There's a difference between a great passer and a great quarterback. We've seen this difference time and again throughout football history. But often football fans confuse the two. We are guilty at times of confusing great passers with great quarterbacks, routinely measuring quarterbacks only by their passing statistics. These numbers make for easy-to-digest comparisons. Better quarterbacks often put up better passing stats. But there is more to the position than tossing the ball all over the field. Here's the difference: A great passer is a guy who puts up great passing numbers. Winning is merely coincidental. A great quarterback is a guy who gets his teammates to believe in him, who helps make the entire team better and who consistently puts his club in a position to win. Posting great passing stats is merely coincidental. A great quarterback is, in other words, a great leader.

1. Be a Leader: Leaders are players who make good decisions on and off the field. They motivate their fellow teammates to give their all. They are passionate. When two players have nearly equal skills, coaches will always give the opportunity to the player with stronger leadership. Aside from statistics, college and NFL scouts look for prospects with an incredible work ethic and good character. 

2. Warm-up Gradually: The shoulder and the elbow joint are extremely susceptible to injury. Don't assume your arm is warm simply because the body is warm. Reduce your risk for injury by warming the shoulder with slow controlled movement including circumduction to promote the production of synovial fluid and improved range of motion for the rotator cuff.

3. Improve your grip: Next to an interception, the worst thing a quarterback can do is fumble the ball causing an unnecessary turn-over. Quarterbacks with "sticky" hands practice releasing, gripping and grabbing the ball.

4. Quick Feet: Jumping rope, carioca, quick footwork and drills which improve foot speed are essential for quarterbacks. Footwork is the foundation of a solid drop.

5. Explode away from the Center: On all drops, explode away from the center with speed and confidence and purpose. Practice various drops as often as you practice your pass - daily!

6. Head Steady/Eyes Focused: While you certainly don't want to broadcast to your defender where you plan to throw, once you've located your man, zero in on your target. Keep the head steady, eyes focused and make the pass.

7. Keep Your Throwing elbow Up: One of the most common habits of untrained quarterbacks is to drop the elbow of the throwing arm. This causes the ball to be thrown "side arm". Throwing the ball side arm creates tremendous torque on the elbow joint and makes it more difficult to throw the ball with accuracy. Work to keep the elbow above the shoulder through the release.

8. Practice Accuracy: Accuracy should be your number one goal with every throw. Regardless of whether you're warming up or throwing the long ball, always strive for a precise target. Practice drills which test and improve your accuracy for all types of throws.

9. Strengthen the Core: The secret to a strong ball is not only a strong arm, but core strength. Activities which enhance the strength of the abs, oblique, hips and gluts will help put velocity on your ball. Quarterbacks can improve the explosive strength of these muscles by combining medicine or weighted balls with throws, rotations and abs work.

10. Good Attitude: Respect your coaches and fellow teammates. While privately you may not agree with your coaches’ approach, never openly challenge his technique. Remain positive. Use body language that says you're a winner, alert and open to constructive criticism. Ask your coach what you can do to improve your game. A player with a good attitude and outstanding work ethic will always have a better opportunity to start.