Pocket Movement 101: Beat Interior Pressure Without Breaking Structure
Every quarterback eventually faces the same villain: interior pressure that muddies your base, vision, and timing. Great passers don’t bail — they buy space. This guide breaks down a simple framework and three field-ready drills to help you move like a pro without torpedoing the concept.
The Five Rules
- Keep a Throwing Stance, Not a Running Stance: Micro-slide, not sprint. Shoulder-width base, eyes downfield.
- Slide, Reset, Replace: Move six inches to a yard, reset base, re-align hips.
- Win the Midline: Stay balanced; don’t over-rotate or drift.
- Keep the Off-Hand Active: Counterweight tightens release under pressure.
- Throw the Built-In Outlet: Movement should trigger progression, not panic.
Three On-Field Drills
A) Cone Squeeze + Reset
Set two cones 18–24″ wider than stance; partner walks a pad toward midline.
Cues: “Slide six inches,” “Eyes high,” “Replace the front foot.”
B) Guard Rail Ladder
Use four ladder boxes; coach flashes numbers for direction.
Cues: “Quiet head,” “Level shoulders,” “Off-hand on until rotate.”
C) Interior Push + Hitch
Two rushers press inside shoulders; QB hitches once and fires to outlet.
Cues: “Win the midline,” “One hitch, not three.”
Film to Study
- Tom Brady — micro-slides and dagger resets.
- Drew Brees — off-hand discipline on quick game.
- Joe Burrow — calm midline control vs. interior squeeze.
Common Errors & Fixes
- Drifting out back: Shorten drop, emphasize vertical reset.
- Over-hitching: Cap it at one.
- Off-platform fades: Re-establish width before release.
Practice Template
- Warm-up (8 min): Footwork ladder + cone squeeze.
- Indy (15 min): Interior Push + Hitch to outlet both hashes.
- Team (20 min): Call sheet with built-in outlets (stick, spacing, drift).
- Film (10 min): Review six clips — 3 wins, 3 losses at midline.
