Throwing the Deep Pass in Football

How, When and Where to Throw the Ball

Rodney Southern
Quarterbacks in football are always looking for the shot at throwing the long ball. The reason for this is because of the excitement of the play and the potential for scoring quickly. Throwing the long pass is not as easy as it looks for most quarterbacks. It takes practice and touch, as well as a smart football IQ.

The deep pass in football is actually dependent on several different things for success. It all begins with knowing when to throw it in the first place. Usually, the best time to throw the deep pass is when the defense thinks that you will run the ball. This can be accomplished by a play-action call, and then sending a streaker down the sideline. Many teams will have an audible set up so that the quarterback and receiver can change the play at the line of scrimmage when they read that the defense is playing the run. You can tell this by the safeties cheating up to the line of scrimmage.

The next important thing is to drop back quickly and set up strong. The deep pass in football requires that you have your legs underneath you solidly and that you step into the pass. It is also vital that you have your shoulder pointed at your target and that you follow all the way through the pass. Do not throw the deep pass side armed or off balance. This will cause the ball to float or be way off target.

There are different kinds of deep passes as well. When a receiver has a cornerback beat the quarterback will generally throw a high arcing pass that the receiver can run under. It is vital that the quarterback throws the pass where only the receiver can catch the football. At a minimum, the receiver has to knock the ball down if the cornerback or safety is going to intercept it.

Another common long pass is the back shoulder throw. This is when the quarterback throws the ball to the back side shoulder of the receiver towards the sideline. This makes it to where the defender cannot possibly defend the pass, and the receiver is the only one that can catch the ball cleanly.

Throwing the deep pass in football is not only about being able to throw the ball a long way. It is also about timing, accuracy and situations. If you and your football team practice each of these scenarios, then you will be much more ready for the big play when you need it.

Published by Rodney Southern - Featured Contributor in Sports

My name is Rodney Southern and I have a lovely wife, Julie, and two beautiful twin daughters, Brooke and Valerie. Also, I was the 2008 Ultimate Call for Content Winner, and awarded a Top 100 badge for Associ...  View profile

  • Use play action to free up your receiver.
  • Throw long passes when the safeties are moving up to stop the run.
  • Throw the long pass so that only your receiver has the chance to catch it.

1 Comments

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  • Vonda J. Sines4/16/2010

    Really good piece, Rodney.

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