Football Drills

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

Table of Contents  Table of Contents............. ........................... ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ......................................................... ........................................... 1 Drills for Everyone................... ................................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ................................ ..................... .... 6 All – Agilities - Circle Cones Drill .............. ............................ ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ .............................. .................. 6 All – Agilities - Cone Drills.......... .................... ..................... ..................... .................... ..................... ..................... .................... ..................... .................... .............. ......... ...... 6 All – Agilities – Lateral Movement Drill ..................................... ................................................... ............................ ............................. ........................... ............ 7 All – Bag & Board Drill (double–wing wishbone blocking)............... ............................. ................................................. ................................... 7 All – Ball Fight Drill.............. Drill ............................ ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ................................................... ..................................... 8 All – Bird Dog Drill – Point .................................... ................................................... ............................. ............................ ............................. ................................ ................. 8 All – Bird Dog Drill – Step ........................................ ...................................................... ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................. ............... 8 All – Fit In Drill............. Drill ........................... ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................................. .............................. 8 All – Form tackling (no pads).......... .................... .................... ..................... ..................... .................... ..................... ..................... ................... .............. ......... ......... ....... .. 9 All – Form tackling (angle, with or without pads).......... .................... ..................... ..................... .................... ..................... .................... .............. ....... 9 All – Form tackling (Angle, WITH pads).......... ..................... ..................... .................... ..................... ..................... .................... .................... ............... ........ ... 10 All – Form tackling (Angle, 5–cone WITH pads).......... .................... .................... ..................... ..................... .................... ..................... ................ ....... 10 All – Form tackling (bag, with or without pads).............. ............................. ............................. ................................. .................................. ............... 11 All – Form tackling (butt, bench and fury, WITH pads)........... ..................... .................... ..................... ..................... .................... ............... ..... 12 All – Form tackling (lateral movement #1, WITH pads)........... ..................... .................... .................... ................ ........... ......... ......... ......... .... 12 All – Form tackling (lateral movement #2, WITH pads)........... ..................... .................... .................... ................ ........... ......... ......... ......... .... 12 All – Form tackling (pick a hole, with or without pads).............. ............................ ................................................. ...................................... ... 13 All – Form tackling (pit drill, with or without pads)............. ........................... ........................................................... ............................................. 13 All – Form tackling (reach tackle, WITH pads)............... ............................. ............................ ............................................... .................................... ... 14 All – Form tackling (shed, recover, tackle, WITH pads).......... .................... .................... ..................... ..................... ................. ............ ........ ... 14 All – Form tackling (two–line attack, WITH pads).......... .................... ..................... ..................... .................... ................... .............. ......... ......... ....... 15 All – Form tackling (with or without pads)............. ........................... ............................ ............................. .................................. ............................. .......... 16 All – Form tackling (with shield, with or without pads)............. ........................... ............................................ ....................................... ......... 16 All – Form tackling from backpedal #1 (with shield, WITH pads)......... .................... ..................... .................... ............... .......... ....... 16 All – Form tackling from backpedal #2 (with shield, WITH pads)......... .................... ..................... .................... ............... .......... ....... 16 All – Fumble Recovery Drill.............. Drill............................ ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ..................................... ....................... 16 All – Horizontal Tackle (aka Cat & Mouse) Drill .............. ............................ ............................ ............................. .................................... ..................... 17 All – Machine Gun Drill.............. Drill ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ................ 17 All – Mirror Drill............. Drill ........................... ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ........................... ............. 17 All – Pad Drill............... Drill ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ........................................... ............................ 18 All – Pursuit Drill............. Drill ............................ ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ....................................... ......................... 18 All – Quick Hands Drill............... Drill ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ..................................... ............................. ...... 19 All – Six Point Explosion Drill............ Drill........................... ............................. ............................. ............................. ........................................ ................................... ......... 19 All – Shoulder–on–Shoulder Bang Drill............. Drill ........................... ............................. ............................. ............................ ................................. ..................... .. 19 All – Shoot and Tackle Drill............. Drill............................ ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ..................................... ....................... 19 All – West Point Drill............... Drill ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ .............................................. ................................ 20 All – Zig–Zag Agility Drill Drill.............. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. .......................... ........... 20 Conditioning Drills...................................... .................................................... ............................. ............................. ............................ .............................. ............................. ............. 21 Conditioning – Basic “hold your stance” Drill................................................................................ Drill ................................................................................ 21 Conditioning – Bear Crawl w/ Cones Drill............. Drill ........................... ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................... ................. 21 Conditioning – Foot, Fire and Drop Drill............. Drill ........................... ............................ ............................. ............................. ................................. ................... 21 Conditioning – Four Corners Drill............. Drill ............................ ............................. ............................ ............................. ........................................... ............................ 22 Conditioning – Illinois Test Drill............... Drill ............................. ............................ ............................. ........................................................ ........................................... .. 22 Conditioning – Interval Sprints Drill.............. Drill ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ................................... ....................... ... 22 Conditioning Condition ing – Leg Matrix.......... .................... .................... ..................... ..................... .................... ..................... ..................... .................... ................. ............ .......... ....... 22 Conditioning – Ladder drills.............. ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. .................................... ..................... 23 Conditioning – Michigan State Drill............... Drill ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................ ...................................... ........................ 26 Page 1 of 84

