having players who not only can grasp the physical, but mental and leadership part of being a quarterback is what all football coaches strive to have.

The 2011 NFL Coach of the Year and Michigan's 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship Coach, Jim Harbaugh, along with former Michigan Quarterbacks Coach Ben McDaniels, share 13 drills that they use to help develop quarterbacks within their football program. Harbaugh and McDaniels share concepts such as how to throw on the run, how to evade defenders, how to take multiple types of snaps, and training a quicker release.

Quarterback Fundamentals

Teaching quarterbacks proper throwing motion, RPO handoffs, and how to present yourself as a quarterback are all fundamentals that are shared in this video. You will see the "100 reps" rule for developing good habits, how to teach proper elbow positioning on throws, and how to teach footwork on QB drop backs. You will also see:

• How to teach the quarterback and center exchange.
• The "drive through fake" action.
• Three different quarterback cadences.
• What equipment quarterbacks need.
• The ABC's of coaching a quarterback.

Quarterback Drills

Using film footage, you will see 13 on-field drills to help develop a quarterback, including exercises such as the Anticipation drill, Naked Fast Decision drill, and Hitch-Hitch Go or Throw drill. You'll also see:

• The Ken Cote drill to help QBs develop good decision outside the pocket.
• Two competitive drills in the Quick Release Competition and the Goal Post Challenge.
• The Circle drill to teach throwing while on the run.
• The Flush drill, which teaches four different ways to leave the pocket.

Using their college and professional coaching and playing experience, Harbaugh and McDaniels give you the tools to develop quarterbacks at any level. The knowledge packed into this video will help develop any quarterback into a more efficient, well-rounded player.

70 minutes. 2019.