S4 - QB Run Game and Play Action Fundamentals

Coaching Football. Building Men.

This is my shout out to the National Football Academies.  I really think what Darin Slack (the Founder and President) and the NFA are doing is great.  Their mission is "Coaching Football. Building Men." They believe that if the only thing you learn from them was how to be a better football player, then they didn't do their job.  Besides teaching our youth what is means to be a respectable adult, their knowledge and teachings of the fundamentals of football is hands down the best.  The main reason I believe this is because they just don't teach you the "What's" of the mechanics but the "Why's".  If you haven't had a chance to visit with the NFA at a camp, clinic, or whatever, I highly advise you to do so.

I would like to talk about the S4 and how the NFA teaches the Quarterback's mechanics in the run game and play action.  The 4 S's stand for Set, Show, Snap, Sell.

Below is a video Coach Dub Maddox put together to explain the S4.

Run Game Mechanics

• Set 
• What: Once securing the snap and on the first step, the QB is going to SET the ball into his "Third Hand" (belly button) with his arms/elbows tight to his sides.  In addition, he must turn his head around and SET his eyes on the RB before the first steps hits the ground.
• Why:
• The QB must set the ball in his "Third Hand" because he is the most vulnerable just after the snap to any defender running through either "A" gap. Having the 3 points of pressure with the elbows tight ensure the QB is in the best possible position in case of a run through.
• Getting the head around and setting the eye's on the RB ensures that the QB is going to get the ball to his target and he doesn't cause the RB to change his running path.
• Show 
• What:  On the second step, the QB is going to SHOW (extend) the ball, with both hands, out to the RB's pocket.
• Why:
• Showing the ball locks the defense in on the ball. (Helps on PAP's and Counter's)
• Keeping both hands on the ball ensures that the ball will make it in to the RB's pocket and that the QB will not fumble the ball in case he gets tripped up or tackled.
• Snap 
• What:  Once the far hand touches the jersey of the RB, the QB is going to SNAP that hand to the hip flexor.  In addition, the QB is going to SNAP his head, shoulders and back hand in the direction of the RB's path.
• Why:
• Waiting until the far hand touches the RB's jersey ensure that the exchange will not result in a fumble.
• Snapping the hand to the hip flexor gives the illusion that the QB might still have the ball.
• Snapping the head, shoulders, and back hand in the direction of the RB's path helps ensure the RB has secured the ball and ensures that the QB does not bump the RB off his path.
• Sell 
• What:  SELL that the RB has the ball by holding the Snap position for 2 to 3 more steps before you SELL the pass by booting out of the pocket or setting up for a pass.
• Why:
• This position will cause hesitation to any defender who can't see the ball. At this point, the defender has to decide if he is going after the QB or the RB.  This hesitation can cause the defender to make the wrong choice or be to slow in making the right choice.

Play Action Mechanics


When it comes to play action mechanics, the "Set" and "Show" are the same when going to hand the ball off.

• Snap 
• What:  Just before the ball is about to get to the RB, the QB is going to SNAP the ball with his far hand to the hip flexor.  In addition, the QB is going to SNAP his head, shoulders, and near hand in the direction of the RB's path.
• Why:
• Pulling the ball out of the way of the RB, ensure that the RB will not try to reach out for the ball resulting in a fumble.
• Snapping the ball to the hip flexor hides the ball from any backside defenders.
• Snapping the head, shoulders, and back hand in the direction of the RB's path gives the illusion that the RB has the ball.
• Sell 
• What:  SELL that the RB has the ball by holding the Snap position for 2 to 3 more steps before you SELL the pass by booting out of the pocket or setting up for a pass.
• Why:
• This position will cause hesitation to any defender who can't see the ball. At this point, the defender has to decide if he is going after the QB or the RB.  This hesitation can cause the defender to make the wrong choice or be to slow in making the right choice.

Conclusion

Implementing the Set, Show, Snap, Sell terminology with your QB's could help tremendously in your programs QB's fundamentals in the run game and play action passing game.  What the NFA has done to restructure the learning process of the fundamentals of each position is great.  Just like the "S4" they break up each fundamental into pieces that make it easier for the athletes to learn.  In addition, they teach the "Why's".  The National Football Academies does an excellent job at teaching our athletes how to be great football players and how to be great men.  If you ever get a chance, check them out.