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

Conditioning – Position Competition Drill.............. Drill ............................ ............................ ............................. ............................. .............................. ................ Conditioning – PT Drill............. Drill........................... ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................. .......................................... .............................. ... Conditioning – Pushup Variations Drill............... Drill ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ................................. ................... Conditioning Condition ing – Running Drills.......... .................... ..................... ..................... .................... ..................... ..................... .................... ..................... ..................... ............ .. Conditioning – Speed Burst Drill Drill.............. ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ........................................... ............................ Conditioning Condition ing – Speed Test Drills.......... ..................... ..................... .................... ..................... ..................... .................... ..................... ................ .......... ......... ....... ... Conditioning – T–Test Drills.............. ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. .................................................. ................................... Defensive Back Drills.......... ..................... ..................... .................... .................... ..................... ..................... .................... ..................... ..................... ................ ........... .......... ....... DB – Backpedal Drill #1............... ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. .................................................... ........................................ .. DB – Backpedal Drill #2............... ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. .................................................... ........................................ .. DB – Backpedal Drill #3............... ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. .................................................... ........................................ .. DB – Backpedal and Weave Drill.............. Drill ............................. ............................. ............................ ...................................................... .......................................... .. DB – Banjo Drill.............. Drill ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ................................................ ....................................... ...... DB – Bump and Run Drill with LB......... .................... ..................... .................... .................... ..................... ..................... .................... ..................... ................. ........ DB – Cover Drill............ Drill ........................... ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ......................................... .......................... DB – Crash and Burn Drill............... Drill ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ...................................... ........................ DB – Interception Drill............. Drill............................ ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ................................... .............................. ......... DB – Island Drill.............. Drill ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................ ....................................... ......................... DB – Jam Drill............. Drill............................ ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ......................................................... ........................................... DB – M Drill............. Drill........................... ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ................... .... DB – Safety Read Drill............. Drill ........................... ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................. ....................................... .............................. ...... DB – Tip Drill.............. Drill............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................. ............... DB – Zig–Zag Drill............. Drill ........................... ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ....................... ......... Defense (general) Drills.......... .................... .................... ..................... ..................... .................... ..................... ..................... .................... .................... .............. ......... .......... ..... Defense – Angle Tackle Drill .............. ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ................................. ................... Defense – Inside Runner Drill.............. Drill ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ......................................... ................................ ...... Defense – Shed and Tackle Drill............. Drill ........................... ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................................ .............................. Defense – String It Out Drill............... Drill ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ................................... ..................... Defensive Line Drills.................... ................................... ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ........................................... ............................. DL – Close Drill.............. Drill ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ...................................... .......................... .. DL – Conquer Drill.............. Drill ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ........................................ ................................... ......... DL – Find and React Drill............... Drill............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ .............................. ......................... ......... DL – First to the QB Drill.............. Drill ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ........................................ .......................... DL – Gap Drill (DT)......... .................... ..................... .................... ..................... ..................... .................... ..................... ..................... .................... .................... ................. ......... .. DL – Goal Line Tackle Drill ............. ............................ ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ..................................... ....................... DL – Hold and Tackle Drill............ Drill........................... ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. .......................... ........... DL – Hoops Drill............... Drill............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ....................................... ........................ DL – NG and C Drill.............. Drill ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ .................................. .................... DL – Off the Ball Drill............. Drill ............................ ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. .............................................. ................................ DL – Sled Work............. ........................... ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ......................................... ........................... DL – Technique Drills......... .................... ..................... .................... ..................... ..................... .................... ..................... ..................... .................... .................. ............ ....... ... DL – Rapid Fire Drill............. Drill ............................ ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ .................................. .................... DL – Read and React Drill............. Drill ............................ ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ....................................... ......................... Linebackerr Drills.......... Linebacke .................... ..................... ..................... .................... .................... ..................... ..................... .................... ..................... .................... .............. .......... .......... ..... LB – 1–step Drill.............. Drill ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ......................... .......... LB – Blitz the QB Drill............. Drill ........................... ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................................................ .............................................. LB – Block Shed Drill Drill............... ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ................................ ................. LB – Defeating a Trap Block Drill Drill.............. ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ .......................................... ............................ LB – Multiple Shed Drill.............. Drill ............................ ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. .............. LB – Pass (or Draw) Drill............. Drill............................ ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ......................................... ........................... LB – Piano (or Flow Over) Drill.............. Drill............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. .............................................. ............................... LB – Read Drills.............. ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ...................................................... ....................................... LB – Shuffle Drill.............. Drill ............................ ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ....................................... ........................ Page 2 of 84

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2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

LB & DL – Stunting Drill............... Drill............................. ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ......................................... .......................... LB & S – Zone Read Drill............. Drill ........................... ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................ ............. LB & S – Zone Read Drill #2........... ..................... .................... ..................... ..................... .................... ..................... ..................... .................. ............. .......... .......... ..... Offense (general) Drills......... ................... ..................... ..................... .................... ..................... ..................... .................... ..................... ..................... ................... .............. ....... Offense – Blitz Read and Pickup Drill.............. Drill ............................ ............................ ............................. ............................. .................................... ...................... Offense – Half Line Drill.............. Drill ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. .......................................... ........................... Offense – Read and Recognize Skeleton Drill............. Drill ........................... ............................. ............................. ...................................... ........................ Offensive Line Drills......... .................... ..................... .................... ..................... ..................... .................... ..................... ..................... .................... .................... ............... .......... ..... OL – 1st Steps Drill............. Drill........................... ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. .................................... ..................... OL – 10–yard Drive Drill.............. Drill ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ........................... ............. OL – Basic Blocking Drill............. Drill ........................... ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ .......................................... ............................ OL – Bear Crawl Block Drill............... Drill ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ................................. ...................... ... OL – Best Move Drill.............. Drill ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ......................................... ................................ ...... OL – Blocking Linebackers Drill.............. Drill............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................... ................ OL – Body Position Drill............... Drill ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. .................................................... ......................................... ... OL – Counter (Pull) Blocking Drill.............. Drill ............................ ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................ .............. OL – Down Block Drill Drill.............. ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ................................... .............................. ......... OL – Duck, FIT, Finish Drill............ Drill ........................... ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................ ....................................... ......................... OL – Duck Walk Drill............. Drill ............................ ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ................................. ................... OL – Finish Drill............. Drill ........................... ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ........................... ............. OL – First to the Flag Drill.............. Drill ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ....................................... ........................ OL – Four winds Drill............... Drill ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ................................ ................. OL – Good Balance Drill............. Drill ............................ ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. .......................................... ............................ OL – Hat on the Dummy Drill ................................... .................................................. ............................. ............................ ............................. .......................... ........... OL – Hill Drill............. Drill ........................... ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................... ................. OL – Hip Extension Drill.............. Drill ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ......................................... ........................... OL – Lock on Drill............. Drill ........................... ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ........................ .......... OL – Mirror Drill............. Drill ............................ ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ...................................................... ........................................ OL – Pancake Drill............. Drill ........................... ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ......................................... .................................... .......... OL – Pass Block Footwork Drill............. Drill ............................ ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ................................ .................. OL – Pull around Drill............. Drill ............................ ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ................................ .................. OL – Punch Drill.............. Drill ............................ ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ........................................ ......................... OL – Punch Strength Drill.............. Drill ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................................ ....................................... ......... OL – Quick Hit Drill.............. Drill ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................................. .................................. ... OL – Shoeshine Drill.............. Drill............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ................................. ................................ ............. OL – Stay Low Drill.............. Drill............................ ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................. ..................................... .................................. ............ OL – Three Ball Drill............... Drill ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ................................. .................. OL – Tennis ball Drill ............. ........................... ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ................................ .................. OL – Tight X Drill............. Drill ............................ ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ......................... .......... OL – Trap Block Drill.............. Drill ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. .............................................. ................................ OL – Trap Block Drill #2.............. ............................ ............................ ............................. ............................. ................................................. ......................................... ...... OL – Trap Block Drill #3.............. ............................ ............................ ............................. ............................. ................................................. ......................................... ...... OL – Two Bags Down–block Double Team Drill.............. Drill............................ ............................ ............................. .................................... ..................... OL – Two Bags X–block Drill............ Drill........................... ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ....................... ........ OL – Whistle Drill ............... ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. .................................... ..................... OL & DL – Beat Your Man Drill............. Drill ............................ ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................................... ................................ OL & DL – Finish Alive Drill............. Drill ........................... ............................. ............................. ............................ .................................................... ...................................... OL & DL – One on One Pass Protection ...................................... ..................................................... ............................. .................................... ...................... Quarterback Drills......... .................... ..................... .................... ..................... ..................... .................... ..................... ..................... .................... ..................... .................... ............ ... QB – Check Off Pass Drill............. Drill ............................ ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ........................................ .......................... QB – Exchange Drill............. Drill ............................ ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ .................................. .................... QB – Hot Box Drill............. Drill............................ ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ..................................... ....................... QB – Landmark Passing Drill............. Drill ........................... ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ...................... ....... Page 3 of 84

