Passing Technique

[GardenStateUCFan]

I listened to the radio broadcast of the UCF vs FIU game. I often heard the broadcasters commenting on how Milton needs to get his elbow higher in the air to prevent the ball from floating high, over the reach of the receivers. Sounds like it happened a few times in that game.

The first day I was at the UCF football fantasy camp I was assigned to the QB coach. For a short time, I was standing by him during practice drills. I noticed Milton's 3/4 throwing technique (half way between side arm and overhead) and asked the QB coach about it. He did not say that he planned to make any significant changes to it.

During those 2-a-day practices, when Milton tried to drill the outlet, short, and quick sideline passes, they sometimes got away from him and went high. With the 3/4 arm delivery the release point has to be just right...and it is never just right.

Can Milton be successful as a 3/4 arm thrower or should he try to change his technique to throw more conventionally, with a release point over his head, like the NFL QBs?

I think it is very hard to change throwing technique at age 18. It would be something Milton would have to devote himself to during the off season. Sometimes college QBs hire private QB coaches who teach technique. Not sure what the best path forward is for Milton. His short and sideline passes do have a tendency to float, but the 3/4 arm technique does not seem to affect his longer passes, when he puts some air under the ball.

Normally when a player changes technique, they get worse before they get better. In any case, it is very hard to change a long-practiced technique and develop confidence in it. I have often attempted to change the technique of some of my tennis strokes, and it seems like years of muscle memory normally overrule the change, but not always. Making technique changes is not easy, but sometimes it can pay off. At least Milton has a QB coach to guide him.

 

[HammerB08]

Donovan McNabb discussed it during the halftime of the FIU game and he criticized Verduzco for it. Mind you, Verduzco has been working with Milton for only a few months in addition to the many other QBs he is tasked with coaching. Milton doesn't do a whole lot "by the book." Maybe minor tweaks in the offseason if anything?

 

[EngAlum98]

I believe Milton's problems arise from his small hands. The ball will tend to slip out sooner on passes and thus go high. You can also see it when he tries to pull the handoff back and his hands can't keep a grip on it.

 

[GardenStateUCFan]

Donovan McNabb discussed it during the halftime of the FIU game and he criticized Verduzco for it. Mind you, Verduzco has been working with Milton for only a few months in addition to the many other QBs he is tasked with coaching. Milton doesn't do a whole lot "by the book." Maybe minor tweaks in the offseason if anything?

When I brought it up with Verduzco he said that a 3/4 thrower merely needs to lean his upper body to the left (for a right hander) to allow the release point to be above his head (or at least a bit higher). That would be a minor adjustment. SF was Marcus Mariota's QB coach and I am sure he is on top of the issue.

Like I said, when you make technique changes you will often get worse before you get better. I am sure that Verduzco realizes this and he will not want to introduce any significant changes until the season is over. Now is definitely not the right time to do it.

MM has enough on his plate learning a new offense and getting on the same page with his teammates. If you try to add significant technique changes to that, it would be too much.

 

[SublimeKnight]

When I brought it up with Verduzco he said that a 3/4 thrower merely needs to lean his upper body to the left to allow the release point to be above his head. Not sure if he was being serious with me. I have never seen a QB lean his upper body left to compensate for a sidearm or 3/4 throwing delivery, but maybe it does happen and I just never noticed.

MM might be wise to seek another point of view. There are several private QB gurus for hire. SF was Marcus Mariota's QB coach and I am sure he is on top of this issue as well.

Like I said, when you make technique chances you will often get worse before you get better. I am sure that Verduzco realizes this and he will not want to introduce any changes until the season is over. Now is definitely not the right time to do it.

MM has enough on his plate learning a new offense and getting on the same page with his teammates. If you try to add technique changes to that, it would be too much.

I would weigh Verduzco's advice over McNabb's any day. Verduzco is a QB coach who has coached 100s if not 1000s of players over his career. McNabb was a player, who was instructed on how HE should throw and what worked best for HIM.
You mentioned you're a tennis player. Is the single handed backhand for everyone? No, in fact the vast majority of the top 100 tennis players use a double handed backhand... yet the best player of the modern era, Federer, uses a single handed backhand. Furthermore, most modern players with a single handed backhand use an aggressive grip, made popular by Guga. Yet Federer uses an "old school" eastern grip.

Like in most things, there's not a one size fits all technique. Maybe the MM technique is integral to this "quick release". If he switched to a more over-the-top motion, it might result in a bigger "wind up" and completely change his kinetic chain. If Verduzco can improve his accuracy with a body tilt, that seems like a win.

 

[GardenStateUCFan]

I would weigh Verduzco's advice over McNabb's any day. Verduzco is a QB coach who has coached 100s if not 1000s of players over his career. McNabb was a player, who was instructed on how HE should throw and what worked best for HIM.
You mentioned you're a tennis player. Is the single handed backhand for everyone? No, in fact the vast majority of the top 100 tennis players use a double handed backhand... yet the best player of the modern era, Federer, uses a single handed backhand. Furthermore, most modern players with a single handed backhand use an aggressive grip, made popular by Guga. Yet Federer uses an "old school" eastern grip.

Like in most things, there's not a one size fits all technique. Maybe the MM technique is integral to this "quick release". If he switched to a more over-the-top motion, it might result in a bigger "wind up" and completely change his kinetic chain. If Verduzco can improve his accuracy with a body tilt, that seems like a win.

Good stuff. I especially like the last paragraph. I also think that each individual's inherited physical makeup has a lot to do with what works best for them. Verduzco may indeed be the best QB coach available for Milton. SF said that he is the most knowledgeable QB coach he has ever come across.

Yep, keep it as it is, add a bit of gangsta lean, and that may be as good as it gets. MM's quick release is a great asset. Not wise to do anything that might compromise that.

If 10 different QB coaches were given a month with Milton, I'll bet each one would come up with different set of suggestions for his improvement. Very unlikely any of the 10 would have exactly the same plan or list of recommendations. It is not an exact science.

There is a set of techniques (grip, footwork, & throwing motion) that will maximize MM's potential as a passer. I hope he discovers what they are. Could be that he already has.

 

[UCFProf]

Changing a QB's technique and mechanics, especially such a fundamental transformation, is alway a problematic proposition. Bortles had his mechanics changed as soon as he got to the pros, but it was plenty fine for college. He started as a backup, didn't have classes to attend anymore, an the team was willing to wait. Milton is not pro-material any more than Manziel was. In fact he clearly is adjusting to the speed, athleticism, size, and power of college-level players. Three-quarters delivery has some advantages if most of your throws are improvised or based on reads. Drop back pocket passers like Holman perform better if they throw over top.