The deep pass is one of the most exciting plays in American football. For a game changing play, nothing can beat a correctly executed deep pass play. There are, however, a few things that must happen first before the pass is snatched out of the air by the receiver.
Instructions
1. Protect the quarterback at all costs. Because a deep pass route takes a significant amount time to complete, the pass protection must be solid. The quarterback has to have time for the receiver to get open. Often a team will keep extra blockers in the play to ensure this solid protection.
2. Utilize the play-action to give the defenders pause on a pass play. The quarterback can fake a handoff to the running back to get the defensive players to think it is a running play and give the receiver an advantage. This tactic, while not always used on the deep pass play, can help in effectiveness.
3. Employ the proper mechanics to complete the deep pass. The quarterback must have his feet underneath him and follow through with the proper force on the deep pass. The power on a deep pass comes from the legs, therefore a quarterback needs to plant the back foot securely and rotate the shoulders and hips through the pass.
4. Have the receiver use a double move to get open. This is where the receiver fakes another shorter route and then breaks deep for a pass, although if the receiver is extremely fast, a double move may not be required. The fast receiver can just simply outrun the defender for the football.
5. Throw the deep pass with the best combination of height and velocity. If the throw is too low, another defender can knock the ball down. However, if the throw is too high or lacks the proper velocity, it gives the defender the time to recover and deny the deep pass.
Tags: deep pass, pass play, deep pass, deep pass play, double move