The Kentucky Quarterbacks: Comfortably Uncomfortable

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] @UKStoopsTroops[/caption] Quarterback Coach Darin Hinshaw continues to impress. At Tuesday’s press conference, Hinshaw flew into an honesty laden lecture about his group’s footwork, or the lack thereof. On this site, you’ve frequently read about the subject and podcast listeners have heard J-Lo and I continually preach its importance. Darin Hinshaw put his players on notice. Let’s dissect his comments:

“I’ve heard that many times, that the quarterbacks have not performed well here. Now we're installing the offense and we're on Day 3, and it's a gradual process, as far as being able to put everything in from red zone to third down, everything we do offensively. And then the quarterbacks to be able to learn it, it's like riding a bike. They're gonna have to fall down before they're gonna get good at riding wheelies and doing stunts and all that kind of stuff.

"Well, again, I don't know what they've done in the past, but their footwork wasn't where it needs to me. What I mean by that is what I coach is not taking big steps in the pocket. When you take big steps, you're not able to throw the whole time that you're stepping, OK? So I teach 'em to take smaller steps so they're feet are underneath them, and they've got to be able to move their feet quick in the pocket to be able to deliver the ball. Well, they're not used to doing that so we've got to start from scratch with a lot of that stuff. Again, they got better from Day 1 to Day 3, but that's how you're able to throw the ball on target because your feet are underneath you. That's why you see the NFL guys do so well. Tom Brady, that's why Peyton Manning has had so much success. His footwork is incredible for such a big guy to be able to throw on time and be able to get the ball out. That's what we got to build, is great footwork with our releases and everything else we're doing."

*Taken from the Courier Journal’s Kyle Tucker’s transcribed practice notes.

Zing. From context it seems as if Hinshaw wasn’t impressed with the fundamental composition of his quarterbacks. While not uncommon for coaches to alter or improve upon inherited player’s technique, it goes against trend for a coach to publicly discuss inefficiencies. His remarks were justified, accurate, and refreshing. Down the 2015 season’s stretch, it became obvious that QB footwork fundamentals were not sustained.

A closer look:

"Well, again, I don't know what they've done in the past, but their footwork wasn't where it needs to me.”

Translation: Drop backs, throwing motion, and pocket mechanics fundamentals were poor. This result could have developed from former OC Shannon Dawson being a big picture (offense) coach and not sustaining emphasis on technique after the season’s start. This is at times is the unfortunate result when QB coaches are also the primary play caller. Group work takes precedence over individual instruction. That’s why earlier I said that it was fantastic that Eddie Gran coaches RBs because it allows Darin Hinshaw the time to focus on fundamentals. Hinshaw continued:

“What I mean by that is what I coach is not taking big steps in the pocket. When you take big steps, you're not able to throw the whole time that you're stepping, OK? So I teach 'em to take smaller steps so they're feet are underneath them, and they've got to be able to move their feet quick in the pocket to be able to deliver the ball.”

Again, wrote so much about this last fall that I discontinued dialogue due to not wanting to be a repetitive read; however, through training and repetition, QBs must become comfortable in the pocket while navigating uncomfortable surroundings. From this scenario comes my rule of not evaluating prospective quarterbacks in 7-on-7 situations. There’s a colossal difference in shorts/t-shirt passing and actual football. Monstrous defenders storming to decapitate the hapless passer has a tendency to influence accuracy. A major QB misconception is that the ability to play the position lies in arm strength. In fact, 75% is based on footwork. Bad feet, worse pass. Translation Part Two: When the extending, non-throwing leg is straightened, there’s a footwork problem leading up to the throwing motion. Patrick Towles recognized his limitations and wisely sought outside instruction. Early success ensued. As rigors of the SEC season wore on, Patrick gradually went away from QB guru Donnie Walker’s teaching. He was later benched. Enter Drew Barker. From Mississippi State through Louisville, Barker’s pocket mechanics were lacking. Thus, the root of quarterback ineptitude resulted from the lack of sustained or flawed fundamental instruction. Big steps in the pocket are a major no-no. Shortened, choppy steps may lack aesthetic beauty, but allows QBs the ability to make throws at all times. Furthermore, fans have voiced their displeasure in this technique when in fact it is the preferred method. During over-stride, passers must recollect their bodies in order to attempt the pass or worse, make off-balance throws with normal results being incompletions or interceptions. Now for the positives. Quarterback fundamentals can and will be improved. Stay tuned, there is a KSR podcast and post planned that will feature one of the nation’s top QB gurus. He will go in-depth about the importance of footwork, positional specifics, and teaching methods.

Footwork, Footwork and more Footwork. #FINISH pic.twitter.com/Pg973M1j2x

– UK Stoops Troops (@UKStoopsTroops) March 10, 2016