( 5 reviews )
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( 1 of 2 found this review helpful ) Posted: Oct 20 2006
Like many of the current crop of younger football coaches, I grew up in a 1980's that was dominated at the NFL level by the West Coast Offense and the San Francisco 49ers. One of the quarterbacks of that amazing dynasty was Joe Montana, and he was very, very good at what he did. Unfortunately, the book he authored really doesn't go in depth on how he achieved that success. Very little of the player's mechanics are covered. There is no discussion of proper arm motion when passing. There is no discussion of hip angling, receiver progression or other mechanics of function within a football play. This book is largely a series of anecdotes about Joe's career, rather than a specific list of skills and drills for young quarterbacks. His stories are interesting, but meaningless to the coach looking to improve his players. I strongly recommend another book by another Super Bowl winning quarterback. "Phil Simms on Passing: Fundamentals of Throwing the Football" is actually ABOUT the mechanics of throwing the ball. All the little tidbits that have been ignored by the miserable execution of the modern NFL are listed. For example: Phil Simms discusses the importance of keeping the elbows pinned to the sides when dropping back. With both hands on the ball, this reduces the risk of a fumble if sacked by surprise from behind. The year he discovered this he dropped his fumbles from 11 the prior year to three. I was so impressed that I began using that technique with my high school program immediately; our quarterbacks have not fumbled in five years. Phil Simms also covers the adaptation of the West Coast Offense as a precision passing attack-- so precise in fact, that he was taught, "to hit the receiver on the number away from the defender, so the receiver would know which way to turn to avoid the tackle and could gain extra yardage." These are the tips that should have been in Joe Montana's book, and were not. Joe Montana's book barely covers the three and five step drops, ignores handoffs and faking, and brushes over roll out passing and throwing on the run. By contrast, Phil Simms's book covers one step, three step, five step, seven step, roll outs, throwing on the run, avoiding the sack, how to avoid the interception, how to throw the intentional incomplete to avoid the sack, reading the zones, reading man-to-man coverage, receiver progressions, securing the football, mechanics of a proper handoff, proper pitching/tossing, proper faking, and several other aspects of playing quarterback. Joe Montana's book is a good read for the fan with an interest in his career, or the dad that wants to play catch with his son and maybe avoid creating bad habits by teaching incorrect mechanics, but it just doesn't have the depth that it should. For a coach with a serious agenda of improving his football team, I just can't recommend it. Look for Phil Simms's book instead. You'll get much more out of it. ~D.
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( 1 of 1 found this review helpful ) Posted: Nov 8 2002
this book is awsome. Joe Montana, probably one of the greatest QBs ever shares his tips and secrets with the readers. Montana discusses everything from certain exercises to do, how to gain more accuracy, what's kinds of defenses there are, how you should grip the football, the different passing patters, and how he used to prepare during the week for an up and coming game. he goes through his mental preparation and what he's thinking in the first quarter, the second quarter, the adjustments at the half, the third, and then the 4th quarter. Montana also preaches unity and team. he never places himself above his teamates and always credits the people around him for his success. his offensive line, his running backs, coaches, wide recievers, and his parents.good book for any kid interested in becoming a QB or for anyone who just needs a little inspiration.
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( 2 of 2 found this review helpful ) Posted: Jul 12 1998
Joe Montana gives fans of all ages the complete package of quarterbacking. He breaks down every little detail associated with the position. This should be the right hand textbook for anyone wanting to play QB. A beautiful photo gallery is depicted in each chapter.
