The Vikings’ backup quarterback needs to know where each step takes his eyes.
Each dropback, whether three, five or seven steps, is followed by a bounce forward — a hitch step. His eyes then need to find the first “read,” or receiver’s route designed to be open at that time. If he’s not open, progress to the next read with another hitch step, and so on. Timing steps with routes is everything, as is vision. Did you read the right coverage before the snap? Did you accurately anticipate on which read to pull the trigger? Is that receiver open enough?