Happy feet?

I'm not sure where it came from, but it refers to a quarterback who jinks around in the pocket because he feels the pressure coming. It's a negative term and usually means that a QB is getting gun-shy or has no confidence in his line. A QB with happy feet is not concentrating on his receivers, so he is likely to make mistakes or get rid of the ball too early to avoid being sacked.

It's often a problem with older QBs who get sick of the punishment they take.

These days, a QB can be 'mobile in the pocket', which is a good thing, sensing pressure and stepping away purposefully to buy time - 'Happy Feet' is less purposeful and more panicky.

 

Teams like QBs that stand tall in the pocket, look the defense down, and find their man.

Some guys just don't do that, moving around alot more than whats considered neccessary.

It's very aesthetically pleasing to see the big, bad QB stand tall in the pocket, looking over the field and staring down a defense.

 

My view of it is a QB who has a tendency to not get set and stand tough in the face a pass rush, who is easily distracted and spooked by the tumultuous activity going on around him in the trenches as he seeks out receivers.

 

they are never really set. They're kinda hopping up and down slightly and constantly shifting their feet. This is usually very bad because the qb never gets set and cant deliver good consistent passes. i say usually because if you look at a guy like brett favre, this is what he was known for and his improv passes, so you can still be good but in very rare occurences and with talent like favre.

 

Basically, watch Eli Manning play football, that's happy feet. Many times he doesn't set himself and has horribly inaccurate passes because of it.

 

Yeah, it's a sign of nervousness in the pocket. Most QB's who fail to plant their feet either throw the ball without setting up properly (mechanics) or waste time getting set after they have selected a target. Some rare QB's with laser-rocket arms can get away with not setting before throwing, but not many. QB's who aren't set will often throw with their arms only, not with the shoulder behind it.

 

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I was going to state Peyton as an exception to happy feet being a pure negative, but in a very sly manner, you beat me to it! :lol:

 

Peyton Manning displayed happy feet against the Pats in the AFC championship. He was not comfortible in that pocket at all, constantly throwing off of his back foot.

 

From my knowledge of football happy feet meant when your Qb runs thru his progressions and route reading if he doesnt spot or see that his #1 receiver is open he kind of shuffles his feet in short little choppy steps so he could get his body twisted around to check off his second receiver and so forth til he reaches the back side route.

 

Yes, very nicely done, TBJ!

It actually is pretty remarkable how successful Peyton has been given the happy feet tendencies (and not just in the playoff game against the Pats). That could actually account for some of Eli's problems, since he's obviously watched Peyton from the beginning. Unfortunately for him, he doesn't have Peyton's ability.

 

You could say Brooks Bollinger had happy feet, but I think just about anyone would have behind the shit we put out on the O-Line.

 

I think it's more negative than that - it's nervous steps in the pocket because of pressure.

 

I saw a JM Russell game, and he had a HUGE happy feet routine going on. This was probably just because he could get away with it, but hes going to have to adjust that.

 

I guess after a while it might turn into nervousness when you cant find your receiver. but most Qb's due this during every play because they cant not just turn like that. they always want to keep there feet in motion so either they can get to the next route or all else fails the can run. now if you flat footed then you have to start up running so they keep the feet moving so in case they gotta go the can with ease.

 

peyton manning got happy feet all the time.. but i dont think thats a nerves thing.