Passing & QB Mechanics•intermediate•15 min
Leading the Receiver Drill
QB must throw to a defined downfield cone zone while the receiver is in motion, breaking the habit of waiting for receivers to stop before throwing.
Leading the Receiver Drill
DrillDescription
One of the most valuable QB drills available. This drill breaks the most common youth QB mistake — waiting for the receiver to stop before throwing — and teaches QBs to deliver the ball to a spot, trusting receivers to run to it.
How to run it
- 1
Set two cones 5 yards apart, 8-12 yards downfield to define a catch zone.
- 2
WR runs a route that passes through the cone zone.
- 3
QB must release the ball before the WR enters the zone.
- 4
WR catches the ball in stride inside the zone.
- 5
Progress: add a defender covering the WR.
Points to stress
- Throw to where they're going, not where they are.
- Release the ball before the WR enters the zone.
- WR: sprint through the zone — don't slow down to make the catch easier.
- Defender: use this as a break-on-the-ball rep.