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2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

QB – Landmark Passing Drill #2........... ..................... .................... ..................... ..................... .................... ..................... .................... .............. .......... .......... ........ ... 62 QB – Pass Reaction Drill............. Drill ........................... ............................. ............................. ............................ ...................................................... .......................................... .. 63 QB – Passing Lines Drill.............. Drill ............................ ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ........................................ ............................ .. 63 QB – Passing Lines Drill.............. Drill ............................ ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ........................................ ............................ .. 64 QB – Progression Drill.............. Drill ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. .............................. ................ 64 QB – Read and Recognize vs. Skeleton Defense Drill .................................................................... 65 QB – Recognition Drill............. Drill............................ ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................... ................. 65 QB – Roll–Out Passing Drill............. Drill ........................... ............................. ............................. ............................ .................................................... ...................................... 65 QB – Set, Find and Fire Drill............. Drill ........................... ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ..................................... ....................... 66 Running Back Drills.......... .................... .................... ..................... ..................... .................... .................... ..................... ..................... .................... ..................... ................... .......... .. 66 RB – Bag Drill............. Drill ........................... ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. .......................................................... ........................................... 66 RB – Barrel Drill.............. Drill ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ....................................... ......................... 66 RB – Counter Drill.............. Drill ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................ .................................... ...................... 67 RB – Cutback Drill............. Drill ........................... ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ....................... ......... 67 RB – Cut and Switch Drill............. Drill............................ ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ........................................ .......................... 68 RB – Gauntlet Drill............. Drill ........................... ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ..................................... ...................... 68 RB – Goal Line Drill.............. Drill ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ .................................. .................... 68 RB – High Knee Drill.............. Drill ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................... ................................ ............... 69 RB – Inside Outside Drill.............. Drill ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ......................................... .......................... 69 RB – Juke, Spin then Stiff Arm Drill.............. Drill ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ .............................. ......................... ......... 70 RB – Kick Out Block Drill ............ ........................... ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. .......................................... ............................ 70 RB – Off Tackle Reaction Drill............. Drill ........................... ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. .................................. ................... 71 RB – One Cut Drill.............. Drill ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. .................................... ...................... 71 RB – Power Toss Drill.............. Drill ............................ ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................... ................. 72 RB – Seal Block Drill............. Drill ........................... ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. .......................................... ................................. ...... 72 RB – Stiff Arm Drill w/ heavy bag.......... ..................... ..................... .................... ..................... ..................... .................... ..................... .................. ............ ......... .... 73 RB – Stiff Arm Drill w/ live tackler........... ..................... .................... ..................... ..................... .................... .................... ..................... ................ .......... .......... ..... 73 RB – Stiff Arm, Spin and Drive Drill............... Drill............................. ............................. ............................. ............................ ...................................... ........................ 74 RB – Trap Drill............. Drill ........................... ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ......................................................... .......................................... 74 RB – Triangle Drill............... Drill ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. .................................... ..................... 75 Receiver Drills....................................... ..................................................... ............................ ............................. ............................. ................................... .................................. ............. 75 Receivers – Blocking Drill.............. Drill ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ..................................................... ...................................... 75 Receivers – Catch Pyramid Drill............. Drill ............................ ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. .............................. ................ 76 Receivers – Catching Triangle Drill.............. Drill ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ....................................... ......................... 76 Receivers – Crack Back Block Drill.............. Drill ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ......................... ........... 76 Receivers – Concentration Drill.............. Drill ............................ ............................. ............................. .......................................................... ............................................ 77 Receivers – Cones and Cut Drill............. Drill ........................... ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................... ................. 77 Receivers – Cross Drill............... Drill ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ .............. 77 Receivers – Full Gauntlet Drill............... Drill ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................. .................. ... 77 Receivers – Hook and Turn Drill............... Drill ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................. ............................. .............. 78 Receivers – Lightning Catch Drill............. Drill ............................ ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ .............. 78 Receivers – Over the Shoulder Drill ............. ............................ ............................. ............................ ............................. ....................................... ........................ 78 Receivers – Pass Reaction Drill .............. ............................ ............................ ............................. ............................. ............................ ............................... ................. 79 Receivers – Pass Reaction Drill #2.......... .................... ..................... ..................... .................... ..................... ..................... ............... .......... ......... ......... .......... ..... 79 Receivers – Primary Routes Routes Drill (Arrow)......... .................... ..................... .................... ..................... ..................... .................... .............. ......... .......... ....... .. 79 Receivers – Primary Routes Drill (Comeback).......... ..................... ..................... .................... ..................... ..................... .................... ................ ........ .. 80 Receivers – Primary Routes Drill (Corner)......... ................... ..................... ..................... .................... ..................... ..................... .................... ............... ..... 80 Receivers – Primary Routes Drill (Fade)......... ................... ..................... ..................... .................... ..................... ..................... .................... .................. ........ 81 Receivers – Primary Routes Routes Drill (Go).......... .................... .................... ..................... ..................... .................... ..................... ..................... ............... .......... ..... 81 Receivers – Primary Routes Drill (Post)........... ..................... .................... ..................... ..................... .................... ..................... ..................... ................. ....... 82 Receivers – Sideline Catch Drill............... Drill ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ........................................... ............................. 82 Receivers – Stop Drill............... Drill ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. .......................................................... ............................................ 82 Receivers – Stop & Indirect Drill............. Drill ............................ ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................................ ............................. 83 Page 4 of 84

