THE PURPOSE OF THIS DRILL is to get your players thinking about getting off the ball on the snap count and maintaining quickness when they are tired.
It allows the quarterbacks and centers a chance to work on their exchange and gives the other players the opportunity to get familiar with the QB’s voice when he’s calling the cadence.
When To Do This Drill
This drill should be performed after team warm-ups and sprints. Your players will be able to catch a breather and it teaches them to concentrate while they are tired.
DIAGRAM 1: THE FORMATION: The players form a half circle with the QBs and centers up front.
How The Drill Is Performed
Each QB takes a turn yelling out the snap count to the team, he goes through the cadence and each center snaps the ball at the same time. Players should be in the ready position: heads up, hands on thigh pads, knees flexed, and ready to clap hands on the snap count.
Coaching Point
All footballs should be snapped at the same time the players clap. It is critical that this is done in unison.
Make sure that everyone keeps their head up. The center should be taking a 6-inch step on the snap.
Each QB gets to go twice. If there is a mistake, like a player not clapping or there is a timing mistake, the entire cycle will start over again. 10 push-ups are always a nice reminder that you want them to avoid mistakes.
As an option, have the QBs switch centers on each snap.