Is football accuracy like shooting free throws?

[Virgil]

In the NBA, you hear about the ridiculous practice routines some of the greats have.  I think Kobe wouldn’t start warm-ups until he hit like 500 free throws.  In any case, the muscle memory or whatever is a pledged method for success in the NBA. 

 

In the NFL, I usually here about coaches working on players footwork or release point to affect accuracy.  

 

My question is this, what players have been know to increase their accuracy over the years and what did they do?   For some of the greats that I remember early in their career like Brady and Ben, they started them in a more controlled offense where they’d throw to one read while averaging around 150 yards per game. Simple throws, low turnovers, basic.   Then, over time, things expanded and it almost felt like confidence is how they grew them.  

 

It’s just an interest concept to me, teaching accuracy.  So many of these guys have been throwing the football since they were 5 years old and now we want them to take a step forward in their early 20’s.  It’s happened, I’m just curious for stories that made it happen. 

[LSHMEAB]

I tend to think accuracy issues are largely mental and incredibly difficult to overcome. I would posit that only confidence can dramatically reform a QB's accuracy issue. 

 

I understand the elements of footwork, etc. just as I understand proper form for free throws. I just think accuracy is one of those things that you either have or you don't.

 

Allen just might be someone good enough in other areas(mobility, arm strength) to overcome lack of precision passing. I saw glimpses of what could be yesterday. He's going to have to get A LITTLE more accurate, but it won't be by leaps and bounds and it may not need to.

[CodeMonkey]

Basketball is definitely muscle memory for shot mechanics.  I would think a QBs throwing motion is also muscle memory so reps would help in general.  But accuracy I'm not sure.  Particularly when it comes to making throws on the run and from weird angles a QB has to deal with. My opinion is that accuracy for QBs is more art than science.

Edited December 3, 2018 by CodeMonkey

[whatdrought]

I think the biggest issue is ability vs. consistency. 

 

Some guys can make throws, but not consistently- this seems to be where practice is necessary. Other guys just can't make the throw and usually it isn't going to be teachable. 

[billsfan1959]

IMO, this issue about his accuracy has become so overblown...

[Virgil]

Just now, billsfan1959 said:

IMO, this issue about his accuracy has become so overblown...

 

This isn’t about Allen specially nor am I mentioning him.  

[stony]

I think it's incredibly more difficult to be an accurate QB than be a 90% free-throw shooter.  So many different variables into every single pass during a game as opposed to shooting at a stationary target at a fixed distance.   

[billsfan1959]

Just now, Virgil said:

 

This isn’t about Allen specially nor am I mentioning him.  

Maybe not; however, my guess is that every one who posts in this thread will be referring to Allen

[Virgil]

3 minutes ago, stony said:

I think it's incredibly more difficult to be an accurate QB than be a 90% free-throw shooter.  So many different variables into every single pass during a game as opposed to shooting at a stationary target at a fixed distance.   

 

Like hitting a moving target with wind conditions 40 yards down field?  

 

It’s really crazy when you think about it 

[Augie]

Since you mention FT’s, it sure helps where the rim and shooter are in the exact same place every time, and there are no 300 Monsters trying to take your head off! (And some guys still can’t make FT’s at a reasonable rate.) 

 

As was noted above, confidence is one of the most underrated factors in sports. Look at David Duval or Chuck Knoblauch for the extreme cases (or maybe Charles Barkley if you’re brave enough!).  There’s a lot to technique and all the other stuff, but even if you do all the right things, you need confidence. (My second serve knows the difference!) 

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

17 minutes ago, LSHMEAB said:

I tend to think accuracy issues are largely mental and incredibly difficult to overcome. I would posit that only confidence can dramatically reform a QB's accuracy issue. 

 

I understand the elements of footwork, etc. just as I understand proper form for free throws. I just think accuracy is one of those things that you either have or you don't.

 

Allen just might be someone good enough in other areas(mobility, arm strength) to overcome lack of precision passing. I saw glimpses of what could be yesterday. He's going to have to get A LITTLE more accurate, but it won't be by leaps and bounds and it may not need to.

 

...QB's accuracy is under extremely more pressure when factoring <5 seconds to go through reads, progressions and THEN make the accurate throw......look at the luxury of time a hoopster has when shooting free throws......

[Gugny]

19 minutes ago, stony said:

I think it's incredibly more difficult to be an accurate QB than be a 90% free-throw shooter.  So many different variables into every single pass during a game as opposed to shooting at a stationary target at a fixed distance.   

 

15 minutes ago, Virgil said:

 

Like hitting a moving target with wind conditions 40 yards down field?  

 

It’s really crazy when you think about it 

 

Free-throw shooters also don't have 6'4" 300lb men running after them trying to drive them to the ground.

[Augie]

5 minutes ago, Gugny said:

 

 

Free-throw shooters also don't have 6'4" 300lb men running after them trying to drive them to the ground.