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

Receivers – Turn Drill............. Drill ............................ ............................. ............................ ............................. ............................. ................................. ............................... ............ 84

Page 5 of 84

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

Drills for Everyone  All – Agilities - Circle Cones Drill  Purpose: Procedure:

Teaches quick feet and staying low while moving with short, choppy steps • •

• •

Line up 3 or more cones in a straight line vertically from the player  On the “snap,” the player bursts to the first cone, and circles his feet around the cone, staying low and keeping his head facing forward, his shoulders square, and his hands out in front After circling the first cone, player sprints to the second cone and repeats In the picture below, the players start to the left of the cones and circle around to their  right. You can also have the players start to the right right of the cones and circle to the left

 All – Agilities - Cone Drills Purpose: Procedure:

Teaches quick feet • •

• •

•

Page 6 of 84

Line up 4 cones in a square with about 5 – 10 yards between each cone. Players can run: “90’s” o Run around the outside of the cones in a square pattern, planting the outside foot, and driving at a 90° angle around each cone Backpedal Mix ‘n Match o Sprint to cone 1, shuffle to cone 2, backpedal to cone 3, shuffle to cone 4 Bear crawls, Army crawls, crab walk can also be used o Hooks/Comebacks o Run straight to cone #1, plant the outside foot, and drive back towards cone #3. Once he gets to cone #3, plant the outside foot again, and drive towards cone #2. Once he gets to cone #2, plant on the outside foot again, and drive back towards cone #4. In effect, he will be running around the cones in an “X” “X” shape as shown below

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

 All – Agilities – Lateral Movement Drill  Purpose: Procedure:

Teaches quick feet and proper lateral movement • • •

•

Setup 4, 6, or 8 cones in a rectangle (2 cones per row, each row 2 or more yards apart) Have player start 5 yards behind first row of cones On the “snap” player sprints towards cone #1, then shuffles laterally to his right to the end of the row, then sprint to the next row of cones and shuffles to his left to the end of that row Continue until player shuffles through each row

 All – Bag & Board Drill (double–wing wishbone blocking) Purpose: Procedure:

To develop proper wishbone blocking technique and develop a “Finish It Off” attitude • •

•

•

• •

Page 7 of 84

You need up to 5 boards and 5 bags Have players hold the bags in front of them, with their feet shoulder width apart and the bottom of the bag bag on the ground. These are the DL. Line up the boards directly behind the DL, then have the same number of offensive players line up across from the bags, 2 yards away. Offense gets in a good 3–point stance, and fire off in a double–wing blocking technique and drives the bag beyond the end of the board using drive steps The DL should offer mild to moderate resistance The coach should check for a good stance throughout the drill, and ensure that the bag pops up on contact AND is driven back at the same time

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

 All – Ball Fight Drill  Purpose: Procedure:

Maintaining possession (if you have it) and gaining possession (if you don’t) • • • •

Pair up the players up by size/ability Mark off a very small square and have two players inside it Give one ball to each group and make sure both players have a good grip on it Once the whistle blows, give the players 3 to 10 seconds to fight for possession and control of the ball

 All – Bird Dog Drill – Point  Purpose: Procedure:

To go over blocking assignments. • • •

•

• •

Set up 11 cones or players into a defensive formation that your opponent plays Line up the offense to execute a play and then each offensive player takes a knee. On the snap, each offensive player points to whom he is blocking, or p oints to where he is going They hold that position until the coaches check them. This allows you check each player  to ensure they understand their blocking assignments and first step. Run reps to both sides, but do so multiple times You can rep the line only as well.

 All – Bird Dog Drill – Step Purpose: Procedure:

To go over blocking assignments and proper first step • •

•

• •

Set up 11 cones or players in a defense your opponent will play Line up the offense to execute a play and on the QB cadence, they only take the first step on their assignment. They hold that position until the coaches check them. This allows you check each player  to ensure they understand their blocking assignments and first step. Run reps to both sides, but do so multiple times You can rep the line only as well.

 All – Fit In Drill  Purpose: Procedure:

Teaches proper form and hitting position. • • •

Page 8 of 84

Start with a blocking dummy and two cones. The offensive player will run inside the cone to one side of the d ummy The defensive player must keep his shoulders square to the LOS, fill the hole, and “fit into”

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

the RB using good form: His head in front o o Hips down o Shoulder pad into the hip Wrap the ball carrier  o

 All – Form tackling (no pads) Purpose: Procedure:

Teaches proper form and hitting position. •

•

•

Runner – stand erect, hands together behind back, head up. Small jump up, and let tackler lift and carry you. Tackler – Hit position, 1 foot from runner, Lock, lift, drive for 5, arch back and keep eyes to sky Coaching points: o Hit: breakdown position; knees bent, tail back, arch in back, neck against helmet, eyes up o Fit: shoulder to numbers, helmet to side with the ball, eyes to the sky, upper body between ball carrier and goal line o Lock: at the instant of contact, wrap arms around ball carrier’s thighs and SQUEEZE. SQUEEZE. Lift his butt off the ground using your legs, not your your back o Lift: drive hips forward and your shoulder pads into ball carrier’s chest o Drive: use your legs, keep upper body TIGHT to ball carrier 

 All – Form tackling (angle, with or without pads) Purpose: Procedure:

Teaches proper form and angle tackling position. • •

•

Page 9 of 84

Line up a defender facing the ball carrier about 5 yards apart. Put a cone about 3 yards to the right and left of the linebacker and have the running back attack the inside of the cone. Defender should make the tackle on the running back with his head in front and hit with his inside shoulder. He should make contact with his shoulder at the the hip of the ball carrier  and run his feet through on contact.

