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HOW I TEACH THE CENTER-QB EXCHANGE

For over 20 years now, I have taught my centers and quarterbacks an exchange that does not entail the center's twisting or turning the ball. The QB takes the ball exactly as he would if he were to reach out and pick up a ball lying on the ground. I want him to take the ball this way because (1) I believe it is the most secure way I know - I prove this by having him take one-handed snaps until he is confident that he can do it this way every time. It's the only way I know of in which a QB can take a snap one-handed; (2) this is the way I want the QB to handle the ball when he hands it off - I say "stay on your side of the valve"; (3) I believe this allows him to do the best job of hiding the football, as he "pulls it to his groin" and turns his back to the line of scrimmage. To show the center how and where we want the ball delivered, the QB stands behind the center, holding the ball as in scenes #1 and #2, and holds it between the center's legs at the point where he would get the snap. He lets the center take the ball from him,.but leaves his hand pressing up against the center's tail. The center takes the ball from the QB and takes it to the ground to the point from which he would snap it, then returns it to the QB's hand. There is no flip or twist or turn required. The center merely "hoists" the ball by bending his elbow.

(The following are scenes from one of the videos in an upcoming series on youth football drills)

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