Look-Throw Progression
Throwing & Decision-Making
Legend
- player
- partner / opponent
- ball
- movement path
How it works
Teach young QBs to look at the receiver before throwing and make a conscious decision about whether the receiver is open.
What you need
- football
- cones
Your focus
Young QBs frequently throw to pre-determined targets without looking, teaching them poor decision-making habits from the start. The look-then-throw sequence builds the observation-decision-execution habit that is the foundation of QB decision-making. Even at the youngest level, this three-step approach connects the throw to a deliberate decision.
Two receivers stand 5 yards apart; coach designates one as covered by placing a hand on their shoulder.
QB looks at both receivers, identifies the uncovered one, says their name aloud, then throws.
If the QB says the name of the covered receiver, coach calls Time and they repeat the look process.
Run 10 reps; covered receiver changes randomly. Grade identification accuracy and throw outcome together.
Goal
You've got it when you look at the receiver before every throw and only release when they're open, no blind throws.
Helpful cues
- Look before you throw: eyes first, arm second
- Say the name of who you are throwing to before you release
- Correct decisions lead to better throws
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
Coach tells the QB who is open verbally and the QB practices the look-confirm-throw sequence.
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
Add a third receiver and require the QB to look at all three before deciding.No account needed
Build a practice plan
Add drills, keep the plan in this browser, then share a link with your staff or parents.This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.
This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.After every practice, UpLVL automatically surfaces the drills each player needs to work on most. See it for yourself.