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook  •

Make sure the defender is wrapping his arms around the ball carrier. Repeat drill with ball carrier going other direction

 All – Form tackling (Angle, WITH pads) Purp Purpos ose: e: Procedure:

To deve develo lop p prop proper er tac tackl klin ing g and and pur pursu suit it tech techni niqu ques es on a ball ball carr carrie ierr fac facin ing g at an angl angle. e. •

• •

• •

You need 1 or more heavy bags and 3 cones set up in a triangle as shown below. The cones can be 3 to 10 yards apart. Set up one row of “ball carriers,” and another row of “tacklers” The “ball carriers” will carry the shield and on the snap, will run in a diagonal line towards the third cone. On the snap, the tackler will take a good angle and make a good form tackle on the b ag. The coach should emphasize: o Hit (breakdown position; knees bent, tail back, arch in back, neck against helmet, eyes up) o Fit (shoulder to numbers, helmet to side of the ball, eyes to sky, upper body between ball carrier and goal line) o Lock (At instant of contact, wrap arms around ball carrier’s thighs and squeeze him with your arms pressing in ward, lift his butt of the ground) Lift (forward thrust of hips and driving your shoulder pads into his chest will create o lift) Drive (use legs, upper body holds tight, move ball carrier up and back) o

 All – Form tackling (Angle, 5–cone WITH pads) Purp Purpos ose: e: Procedure:

To deve develo lop p prop proper er tac tackl klin ing g and and pur pursu suit it tech techni niqu ques es on a ball ball carr carrie ierr fac facin ing g at an angl angle. e. •

• •

Page 10 of 84

Set up 5 cones in a d diamond iamond (the 5th cone in the center of the diamond) with each cone two yards from the center cone. Line up one ball carrier and one defender, each standing directly behind his “point” cone On the snap, the ball carrier runs for either either gap. Once he passes his point cone, he can continue towards his chosen gap, or cut back to the other gap

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook  •

•

The tackler must mirror the ball carrier, keeping his shoulder square and taking a good inside angle, keeping his head in front of the runner  The coach should emphasize: o Hit (breakdown position; knees bent, tail back, arch in back, neck against helmet, eyes up) Fit (shoulder to numbers, helmet to side of the ball, eyes to sky, upper body o between ball carrier and goal line) .Lock (At instant of contact, wrap arms around ball carrier’s thighs and squeeze o him with your arms pressing in ward, lift his butt of the ground) Lift (forward thrust of hips and driving your shoulder pads into his chest will create o lift) o Drive (use legs, upper body holds tight, move ball carrier up and back)

 All – Form tackling (bag, with or without pads) Purp Purpos ose: e:

Procedure:

To deve develo lop p prop proper er tac tackl klin ing g tech techni niqu que e whil while e hitt hittin ing g a “so “soft ft tar targe get” t” in a cont contro roll lled ed hit hitti ting ng environment. We need to emphasize the importance of keeping the head up and making a good hard tackle • • • • •

Page 11 of 84

You need from 1 to 5 heavy b ags, and two players per bag One row of players will hold the bags, with their arms extended The other row players (the tacklers) will line up three yards away, facing the bags. On the snap, the tacklers will attack the bag and perform a good, clean tackle. The coach should emphasize: Hit (breakdown position; knees bent, tail back, arch in back, neck against helmet, o eyes up) Fit (shoulder to numbers, helmet to side of the ball, eyes to sky, upper body o between ball carrier and goal line) o Lock (At instant of contact, wrap arms around ball carrier’s thighs and squeeze him with your arms pressing in ward, lift his butt of the ground) o Lift (forward thrust of hips and driving your shoulder pads into his chest will create lift) o Drive (use legs, upper body holds tight, move ball carrier up and back)

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

 All – Form tackling (butt, bench and fury, WITH pads) Purp Purpos ose: e:

Procedure:

To deve develo lop p prop proper er tac tackl klin ing g and and purs pursui uitt tech techni niqu ques es on on a bal balll car carri rier er fac facin ing g at an ang angle le,, and and who who has a blocker. • • • •

• •

Set up 4 cones in a d diamond iamond At one cone, set up an offensive blocker, with a ball carrier behind him At the opposite cone, line up one defender, with the extra players behind their cone On the snap, the blocker attacks the defender. The defender should take on the block, extend his arms (keep the blocker off your body!), and prepare to shed On the second whistle, the ball carrier runs directly towards one of the cones. At that point, the defender should shed the blocker in the opposite direction, and make the tackle

 All – Form tackling (lateral movement #1, WITH pads) Purp Purpos ose: e:

Procedure:

To deve develo lop p quic quick k and and prop proper er foo footw twor ork, k, to to stay stay bal balanc anced ed whi while le avo avoid idin ing g obst obstac acle les s and and prop proper  er  tacking technique •

•

•

•

Set up at least three shields or heavy bags on the ground in a line, each about 1.5 to 2 yards from the others Line up one player as the defender at the end of the line, and a coach (or another player) at the other end of the line with a bag The defender can either face forward and “shuffle” over the bags on the ground, or he can face the bags and “high step” over the bags on the ground On the snap, the defender makes his way over each bag, gets in good position, and tackles the bag at the end of the line.

 All – Form tackling (lateral movement #2, WITH pads) Purp Purpos ose: e: Page 12 of 84

To deve develo lop p quic quick k and and prop proper er foo footw twor ork, k, to to stay stay bal balanc anced ed whi while le avo avoid idin ing g obst obstac acle les s and and prop proper  er 

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

tacking technique Procedure:

•

• •

Same as #1, except we’ll use a live ball carrier and add a cone to the end of the line instead of a heavy bag Line up the ball carrier about two yards farther outside the bags then the defender  On the snap, the ball carrier runs towards the cone, and the defender will perform the same side steps over the bags, and make the tackle before the ball

 All – Form tackling (pick a hole, with or without pads) Purpose: Procedure:

Teaches proper form and hitting position. •

•

•

•

Line up three agility bags about 3 yards apart. Have the defender line up on the end of  one bag and the ball carrier on the opposite side of the bag. On coaches cadence the ball carrier will run with his shoulders perpendicular to the line of  scrimmage and attack one of the three holes. The defender must shuffle until the back has committed and then attack the hole and wrap up the ball carrier and run through contact. The defender should reverse the momentum of the ball carrier and cause him to go backwards.

 All – Form tackling (pit drill, with or without pads) Purp Purpos ose: e:

To deve develo lop p goo good d tac tackl klin ing g tec techn hniq ique ue and and a good good aggr aggres essi sive ve appr approac oach h so so the the play player er gain gains s confidence in his tackling ability.

