A good quarterback must utilize a variety of skill sets.
Quarterbacks are key to the game of football, yet truly great ones are few and far between. Good quarterbacks utilize a variety of skills that make them a serious threat on the field. Throughout history, all great quarterbacks have shared these qualities, as well as natural talent, and have become victorious in their own right.
Arm Strength and Accuracy
The most important job a quarterback has is to move the ball down field as efficiently as possible. Throwing the ball is usually the preferred method, as it can get the ball away from defenders and potentially gain a significant amount of yardage.
Accuracy is very important to a quarterback. He must first determine a receiver to hit, and then connect the ball to that player. Any misfire could lead to an interception or an incomplete pass. Since many plays involve passing to a player in motion, accuracy is crucial to complete a pass.
Arm strength is extremely important as well, as weak throws will be intercepted or blocked. A strong quarterback allows for longer passes, as well as less time for defenders to block a pass. The quicker a ball is given to a receiver, the more distance he can go.
Speed
When throwing is not an option, quarterbacks must move the ball forward as far as they can. They don't have to be the fastest player on the field, but they do need to be quick enough to avoid the initial line of defense. Some quarterbacks, such as Michael Vick, rely heavily on their speed to move the ball down field. Furthermore, should the quarterback's defense fail, he needs to get out of there as quickly as possible to make the best out of a bad situation.
Decision Making
A quarterback must make split-second decisions at any given moment. These moments range from picking the right play to deciding which receiver to hit, or even whether to throw the ball at all. As the leader on the field, the quarterback must recognize the strengths and weaknesses of the opposing defense and how his offense can get around them. Hitting a fully covered receiver when another is wide open could very easily turn the tide of the game for the worst. As defenders blitz toward the quarterback, he must launch the ball immediately to avoid a sack. Furthermore, as the clock ticks away, these decisions have to happen quicker and quicker, as every second counts.
Dealing with Pressure
As the game wears on and the clock winds down, good quarterbacks need to know deal with pressure. At the end of a close game, one slip up can ruin any chance at victory. In an interview, Warren Sapp spoke of quarterback Brett Favre by saying, "Pressure only busts pipes, not legends or Hall of Famers. This man has been in every situation you could possibly fathom in a football game and I can't see him succumbing to pressure."
The longevity of a quarterback is extremely important, as the natural wear and tear of the game can affect the quarterback's performance for the worst. Slower reaction times and declined vision must all be dealt with in those crucial final moments, and only the best of quarterbacks rise to the challenge.
Tags: quarterback must, move ball, ball down, ball down field, down field