You are rolling at the quarterback position today, 25-30 with 358 yards and three touchdowns. Nothing can slow you down. The passing game is flourishing, and the last thing you want to think about is handing the ball off to your running back.
However, the defense knows that you are not going to hand the ball off so they drop the safeties and play for the pass. On the first play of the fourth quarter, you throw an interception. The other team then scores off the turnover and makes it a one-possession game.
One turnover should not change your entire game plan, but it should get you thinking: should we start running the ball? Is handing the ball off to my trusted running back needed for us to win? Or should I keep throwing the ball and ride my hot hand? Because you are the leader of the team and the top talent, the coaches allow you to call your own plays. It’s up to you.
One the next drive, you lead your team to the red zone. Feeling good, you keep throwing the ball. First down, incomplete pass. Second down, the pass is batted down by the defensive lineman. Third down, you are forced to throw the ball away because the defense was all over your receivers. Now you have a decision to make. It’s fourth down, at the two-yard line with just three minutes remaining in the game, and you are up five points. A field goal would still give the other team a chance to force overtime, so you decide to go for the touchdown. The defense thinks you are going to throw the ball since that has been the theme the whole game.
As the leader of the offense, you realize that the passing game has not been successful this drive. The defense is all over it. You need help from your running back. So, you snap the ball and hand it off to your running back and watch him leap over the linemen into the end zone. Touchdown! The game is now out of reach for the other team and you get the win.
Sometimes in business, you may be rolling, but you may also need help from your teammates. Don’t be scared to hand the ball off to your trusted running back in the red zone for him to burst through the pile and score for your team. After all, a touchdown for him is a touchdown for you. As a team, getting the win is the important part, not who gets you the win.
As the quarterback, trust your running back to punch the ball into the end zone and score when you need him to. It could be the difference for your team–just ask Marshawn Lynch and the Seattle Seahawks.