Preface

It is surprising how many football games are actually lost by a foolish choice of plays. Yet the fundamental principles for the selection of plays, if taught properly to a quarterback who will practice hard and study off the field, are not difficult. The selection of plays is the determining factor in games between two teams that are evenly matched.

In our opinion this is one area where many coaches indicate their shortcomings. It appears as if only a few coaches really know how to train a quarterback. Overcoaching is as bad as undercoaching. More quarterbacks are overstuffed with instruction than are undertaught. A quarterback who makes the fewest fundamental mistakes is the one who will win, providing other things are equal.

The purpose of this book is to explain the procedure used in training a quarterback. Perhaps there are better ways and methods, but this is one way that we have found successful and we believe in it. No attempt is made in this text to discuss the manual techniques or fundamentals of quarterback plays; that is an entirely separate topic. Only the mental aspects of training the prospective quarterback are elaborated in this book.

To our way of thinking, the need for a book of this type is vital. For example, we would much rather have a complete textbook on how to teach a player to kick than we would on the "T" formation. Many good books have been written on formations and they contribute to the field of coaching. However, other than raw materials, there is nothing more important than a good quarterback. Branch Rickey's statement, "Get the players first and everything else will take care of itself," is very true indeed.

Every coach is proud to read or hear someone remark that his team appears well-drilled or well-coached. One of the quickest and surest ways to accomplish this is through the quarterback. A well-trained field general calling the correct plays will make even a mediocre eleven look smart.

We started writing this book and doing research on generalship after the 1954 season. We had lost two games that might have been won with better strategy. Sometimes one learns the hard way. We decided, if possible, we would not beat ourselves because of faulty generalship. The course we used is within the covers of this book.
Many head coaches are handicapped in that they have had little or no experience in teaching strategy to the quarterback. In addition, many head coaches did not even play in the back-field, let alone the quarterback post; it takes time for them to adjust their thinking. Unless they have a capable assistant to handle the teaching of generalship, it falls into their lap and they may not be prepared. We hope this book may be of some benefit to them.

Any coach at all levels of competition can use this book without too much study. For example, the chapters are written to cover each phase of offensive football, plus a chapter on "How to Teach Defense." If the coach wants to brush up on the strategy of calling on each down he would simply refer to Chapter 14, "Generalship of Downs." If the head coach so desires, he may assign his quarterback to read a specific chapter, as Chapter 12 on "How to Use the Kicking Game" or Chapter 4 on "The Seven Laws of Generalship." Then the quarterback can be tested either orally or by written exams. This book was written for both the coach and the field general.

In this book we have pulled together through personal experience and research the best available knowledge about leadership, teaching, learning, and generalship. We have attempted to use such knowledge as guide posts for the coach in training the quarterback.

No claim is made by the author as to originality for many of the ideas and concepts contained within this book. Many persons in football have shared in developing the principles and practices represented. Our aim is to give football coaches at all levels, players, and students who are preparing for coaching careers a fuller understanding of the most important position on the team—the quarterback.

G.H.A.

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