Proced Procedure ure::

Equip Equipmen ment: t: 1 shie shield ld w/play w/player er and 5 dumm dummies ies formed formed into into a mat mat behi behind nd the shield shield man. man. Last Last player holding shield goes behind the dummies and resets them after the next tackle. How: Player w/ shield shield lines up in front front of the “Pit” “Pit” facing the tackler. tackler. The shield should be be at nose level and he should be “cocked” “cocked” and ready to take take a hit. He provided minimum minimum resistance. The

Page 13 of 84

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

tackler starts in a good tackling position 2 yards away and on “GO” he charges forward and makes a good tackle. He should be on top of the other player player on the end of the drill. Variations: Blocking – use wishbone blocking instead of tackling Kick-out/Trap Kick-out/Trap – T gets in a 3-pt stance facing left or right in a proper stance. Pull – T shift left or right right five yards with a cone 2 yards in front of P. T pull and comes around the cone and then blocks P • • •

 All – Form tackling (reach tackle, WITH pads) Purp Purpos ose: e:

Procedure:

To deve develo lop p prop proper er tac tackl klin ing g tech techni niqu que e when when the the bal balll car carri rier er has has mad made e a mov move e to the the side side (cu (cutt ttin ing g away from) of the defender. • •

• • •

•

Line up two players, both facing the same direction One player will will be holding a heavy bag. The bag represents represents the ball carrier. The other  player is the defender. The defender is offset from and about one yard behind the ball carrier  On the snap, the ball carrier will back peddle, dragging the bag with him. As the bag is dragged past the defender, the d efender should “dive sideways” at the bag, aiming to put his chest into the “body” of the the bag. As contact is made, the defender  should “wrap and roll.” The defender MUST get his upper body into the bag, as arm tackles often fail. Also, when rolling the bag to the ground, the defender wants to roll his body over the top of the bag, twisting the bag to the ground.

 All – Form tackling (shed, recover, tackle, WITH pads) Purp Purpos ose: e:

Procedure:

To deve develo lop p an aggr aggres essi sive ve att attit itud ude e and and the the abil abilit ity y to reco recover ver from from a blow blow and and mak make e the the tac tackl kle e quickly. •

•

•

•

Page 14 of 84

Set up 4 players (two with shields, one with a heavy bag) and the coach (or another  player) about 2 to 10 yards behind the player holding the bag. One player is the defender, the two holding the shields are offensive blockers, and the heavy bag is the ball carrier. On the snap, the defender heads towards the first shield and delivers a blow, trying to knock the blocker back and off his feet. His head should be in front, and proper form must be maintained. After contacting the first shield, he sheds, then heads towards the second shield and

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook  •

•

•

delivers another blow Once he clears the second shield, he gets into good tackling position and tackles the heavy bag. The bag should be wrapped and lifted properly, properly, driven backwards and the defender should land on the bag As soon as the tackle is made, the coach drops or bounces the football on the ground. The tackler must get up and recover the fumble. The coach should emphasize: o Hit (breakdown position; knees bent, tail back, arch in back, neck against helmet, eyes up) o Fit (shoulder to numbers, helmet to side of the ball, eyes to sky, upper body between ball carrier and goal line) o Lock (At instant of contact, wrap arms around ball carrier’s thighs and squeeze him with your arms pressing in ward, lift his butt of the ground) o Lift (forward thrust of hips and driving your shoulder pads into his chest will create lift) Drive (use legs, upper body holds tight, move ball carrier up and back) o o When recovering the fumble, the defender SHOULD NOT land stomach or chest first on top of the ball. Rather, fall along side of the ball, ball, cradle it with both hands and bring it into your midsection, midsection, wrapping your body around it. Make the official come to you to get the ball.

 All – Form tackling (two–line attack, WITH pads) Purp Purpos ose: e:

Procedure:

To deve develo lop p an aggr aggres essi sive ve atti attitu tude de and and con confi fide denc nce e in in the the play player ers s to to deli delive verr a blo blow w and and make make a tackle • •

•

•

Page 15 of 84

Set up 3 to 15 players (depending on how many shields and bags you have) in 3 lines The players at the bottom of the graphic are the defenders, the players in the middle are the blockers (line them up 5–yards from the defenders), while the players holding the bags (line them up 10–yards behind the middle line) are the ball carriers. On the snap, the defenders drive into the blockers (who offer medium resistance), driving them back 5 yards. At that point, they shed the blocker, and tackle the ball carrier (bag)

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

 All – Form tackling (with or without pads) Purpose: Procedure:

Teaches proper form and hitting position. •

• •

•

Pair up players facing each other. Start with defender facing ball carrier carrier with right shoulder in mid section, head to the left side with bowed neck and right foot slightly staggered. On Cadence, defender should step with right foot through the crotch of the ball carrier. The defender should wrap arms vertically behind the ball carrier and clinch wrists together  at lower back. These are a form rep activity and should only be done at about half speed. speed. Repeat with both shoulders

 All – Form tackling (with shield, with or without pads) Purpose: Procedure:

Teaches proper form and hitting position. • •

At least one player holding shield, backpedal upon contact, offering moderate resistance Tackler – Hit position, 1 feet from runner, Lock, lift, drive for 5, arch back and keep eyes to sky

 All – Form tackling from backpedal #1 (with shield, WITH pads) Purpose: Procedure:

Teaches proper form and hitting position. • •

At least one player holding shield, move forward on snap Tackler starts by backpedaling 5 yards, then reverse direction, and make tackle

 All – Form tackling from backpedal #2 (with shield, WITH pads) Purpose: Procedure:

Teaches proper form and hitting position. •

Same as above, but tackler will backpedal 5 yards, do one “hit it,” pop up, then move forward and make tackle

 All – Fumble Recovery Drill  Purpose: Procedure:

Page 16 of 84

Teaches quick reactions to a fumble and fumble recovery (as opposed to a dvancement) •

Pair up the kids by size, and put them into a small area using tackling dummies to mark

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook  • •

• •

•

the boundary The coach will put a fumble in play by rolling or bouncing a ball between the players Stress the PROPER way to recover a fumble, which means not necessarily using the hands Stress the actual fumble recovery over the players hitting each other first Players should use the “slide technique” where he uses his body to shield the ball from the other player, then corral the ball to their body Players should NEVER dive directly on top of the football!

 All – Horizontal Tackle (aka Cat & Mouse) Drill  Pur Purpose pose:: Procedure:

Teach eaches es qui quick ckne ness ss,, and and prop proper er hit hitting ting/t /tac ackl kliing for form m • •

• •

•

Setup two cones no more than 2 yards apart. Position two players flat on their backs lying helmet to helmet but not touching (6 inches apart). One player will be the ball carrier (holding ball) and the other the tackler. On the coach’s whistle or cadence, the players rise and the ball carrier run a straight path at the defensive player who must execute a good form tackle. Coaches should make sure that proper technique and form is used in this tackling drill.

