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10 Things I Learned From Playing Quarterback

10 Things I Learned From Playing Quarterback
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    1. All eyes are on you

    Playing quarterback is not for the faint of heart. Everyone in the stands watching will be fixated on your every move, and when you get to the higher levels of football (some High Schools in Texas, Division I College teams and the NFL), there might be hundreds of thousands or even millions of eyes on you. Teammates will complain when you don't throw them the ball, not realizing that you only have 2.5 seconds to decide who to throw to, that they run terrible routes and can never get open.

    When we won a game, or when we won several games in a row, life was good. If you're the quarterback on a winning team, everyone loves you and you get tons of praise. Some of it deserved, and some of it is just because you're winning. Our coaches were in better moods, everyone on the team looked forward to film session and practice, the aches and pains from the brutality of football were dulled, and teachers/students were excited to come to our games.

    When we lost a game, or when we lost several games in a row, life was miserable. If you're the quarterback on a losing team, everyone thinks you're a bum. Teammates talk about you behind your back and the ones who didn't get the ball want you out. Our coaches were grouches, no one wanted to go to practice or sit through a demoralizing film session (although this was precisely the time that we needed to buckle down and get to work). The aches and pains from the brutality of football were magnified, and teachers/students mocked us, reminding us that we suck.

    You must be able to execute with all eyes on you and when the pressure is on. If not, you won't be the quarterback for long.

    2. Communication is key

    In the huddle, the ten other players look to you for guidance on what to do every single play. You must know the playbook inside and out, and be able to speak loudly and clearly enough so everyone can hear and understand you. When you're at the line and calling out the play, your entire team is waiting to hear your voice to spring into action. Don't be quiet. Lead.

    3. Be decisive

    As a quarterback, you only have 2.5 seconds on a passing play to decide what to do with the ball before the defense will breach your offensive line and try to take your head off. For this reason, it's vital that you know which receivers will be doing what on every play and that you're on the same page. If you're not on the same page, things will fall apart.

    During those 2.5 seconds, you must run through your progression (1st option (usually your best wide receiver), 2nd option (could be a second WR or a tight end), and 3rd option (running back in the flats)), evaluate who is open and who isn't, decide who to throw to and execute.

    If you want to run a successful passing attack and offense in general, during the practice week, you must get on the same page with your receivers to the point that you know exactly where they'll be on which plays and when. A great offense is run on timing and rhythm, not thinking.

    4. You must be flexible

    You might call a play in the huddle, and then realize as you're approaching the line and get a glimpse of the defense, that a different play might be more effective. Don't get too attached to one play. There's almost always a better play. Great quarterbacks recognize these opportunities, aren't afraid to change the play on the fly and then effectively communicate the change to their team.

    5. Keep things moving forward when everything breaks down

    During practice, plays are drawn up with the best of intentions. Your team will practice them repeatedly until everyone is on the same page.

    During the game, unless your opponent is truly terrible and unprepared, things will break down and you'll have to improvise.

    On a passing play, your protection might fail, and you might have to dodge a blitzing linebacker who wants to take your head off. Instead of executing the play, your first priority now becomes dodging the linebacker, avoiding him so he doesn't take your head off, and holding onto the ball at all costs. First, do no harm, and in football, this means not turning the ball over. Instead of looking for the big gain, just protect the ball and live to fight another down.

    On another passing play, your first read, usually your best wide receiver, might fall down or run the wrong route. You can't lament this unfortunate occurrence for long (remember, you only have 2.5 seconds to decide what to do with the ball) and will need to quickly look at your second and third options. They might not lead to a big gain, but they'll keep the chains moving.

    Long, successful drives are mostly made up of boring, unmemorable plays that win small gains, sprinkled in with a huge play every now and then. The quote "life is a series of failures punctuated by the briefest of successes" come to mind.

    6. You must keep your composure

    On the gridiron, it's almost always not a question of if things will go wrong, it's just a matter of what will go wrong and when. Your best wide receiver might get hit and knocked out of the game, your line might have a bad day, your coach might get ejected for cursing out the ref. You might get hurt (not bad enough to leave the game), and must figure out a way to play while managing the pain.

    When you're leading an offense down the field, your team will pick up on your demeanor. No matter what happens, you must keep your composure. If you're calm, cool and collected, they'll be calm, cool and collected. If you're panicking and nervous, they'll be panicked and nervous.

    7. Look out for your team and treat them well

    Your success as a quarterback depends on the linemen in front of you being able to protect you and the receivers on your team having a good rhythm with you. If they know that you are rooting for them and support them, they're more likely to go to battle for you. If they're more likely to go to battle for you, you're more likely to deliver (and survive the game to play another week!).

    8. Take what you're given

    Sometimes, you'll play defenses that are vulnerable to deep passing attacks (lots of fun if you're a quarterback). And sometimes, you'll play defenses that are vulnerable to a good, consistent running game (not as much fun if you're a quarterback, but remember, it's not about you, it's about the team). Take what the defense gives you. Don't try to stubbornly force a game plan that you thought might work but clearly isn't. Make adjustments.

    Which leads us to the next item on the list....

    9. Do your research and be prepared

    Analyze game films of your opponents so that you're prepared for what kinds of defenses they'll throw at you. Look for weak players that you can exploit. Be wary of dominant players and come up with a plan to neutralize them.

    Football programs at the highest levels of football have entire teams of personnel whose sole job is analyzing game film of the coming week's opponent.

    10. Take care of your health

    I got knocked out several times during my years playing quarterback. Sprained ankles, knees, deep bruises and broken bones. It's true that in football, there's a macho element to it, but it's important to remember that it's a game and your health is more important. 99% of the people who play the game will never make a dime from it, so don't lose sight of that fact.

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