Comments on: Improving a quarterback’s throwing motion

By: Denzel Connelly

Denzel Connelly — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:52:58 +0000

The thing is that the most questions come from beginners. They just haven’t had time to feel all the different exercises. For example, you need a certain mass of muscle just to be able to feel a “pump” or a strain – so that you need time before your body can speak to you.

By: Mark

Mark — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 11:01:19 +0000

This was a great read! Its good to hear all this because I taught most of this from more of an intuitive approach. Its good confirmation, aside from the players’ performance, from professionals that I have been doing the right thing.

By: Jason

Jason — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:19:41 +0000

Mr. Slack, thank you for this posting. I develop Junior High/ Freshman players and plan to check out your R4 series. I have never heard anyone lay out the rationale for proper throwing mechanics as well as you do.

I wholeheartedly agree that we need to coach upper body fundamentals in our QBs. When we don’t, it can be a huge disservice to our team (poor mechanics= turnovers), and quite possibly the kid (potential for injury/ not coaching to our kids’ needs).

By: Darin Slack

Darin Slack — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:09:07 +0000

We don’t focus on the differences between baseball and football, we highlight the specific requirements for throwing a football, but you will be able to see the application. I know of a few baseball coaches who have applied zero position and had some incredible success with the concepts. They have seen longevity increase, velocity increase, and reduced rest required.

Coach, its not a sinking of money, I believe you’ll find it to be a very helpful investment.

By the way, we are a great deal different than what has been taught in the past.

By: Whajonahle

Whajonahle — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:48:35 +0000

Too many HS coaches just see the QB as the guy who sticks his hands under center and hands off, then when it comes time to throw, wonder why he can’t hit the broad side of a barn. It is the most labor intensive position regarding training and mechanics; oddly, every baseball coach seems to understand that the mechanics of the baseball throw are important. As both a baseball and football coach, I’ve always taught the difference between the baseball throw and football throw. Does the C4 illustrate this and would it assist in baseball as well as football? I’m debating whether to sink the money into it. It seems as if he’s teaching a few different concepts regarding release from what I can tell on the teaser videos. At least it seems different from my experiences learning from Jim Tressel, Andy Talley, Jim Morretti, to name a few, as a high school QB at their camps in the 80s. And what’s the difference between the C$ and R4?

By: Mr.Murder

Mr.Murder — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:23:52 +0000

Our QB got hurt into week three doing “Bull in the Ring” drills(there is a reason they’re illegal in some places). He comes back, from a bruised non throwing shoulder, about five weeks later. All of his mechanics were gone.

He was throwing with his arm locked straight, practically pushing the ball out of his hand, it would lose spiral or go straight to the ground when it did spiral.

Had to remind him of leading with the elbow, find that comfort zone where it comes over as an extension of the body(Darin’s “Zero” position terminology is the best way I’ve ever heard it described).

Took two passes to correct it, he had his accuracy back. His release point rolled off in a spiral, no more locking the arm to where the joint locked to push a ball through the air, good follow through. He’s a 5th grader so he will be back to pass another year. By then he’ll have more velocity and mature past only throwing quicks or slants.

It was scary to see a player lose mechanics so quickly not getting regular reps. Finding ways to reinforce what is learned gives the player command of his mechanics(you have to ‘re-learn’ players a lot in early stages of the game). Finding concise ways to install passing mechanics is what makes the Slack system such a value. From there he goes over a system of system of accelerators in the R4 that helps a passer see through windows to throw, go through reads quickly, and anticipate open receivers.

By: Michael Schuttke

Michael Schuttke — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:42:51 +0000

Tyler: I noticed you stated that “Bill Walsh only worked on a quarterback’s footwork.” Not true; in fact, I remember the year that Kerry Collins entered the NFL Draft (1995), he had a very odd hitch at the top of his throwing motion related to his wrist position. Walsh actually worked with him extensively before the draft to correct this element of his throwing.

What I think cannot be ignored in Walsh emphasizing footwork is how intricate his offense was and how the intricacy was built primarily around the timing of the quarterback’s footwork to the breaks of the receivers. So, for him, this was more getting a quarterback to understand his system and to function at peak efficiency within it than to per say ignore other elements of throwing the football outside of footwork.

The fact is, in teaching any athlete anything, a key is developing fundamental consistency. Yes, improvisation will be needed at times but to have sustainable long-term performance, one must be as consistent as possible in all elements of execution of a maneuver, whether it be dropping back and throwing a football, running a 5-yard quick out pattern, shooting a free-throw, etc.

By: Aarone

Aarone — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:28:52 +0000

Here are some useful pieces advice for improving your throwing motion as well as avoiding knee pain, hip impingement, sports injuries, arthritis, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and more.

By: Pete

Pete — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:03:56 +0000

Darin. I think there’s a man named Tebow that would benefit greatly from you. At least to get all the Media Heads of his back

By: Orangeman

Orangeman — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:45:33 +0000

I met Coach Slack down in Baltimore last year and took what I learned and began applying it to my QBs with great results. I’ve been able to help a kid who couldn’t throw a simple Stop Screen to a WR into a 1000 yd passer (who threw a perfect wheel route with 4 seconds left to win a playoff game). Before the game, he was feeling nervous so we went off to the side and just reinforced zero by doing a few drills. We did the same at half time. He’s not perfect but he’s 1000 x’s better than he was. He’s only a Jr. so he’s got another offseason to work. I started with the JV QB late in the summer and a kid who is 5′5″ and a terrific athlete can now zip the ball around. He probably threw for 2000 yds.

Coach Slack, thank you for putting in the time to make those who want to teach kids better. I’m a better coach for it!