Q&A for How to Quarterback for a Football Team

You have to instantly decide whether to take the sack, throw the ball away or try to connect with your receiver. Practice will help your decision-making ability.

Then you need to improvise, but you should have the discipline to not forget plays and assignments.

It is hard to see the whole field sometimes, even with little pressure. Instead, try to focus on players that have mismatches or the wide receivers/tight ends with the best skills.

If you work on your mechanics and put your mind to it, you could get the spot. If you don't, there are many other positions to play.

Listen to your coach. During practice you will go over all types of plays and the coach will help you decide when to call them.

Get a friend to run some plays with you. Have them run in different directions and in different routes. Try to hit them in the chest; this should help you with your accuracy. If you want to get really good, get some rope and a spare tire, tie a knot around the tire, hang the rope from a tree, and step further and further back to throw. Aim straight through the tire opening and try not to hit the rubber.

It really depends on the experience and skills of the other people trying out. Many people don't start playing football until high school. If you're generally a good athlete, you might have a chance. Just try to learn about the skills you'll need and get some practice so you'll be as prepared as possible.

You shouldn't, because you should have already practiced any plays you'd run in a game. However, if you do, look up so you can see the receiver's route. If you can't see one, throw to one you can see.

Height doesn't really matter in football. As long as you are determined and you are athletic, you should do great.

If you're a great passer, the coach will probably adapt the playbook for you.

Keep playing as long as you enjoy the game. It's pretty hard to predict a 12-year-old's future in sports.

Show them they're wrong. Give it your best effort. After that, if the coach still thinks the team is better with you playing some other position, accept his decision. It's his job to field the best team possible.

You're not expected to say anything, but a simple "nice play" would suffice if you feel like saying something. Saying anything inflammatory might backfire on you later.

Then do it. If you are confident and willing to practice and put in the effort, you should give it a shot.

Yes, that is completely fine! There are plenty of women's football teams that would love to have you as a quarterback. Don't let anyone tell you that this isn't worth pursuing.

Being a "running" QB is not how the position works. If running the ball is your main focus, then QB is not the position you should be playing. Try running back instead.

You've just got to keep your eyes on them. But more importantly, make the play fast. Keep your eyes on your receivers and running backs at the same time. Try looking at the linebackers more than the linemen. The linebackers could run straight past your offensive line. Watch their hips. But first and foremost, focus on the play.

Do the same things any quarterback in any town would do: build up your speed and strength, practice your passing accuracy, learn to read defenses, and memorize the playbook (if you have one).

There's no substitute for experience. Play the game as often as possible. Don't limit yourself to quarterback. Try every position.

Generally speaking, quarterbacks need to have a fairly strong arm to be successful. However, if you are exceptional at reading coverage, you should be successful. You can still be a good QB with a weaker arm; it just takes away the deep third of the field and makes the offense more defend-able. (Although it sounds like your skills might actually be better suited to coaching.)

Focus on the angle of your hand and, depending on how far you want to throw it, increase the force with which you throw the ball.

Teams need at least two quarterbacks (in case one gets sick or injured). Also, some teams "platoon" their quarterbacks, where one might be a better passer and the other a better runner.

Accurate throwing comes with practice. Set up a target 15 to 30 yards away, and throw at it repeatedly, or throw to a moving receiver.

Yes. Every team needs at least two quarterbacks. The starting QB could get injured or sick.

Quarterbacks that have both a great throwing arm and speed are sought after by teams.