Athletes.com
High Knee Running
Objective
To develop high knee running and body awareness.
Drills
* Have 5 square bags placed accordingly
* Have a back run (full speed) over each bag in succession
* Keep eyes downfield and knees high
Goals
* Ball Security
* Violent explosive high knee running
* Going for every yard- step on, over or around would be tacklers
Equipment
* Balls
* 5 Square Bags
Pass Protection
Objective
To develop pass blocking skills in the five and seven step dropback game.
Drills
* Align running back in a two point stance in a split back position
* Linebackers will align in a outside rush position.
* The first linebacker will rush the QB on the whistle command, on the second whistle the running back will get I position for the second rusher.
* Each player will engage two separate defenders.
Goals
* To develop good body positioning in pass protection.
* Create awareness of the pocket area.
* Create good hand- eye coordination in pass protection.
Equipment
* Cones
Receiving
Objective
To develop catch-tuck-turn and run techniques and body control.
Drills
* Have three defenders with shields downfield in a triangle formation.
* Have the backs run routes, catch and run and run through the triangle.
* Backs will break off of the top defender in the triangle.
* All three defenders will give a high or low delivery with the shields.
Goals
* Ball security after a catch.
* Body control- hips turned upfield through defenders after a catch.
* Keep pad level down.
Equipment
* Balls
* Three Shields
Sideline Running
Objective
To develop sideline running.
Drills
* Have two players with shields line up 3 yards from the sideline and five yards apart.
* Have a back run (can catch a pass) and work upfield near the sideline.
* The defenders will each give a high or low blow delivery.
* The runner, against a low blow delivery, will:
o Keep toes pointed upfield
o Give with his hips
o Plant sideline foot upfield and explode
o Field foot must not cross over
* The runner, against a high blow delivery, will:
o Utilize shoulder-arm strength
o Put weight on sideline foot
o Push inside to give blow to defender (rip technique)
o Plant field side foot upfield- near cross over.
Goals
* Ball security.
* Violent running.
* Going for every yard - never run out of bounds.
Strip
Objective
To develop awareness of ball security during violent running.
Drills
* We will form 2 lines of players facing each other 1 yard apart.
* A QB will hand the ball off to the runner who will run between two lines.
* The runner will align at a depth and area he normally runs from.
* The players in the two lines will try to strip the ball from the runner.
* The runner will explore through the lines and sprint 10 yards past the defender.
Goals
* Ball exchange.
* Protecting the ball.
* Body balance.
* Fighting through tackles.
Equipment
* 12th man players form 2 lines
* QB
* Hose
* Balls
* Sled or Ropes (optional)
Zig Zag Run
Objective
To develop hip flexibility, body balance, and increased body control.
Drills
* We will place three to five players 5 yards apart in a straight line.
* The ball carrier will start at one end of the line and "Zig-Zag" between the players.
* The runner should keep eyes up, drop hips to change direction, gather (no stutter steps) before direction change, head north and south and accelerate.
Goals
* Protecting the ball.
* Body balance and control.