 

Unless they are doing it all wrong! 

[Virgil]

15 minutes ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said:

 

...QB's accuracy is under extremely more pressure when factoring <5 seconds to go through reads, progressions and THEN make the accurate throw......look at the luxury of time a hoopster has when shooting free throws......

 

By that logic, doesn’t it almost have to be complete muscle memory?  I feel like reps and nerves get you there

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

3 minutes ago, Virgil said:

 

By that logic, doesn’t it almost have to be complete muscle memory?  I feel like reps and nerves get you there

 

...does muscle memory imply repetitive motion?......reps and nerves combined vary by situation...unless I'm misunderstanding you.....

[Rochesterfan]

25 minutes ago, Virgil said:

In the NBA, you hear about the ridiculous practice routines some of the greats have.  I think Kobe wouldn’t start warm-ups until he hit like 500 free throws.  In any case, the muscle memory or whatever is a pledged method for success in the NBA. 

 

In the NFL, I usually here about coaches working on players footwork or release point to affect accuracy.  

 

My question is this, what players have been know to increase their accuracy over the years and what did they do?   For some of the greats that I remember early in their career like Brady and Ben, they started them in a more controlled offense where they’d throw to one read while averaging around 150 yards per game. Simple throws, low turnovers, basic.   Then, over time, things expanded and it almost felt like confidence is how they grew them.  

 

It’s just an interest concept to me, teaching accuracy.  So many of these guys have been throwing the football since they were 5 years old and now we want them to take a step forward in their early 20’s.  It’s happened, I’m just curious for stories that made it happen. 

 

I personally do not think they are even in the same ballpark.  Free throws - no matter what court are all identical- same with like the 3 point line.  Baskets are the same height, everything is identical.  Therefore once you get proper muscle control - you should be able to repeat that over and over.

 

Passing - every field is somewhat different with the pitch (slope from mid field to the sidelines), the weather, and the throws.  Therefore every time you step on a field it will be different from the last time you played.

 

The footwork, hips, release point, etc. all play a role in accuracy as far as I can tell.  The goal is to get as much of that consistent so that when variables start to change you can get the throw off without thinking.  

 

I think the more more you can control and standardize - the more consistent you will be and that seems to come with time - looking at several QBs about year 3 and 4.  That seems to be the point for many where more things fall into place and they do not have to think so much.

 

You see it with Big Ben, Brady, Brees, Rivers, and even to a lesser degree Eli.  Year 1 and 2 the completion percentage was lower and the game to game consistency was less.  Then games start to balance out more with fewer ups and downs.  

 

Just a cursory glance and most QBs seem to up their completion percentage by 2-3 percent - although Brees saw a huge jump 7% on average.

 

I would not expect JA to become a 65-70% guy like Brees, but 59-61% down the road with a higher YPA would be reasonable.

[Mat68]

I dont think Allen will be a high completion % qb.  Now I do see room for improvement.  I am very impressed with his ball placement on balls in side 25 yards.  Seem to be able to place it.  Something Ej and Taylor didn't do.  Something Fitz was spotty with.  Imo it's a chemistry thing.  His wrs are young and new, Allen had limited reps in preseason and was out for 4 weeks.  An off season of guys catching passes from Allen will sure up somethings. Having guys who can go get the ball in the air will help too.

Edited December 3, 2018 by Mat68

[row_33]

1 hour ago, Virgil said:

 

Like hitting a moving target with wind conditions 40 yards down field?  

 

It’s really crazy when you think about it 

 

we went through a few years with a QB who had no concept of throwing into the WR's well-drawn-out and practiced pattern

 

he couldn't throw a ball to a target 40 yards away with a strong wind behind him

 

so this is refreshing and gives hope even for 4 games of no use but improvement.

 

 

[wiskibreth]

Whether it's Basketball 3-pointers, or Golf shots, slapshots or even throwing darts, I believe that accuracy can be improved with proper technique and practice, but for an NFL QB, that will only help to a certain point.  The problem an NFL QB faces is that literally every throw is a totally different set of circumstances, and you can't "muscle memory" every single throw you'll ever need to make.

 

Can a QB become more accurate?  YES.  But if you're not starting from a point of good or better, you;re not going to become great or GOAT through technique and reps.

[row_33]

11 minutes ago, wiskibreth said:

Whether it's Basketball 3-pointers, or Golf shots, slapshots or even throwing darts, I believe that accuracy can be improved with proper technique and practice, but for an NFL QB, that will only help to a certain point.  The problem an NFL QB faces is that literally every throw is a totally different set of circumstances, and you can't "muscle memory" every single throw you'll ever need to make.

 

Can a QB become more accurate?  YES.  But if you're not starting from a point of good or better, you;re not going to become great or GOAT through technique and reps.

 

has a QB honestly reset his throwing abilities after signing an NFL contract?

 

I'm sure they did their best with Tebow, and it just ain't shaking out.