Mastrole Passing Academy: Building QB Fundamentals from the Ground Up

Offense has taken over the game of football over the last 5 to 10 years and the share numbers that quarterbacks can put up seems to have no bounds.  This occurrence has placed even greater emphasis on the position of signal caller in the game and there has developed a need for quality quarterback instruction.  That’s where a guy like Ken Mastrole comes in.

Mastrole runs a Quarterback Instruction Academy based out of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida where he aims to return fundamentals to the quarterback position.

“I’ve seen with more and more teams going to the shotgun, combined with limited practice time during the season to teach fundamentals, the quarterbacks that were trained in proper throwing mechanics, weight transfer, and footwork have excelled over those that have not,”  said Mastrole.

Being a quarterback coach was not in the plans for Mastrole who starred as a quarterback at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Ft. Lauderdale.  He was highly recruited his senior year receiving interest from the likes of Miami, Virginia Tech, Clemson and Maryland,  the school he chose to attend.   After some up and down years at Maryland,  Mastrole transferred to The University of Rhode Island after Maryland switched to an option attack.  At Rhode Island, Mastrole passed for over 2,000 yards and 10 TDs his senior year.

A couple of seasons in NFL Europe and an audition with the Chicago Bears followed but it was in Arena Football where Mastrole had his most success.   One season,  as a member of the Arena league’s Florida Firecats,  Mastrole threw an amazing 55 TDs and only 11 interceptions.  In a subsequent year,  he led the Firecats to the Arena Cup Championship.   Following his playing career,  Mastrole excelled as an offensive coordinator for the Firecats where he directed the leagues’ number one offense,  number one quarterback and a trio of 1,000 yard receivers during his four year tenure.

Having been well traveled in the game of football,  Mastrole knew he had something valuable he could offer to young quarterbacks and decided to help out a few kids that he knew.  His work became highly regarded,  his services well sought after and before he knew it,  Mastrole had a full fledged business on his hands.

“I have a passion for not only teaching but mentoring as well,”  Mastrole said.

Quarterback coaches, camps and academies are multiplying daily like Drew Brees’ passing yards.   A young quarterback has a lot of choices when looking to get instruction on playing the position but not every QB instructor will help you reach your goals.

“What separates me from others is the ability to really understand how each individual quarterback processes the information given,”  Masrtole explains.  “I combine this with teaching not only fundamentals but mental toughness and confidence.”

Mastrole works with athletes as young as 10 years old and offers instruction to individuals through high school and even some college and pro ready QBs as well.

The first quarterback he worked with,  Tony Paoli,  earned a full scholarship to Buffalo University.  Currently his academy works with some 125 QBs from inside and outside the state of Florida.   He holds camps and sessions at his alma mater Cardinal Gibbons High School as well as Ft. Myers,  Boca Raton and Lake Worth.

He also offers evaluations for quarterbacks and contacts college football coaches on behalf of his hard working pupils that display solid talent.    Seeing his students mature into college ready athletes is very rewarding for Mastrole.

“Seeing guys like Jake Rudock (St. Thomas H.S.), Kenny Mouton (Golden Gate H.S.), Tony Paoli (Buffalo U.), Rafi Montalvo (LaSalle H.S.) and other young quarterbacks making names for themselves.   I’ve watched Jake (Rudock) grow into an elite quarterback who is now receiving offers from multiple schools,” Mastrole said.  “The rewarding part is seeing them excel on the field and in the classroom,” he added.

Mastrole’s camp sessions take a total approach to developing quarterbacks.  He leaves no stone unturned as he tries to develop them into a complete player at the position.

“I teach from the ground up.  Technique based training.  We also incorporate the classroom side giving each athlete the entire package,”  Mastrole explains.

He believes that fundamentals are most important to young QBs both in the running game and the passing game.   He also feels that confidence must be high.

“Quarterback is a unique position and takes a long time to master,”  said Mastrole.

Mastrole takes a personal approach with his clients.  He’s always available by phone.  He visits his students practices and games and he also assists in getting them exposure.

“I go above and beyond when someone decides to invest their time, money and energy into my program,”  said Mastrole.

With Mastrole’s emphasis on teaching from the ground up,  it seems that the sky’s the limit for any prospective quarterback taking part in his program.

For more information on Mastrole Passing Camps including session dates, times, costs, etc.  You can visit their website at http://www.mastrolepassing.com or call Ken Mastrole at (239) 919-4325.

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