Tips & Drills For Running Backs!

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:
  • Keep toes pointed upfield
  • Give with his hips
  • Plant sideline foot upfield and explode
  • Field foot must not cross over
• The runner, against a high blow delivery, will:
  • Utilize shoulder-arm strength
  • Put weight on sideline foot
  • Push inside to give blow to defender (rip technique)
  • 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.

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