3 Reasons For a Youth Football Quarterback Boot
Here at FirstDown PlayBook we like the youth football quarterback boot for several reasons. We will detail it out here in a moment, but generally speaking, it is a play that teaches young players the fundamentals of the game.
To execute a bootleg run or pass requires that your offense understands the play’s strengths and weaknesses. It also demands that their technique be almost flawless as they attempt to deceive the defense. It is one of the first chances to teach a Pop Warner player that not all good plays come from physically beating their opponent. Let’s take a closer look at why we like this play so much.
1. A Youth Football Quarterback Boot Is 3 Plays In One
FirstDown PlayBook gets this question from youth football coaches a lot. They are looking for ways to tie plays into one another. This is about as simple as it gets when you want to “package” your plays. In order to have a good youth football quarterback bootleg, you first need a solid run play opposite of your boot.
Once again, your youth football offense will have to master this base play first. The base play can be any form of run. It can be a sweep, a power, or even a counter. You should be able to block it vs multiple defenses. The important part is that you execute it well enough that your opponent will over compensates to stop it. Once you accomplish this you now can install or youth football quarterback bootleg and also a bootleg pass.
2. Your Offense Will Learn The Value Of Technique On a QB Bootleg
At the heart of a quarterback bootleg, it is a trick play. Kids (and adults) love a trick play. As a youth football coach, it is your job to teach your USA Football team that the “trick play” will not work unless everyone does a good job fooling the defense. Your offense has to make them think it is your base run play first.
This means that your quarterback and running backs need to be great actors. They need to execute their fakes convincingly. It has to take place before the actual fake handoff or pitch and afterwards as well. The technique used to deceive the defense is not exclusive to your backfield either. Your offensive line will need to keep a low pad level and do their best to give the defense a false key. These are all things that will carry over if and when these young players decide to play football in high school.
3. A Youth Football Boot Puts The Ball In Your Talented Player’s Hands
There are a lot of different rules out there when it comes to youth football but if they let your quarterback run the ball then you should. The obvious advantage is that the young quarterback does not have to hand the ball off on this play. They will often find themselves one on one vs the smallest defender on the defense.
That means your best player did not just hand the ball off to possibly a less talented player. It also eliminates the possibility of a fumbled exchange. This play offers you a misdirection play without handing the ball off. It holds true even if you are coaching your NFL Flag football offense.
Pop Warner Youth Football I Formation & Much More Right Here
A youth football quarterback boot is friendly to a young quarterback when they are trying to throw the ball. Once your quarterback comes out of the fake they are going to be moving towards the target. This is especially helpful if you call the boot to the quarterback’s throwing arm.
We want to close this out by saying that there are several ways to run a youth football quarterback boot. You will see in the video below that we have a pulling guard to lead your quarterback. You may or may not want to do that. We will come back later this week and detail three distinct ways you can block this youth football play.
