3 Step Drop Patterns: Hitch, Slant & Quick-Out

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For a quarterback to be a successful passer, he must know the different pass routes that each of the receivers will be running. In football terminology, these patterns are often referred to as limbs of the passing tree. Each pattern or route not only will be given a name but also will be assigned a number so that the pattern may be called at the line of scrimmage during a game.

A quarterback must know the names and numbers of the patterns in order to call a play during a game, plus he must understand where the receiver will be throughout each pattern. Close work between the passer and the receiver, called the timing of the pass, is essential if the pass is to be completed.

Passing to the Tight End

For the quarterback to learn passing to the tight end, he first must learn and understand the different pass routes that the tight end uses. The tight end has a passing tree that includes short, medium, and deep patterns. The quarterback must learn which drop to use with each corresponding pattern run by the tight end.

Hitch, Slant, and Quick Out Passes

Finally, we will introduce the quarterback to the three-step drop for short pass patterns. Because these short patterns re-quire great timing, they are learned most successfully by using a center in the drill and starting the receiver in his normal position.

By using a center, the quarterback will become accustomed to receiving the snap, taking his drop, stepping, and delivering the ball on time to the receiver.

The passing motion for the "hitch" pattern is very similar to the motion used when throwing the "hook" route. The step foot should be directed at the receiver and the ball should bring him slightly back toward the line of scrimmage.

The "slant" pass is thrown with the step foot directed five to six yards in front of the receiver. The ball should be delivered to this point with velocity and at a height just above the receiver's waist.

Throwing the slant pass either too high or behind the receiver will create problems in that the receiver cannot protect the ball with his body as he makes the catch and the defenders will have a greater opportunity to make a play on the ball.

The throwing motion for the "quick out" pass and the "out" pass are very similar The passer must anticipate the break and step and pass the ball seven or eight yards in front of the receiver and slightly back toward the line of scrimmage. As with the "out" pass, the one area we do not want the ball to go to is behind the receiver. A "quick out" thrown late and behind the receiver will almost always be intercepted and often the interception will result in a touchdown for the defensive team.

As a quarterback becomes more and more proficient throwing each pass, the drills can be adjusted so the receivers run full routes and the quarterback takes his full drop on each pass, By starting with both quarterback and receiver off the line of scrimmage, many patterns can be practiced without running the receivers to exhaustion.

Obviously, the same drill will have to be run with the quarterback throwing each pattern to his right and to his left. It is important for coaches and the quarter-backs alike to remember that we are looking for the quality in the pass; repetitions that are done incorrectly only enforce bad habits and do nothing to make the player more successful. When warming up his shoulder and arm, the quarter-back should throw each pattern, starting with short passes and working down the field to the deep routes.

"Play Football The NFL Way" is the first Instructional Manual for Football Players and Coaches ever published by the NFL. It is the ultimate position-by-position guide of techniques and drills for Offense, Defense and Special Teams. Author Tom Bass is a former NFL coach with more than 20 years of experience with the Cincinnati Bengals, San Diego Chargers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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Copyright © Thomas L. Bass 2006. All rights reserved.