 All – Machine Gun Drill  Pur Purpose pose:: Procedure:

To teac teach h pro prope perr foo foott wor work, k, to shed shed a blo block ck,, the then n mak make e a tack tackle le •

• • •

•

• •

Place one “tackler” on one line, 10–15 yards from the remaining players, who are lined up single file; the last player in line carries a football. On the whistle, the first player in line sprints to the tackler and makes contact. Tackler gets set, absorbs the hit, and then sheds the block. As soon as the first player makes contact, the second player in line starts sprinting towards the tackler. The tackler must shed the first block, re–establish good position, and then shed the second block. This continues until the last player, whom the tackler must meet, and bring to the ground. Coach should look for good form here (head up, wrap arms, get low, etc.)

 All – Mirror Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e: Procedure:

To teac teach h prop proper er foot foot work work and and prop proper er posi positi tion on when when trai traili ling ng a bal balll carr carrie ier. r. • •

•

Page 17 of 84

Start with two players and four cones The first 10–15 yards, the offensive player can sprint and jog, but must do both in this span During the first 10–15 yards, the the defender will trail by one yard. He must shuffle when the OP jogs, and shuttle when the OP sprints. He must be able to stop and break down at any time, so keep good form

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook  •

•

During the second 10–15 yards, the OP must stay behind the LOS but is free to stiff arm, spin, juke, or whatever. Each time he makes a move, the DP must “fit “fit into” him in good form. The OP must then run through the last two cones, and the DP must make a good form tackle

 All – Pad Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e:

Procedure:

To revi review ew a play play usi using ng con conta tact ct w/sh w/shie ield lds s and and bags bags to to deve develo lop p timi timing ng and and coo coord rdin inat atio ion n in in the the offense. Equipment : 3 to 5 bags and 4 to 5 shields along with cones for the backside. • •

•

•

•

•

The coach sets up a defense using players and cones on the defense. All interior tackles will have blocking bags (B) and all play side defenders that don’t have bags will have shields. Any player that does not have direct contact in the play can be replaced by a cone or just stand there with out a pad. The defense does not move their job is to provide moderate resistance when being blocked. The coach sets up using the most common defenses faced o r the upcoming opponent’s defense. The offense lines up and executes a play at full speed. You should have a coach for the play side blocks, backside blocks, and the backs executing the play or misdirection. This allows you check each play and player to ensure they understand their assignments and are executing them correctly. You can rep one play to either sides, or a set of plays to one or both sides. You can rep the line only as well.

 All – Pursuit Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e: Procedure:

Teac Teache hes s def defen ensi sive ve pers person onne nell pro prope perr pur pursu suit it angl angles es and and pro provi vides des cond condit itio ioni ning ng.. • •

Page 18 of 84

The defense huddles on a selected line of scrimmage. Align two cones, one on each side of the field on top of the numbers.

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook  •

•

•

•

Position a running back on each hash mark, five yards behind the selected line of  scrimmage. The coach calls out the defensive play. The defense lines up accordingly in proper stance and alignments. On the cadence, the coach either drops straight back and throws the ball deep or turns and simulates a toss sweep. If the coach drops straight back, the defensive line rushes and the se condary and linebackers drop to respective zones. The coach throws the ball deep, and the defender  intercepts the football at its highest point and returns it up the near sideline. The remaining defenders set up a wall leading the ball carrier into the end zone. If the coach simulates a toss sweep, the ball carrier on the hash mark sprints around the cone and down the sidelines.

 All – Quick Hands Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e:

Teac Teache hes s pla playe yers rs to quic quickl kly y and and expl explos osiv ivel ely y get get thei theirr han hands ds up and and int into o the the oppo oppone nent nt

Proced Procedure ure::

Pair Pair up the player players s and and have have them them kneeli kneeling, ng, facing facing each each other other.. On the the whis whistle tle,, one one playe playerr will will bring his hands up and “drive” his partner by hitting him in the breastplate (the same as he would if  he were an OL blocking a DL). As they get better at this, you can have the offensive player start on his knees, with his butt resting on his heels. You can then progress to starting in a six, six, then a four–point stance. On the whistle, whistle, he must use his hips to explode up to a kneeling stance, and THEN hit his opponent.

 All – Six Point Explosion Drill  Pur Purpose pose::

Teac Teache hes s hip hip and and hand hand expl explos osiv iven enes ess. s. Impo Import rtan antt to the the line lineme men. n.

Proced Procedure ure::

Have Have a playe playerr get get in a 6–poi 6–point nt stan stance ce (a (a 4–poin 4–pointt stanc stance, e, but but als also o have have his his knees knees on on the the groun ground). d). On the whistle, the player will use his hips to explode straight forward with his hands out in front. If done correctly, he will be laying on the ground, on h is stomach, looking like Superman flying). This can also be done from a 3 or 4–point stance. The key is to be explosive on the whistle, not  just to simply lay down.

 All – Shoulder–on–Shoulder Bang Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e:

Teac Teache hes s play player ers s the the prot protec ecti tive ve val value ue of of thei theirr shoul shoulde derr pads pads and and to to buil build d conf confid iden ence ce in in hitt hittin ing g due due to that protection.

Proced Procedure ure::

Divide Divide player players s into into two lines lines,, faci facing ng each each other, other, on all all fours, fours, about about 1 yard yard apart apart.. On the the “sna “snap”, p”, the players will spring at each other making contact shoulder pad to shoulder pad, trying to bump the other player back.

 All – Shoot and Tackle Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e:

Page 19 of 84

To dev devel elop op pro proper per tack tackli ling ng tec techn hniq ique ue in in a “Real “Real Game Game”” situ situat atio ion n unde underr a cont contro roll lled ed env envir ironm onmen ent. t.

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

Proc Procedu edure re::

Equi Equipm pment ent:: 10 cone cones s and and 10 10 play player ers s (5 (5 ball ball carr carrie iers rs and and 5 tac tackl kler ers) s) How: Place 2 cones 1 yard apart from each other. Place 5 sets of these these 3 yards apart (12 yards total). Have 5 players players on one side side and 5 players players on the other other side. Each pair takes a chute and gets 1–yard depth from the chute (2 yards total). Each player lies down prone facing the chute and on “GO” both pop up the ball carrier hits the chute as fast as he can and the tackler must make a good tackle before he crosses the chute. Stress to the tackler that they must must be aggressive and attack the chute and the ball carrier. carrier. The coach will call the side the ball is is on.

