How to...

There are many different traits that make a winning quarterback, but according to former professional quarterback John Fitzgerald, one of the most important aspects of being a winning quarterback is getting the ball from center. "Probably the most forgotten and yet most important play in football is the quarterback-center exchange," said
Fitzgerald, "It happens on every play whether you are running or passing, shotgun or under center, there is always a
quarterback-center exchange."

1: Like every athletic movement, taking
the snap starts with the feet. "Whether
your stance is slightly staggered or
straight is a matter of preference," said
Fitzgerald, "ultimately you want to be
comfortable, and to start in a good athletic
position. You don't want to be too low, but
you don't want to stand straight up either.
You are not looking at the center's back;
you want your head up so you can see
what the defense is doing. Be careful to
do the same stance every time, whether
passing or running, so the defense cannot
key in on you."

2: After getting into a comfortable stance,
you want to put the back of your throwing
hand firmly under the center with the heel
of the other hand on the bottom pushing
firmly against the heel of the top hand.
"You want to be real sturdy against the
center so that he knows exactly where
you're at. Fingers open wide, hands open
wide to receive the ball," said Fitzgerald.

3: "After you get the snap, the first thing
you're going to do, whether running or
passing, shotgun or under center is to
seat the ball," said Fitzgerald, "Seating is
pulling the ball tightly into your body to
secure it and getting your hands in the
proper position to make the play. In the
excitement of a game it is very easy to
start moving before you have control of
the football. Just a split second of focused
attention on seating the ball will prevent a
lot of bobbles and fumbles. What you do
from there will depend on the play."

An easy way for parents and coaches to practice with younger quarterbacks is to kneel in front of the quarterback holding one hand out palm down at the appropriate height, to simulate the center. Pushing down with your hand will force the QB to practice pushing up firmly with his hands. Then proceed to snap the ball firmly up with your other hand. Practice receiving the snap and seating the ball several times a day throughout the season.