How challenging is the youth football quarterback position? It combines the soccer goalkeeper’s pressure, the baseball pitcher precision and the hockey center’s athleticism.

Essentially, the youth football quarterback is the #1 toughest position in sports and requires more skill, poise, intelligence and resilience than any other athletic position.

If you want to play youth football Quarterback, go in with your eyes wide open – and be ready to manage the emotional ups and downs. And do not fear the large responsibility.

Here are the 6 Keys that make playing youth quarterback easier.

1. Play Within Yourself.
   a. Know your game play limits. If you can’t throw a 40-yard post route, don’t.
   b. Instead, throw a 6-yard hitch and complete it every time.
   c. Why? That’s what you do. That is your quarterback game.
2. Take What is Given
   a. If both the 14-yard dig and the 6-yard hitch are open, pass to the hitch. The six yard hitch is most likely the higher percentage pass.
   b. If your best wide receiver is 1 on 1 with a player who you know can’t cover him, throw him the ball.
   c. If passing to a bubble screen gets your team 4 or 5 yards, do it.
   d. If you can only “read” one teammate on a play, do that. It’s easier.
3. Leverage Your Advantages
   a. If you want to get good, spend the time learning what everyone’s job is on every play.
   b. The reason? You’ll be a “Field General” – knowing your team’s advantages and leveraging those advantages against the opponent.
4. Move the Chains
   a. Too many QB’s want the splash play, the deep bomb for a TD when the 5 yard out was open and a sure thing.
   b. If your receiver is open, choose that receiver. Don’t go hunting for the big play.
   c. Completions keep drives moving.
   d. Completions keep the offense on the field.
   e. Completions march down the field and then score touchdowns.
5. Practice within Your System
   a. If your team throws quick short passes and screens, master those passes.
   b. Of course, practice other routes, but keep in mind your team priorities.
6. Flush It and Reset
   a. Tom Brady threw 212 interceptions. Bad stuff happens. Once it’s over, flush it. You can’t get it back. You can’t change what happened.
   b. You can only change the next set of downs – so flush the past and reset.

Enjoy Every Kickoff!
Every practice, every game, every snap is a gift. Find fun. Generate energy, loose, be creative and optimistic. Fun is the real reason to play – so enjoy every kickoff!