 All – West Point Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e:

Procedure:

To dev devel elop op tea team– m–bu buil ildi ding ng in in smal smalll grou groups ps,, with with a con contr trol olle led d envir environ onme ment nt for for tac tackl klin ing, g, blo block ckin ing, g, and ball carrier and pursuit skills. • • •

•

•

Use cones to mark off a 5–yard wide by 10–yard long field. You need three OL, one QB (a coach can play QB) and one RB on offense. On defense, you need two A–gap DL, two B–gap ILB (playing 4–yards off LOS), and one S (playing 9–yards off LOS). The offense gets four tries to “score,” “score,” getting one point each time. After four tries, the the two sides switch. The OL can block anyway they want, using drive drive blocks, double teams, pulling, etc. The defense can use stunts, blitzes, etc.

 All – Zig–Zag Agility Drill  Purpose: Procedure:

Footwork and stance • • • • •

•

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Line up five cones in a zig–zag pattern Line up the players outside the first cone On the whistle, have your players “run” through the course You can have DB and LB backpedal, then plant and move forward You can have OL drop back into pass blocking, then get back down and fire out into a drive block You can have QB’s perform a 5 or 7–step d rop, then “tuck the ball” and run forward

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook  •

You can have RB’s backpedal, then “take the handoff” and look to h it the hole

Conditioning Drills Conditioning – Basic “hold your stance” Drill  Purpose:

Builds stamina an and muscle me memory.

Proced Procedure ure::

Have Have the the player players s get get down down in a proper proper 3 or 4–poin 4–pointt stan stance, ce, and have have them them hol hold d it for 15 to to 60 seconds. “Shake it out” and do it again.

Conditioning – Bear Crawl w/ Cones Drill  Purpose: Procedure:

Conditioning •

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• •

Set up a course of alternating pylons (one on the left, one on the right) so players have to move to the outside of the cones. The course should be between 7 and 10 yards long. With the pylons set up in an alternating fashion, a player gets down on all fours, but instead of on the knees, the player is on his hand and feet. The behind should be raised and the knees or elbows should never touch the ground. The player will navigate the course in this fashion to the end and back. Result – Players will often get knocked down during a game, or blocked, and they have to get back up. You will often notice that that a player will naturally get into into this type of stance from a four–point stance on the defensive line. line. This Drill mimics mimics that, and when done along a course, builds strength and cardiovascular improvement along the way.

Conditioning – Foot, Fire and Drop Drill  Purpose: Procedure:

Conditioning, stance and footwork • •

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•

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Break the team up into four lines Have a coach stand in front of the g roup and on his whistle, the players get their feet chopping Stress the importance of starting starting and staying in a good breakdown position. Sloppy form leads to sloppy play The coach will point left, right, backward or forward, and the players must shuffle, backpedal or come forward as indicated I like to add a whistle at the end where all players do a hit–it, then pop up and sprint off the field

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

Conditioning – Four Corners Drill  Purpose: Procedure:

Conditioning •

•

Place four cones about 10 yards apart to form a square. The first 10 is a sprint o o Then Shuffle o Then Backwards sprint And finish with a bear crawl o You can replace any or all of those exercises with ones of your choosing

Conditioning – Illinois Test Drill  Purpose: Procedure:

Conditioning • •

Requires 8 cones Sprint the entire course

Conditioning – Interval Sprints Drill  Purpose: Procedure:

Conditioning • •

•

Players start in 3–point stance On whistle, sprint 20 yards, jog 10 yards, sprint 20 yards, jog 10 yards, etc. all the way down the field. Once they reach the other end, turn around, get back in your stance, and do it again.

Conditioning – Leg Matrix  Purpose:

Conditioning & leg strength

Procedure:

Complete one full circuit with NO rest. Start with 6, and work up to 25 of each Squats Alternating lunges (3 each leg) Lunge jumps (3 each leg) Squat explosions • • • •

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2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

Conditioning – Ladder drills 90 ° turns

180 ° turns

Hopscotch (forward and back)

Ice skater 

Ice skater (one foot)

In and out

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2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

Icky shuffle

Jumping jacks

Lightning bolt

One foot, every other square

One–legged hops

One–legged snake

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2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

Outside foot behind

Outside foot in

Power lightning bolt shuffle

Scissors

Two feet, every square

Two in, two out (forward/back)

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2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

Two in, one out

Two in, two out (left side)

Conditioning – Michigan State Drill  Purpose: Procedure:

Conditioning •

•

Set up two coaches, 20 – 40 yards apart, and line up your players along the line of one of  the coaches. Players begin this conditioning Drill by getting on their knees, with their feet underneath them, in preparation for squat for squat jumps. jumps. The Drill involves doing a number of  different motions, following by a sprint to the other coach. Execution o On the coach's signal, the players are to rock back onto their heels and do 10 squat jumps. o Immediately following their squat jumps, the players sprint to the other coach where they will do 10 sit–ups upon crossing the line he represents. o After their 10 sit–ups, the players then sprint back to the other coach for 10 up– downs. o Sprint followed by 10 push–ups. Sprint followed by 10 mountain climbers. o o Sprint followed by 10 heel touches. Sprint followed by 10 jumping jacks o o Sprint followed by 10 push–ups o

Sprint one 20 to 40–yard dash to finish the Drill

Conditioning – Position Competition Drill  Purpose: Procedure:

Conditioning and motivation • •

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•

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Break the team up into groups based on size/weight/position size/weight/position You can use this drill to encourage your players to give their all during sprints and exercise by making it a competition and allowing the “winners” to take a break while everyone else keeps running. Line them up to do wind sprints, and the first first one back is finished. Everyone else lines up again and keeps running. You can also have them do “the most pushups in 30 seconds,” or whatever other 

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

exercises you like to run •

You can then move the faster “big” kids to run against the faster “small” kids to see what happens, etc.

Conditioning – PT Drill  Purpose: Procedure:

Conditioning • • •

•

•

Break the team up into four groups Have one group with a coach at each corner of the football field On the whistle, two groups diagonal from one another will begin doing push–ups, while the other two groups sprint around the field Once each of the sprint groups arrive back to their original corner, they begin doing push– ups while the other two groups run That’s one rep. o For subsequent reps, do crunches/sit–ups, mountain climbers, lower back stabilizers, squat jumps, etc. instead of pushups.

Conditioning – Pushup Variations Drill  Purpose: Procedure:

Strength and conditioning •

There are a MILLION MILLION pushup variations. variations. They include: Regular  o o Diamond o Wide o Hindu o Dive bomber  Spiderman o o Staggered o Alligator  o

Explosive (take 5 sec. to lower, then explode back up)

Conditioning – Running Drills Purpose: Procedure:

Conditioning • •

•

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Wind sprints 20 yard footwork Drills o Carioca 20 yards, then sprint back o Shuffle 20 yards, then sprint back Etc. o 10 yard drop and go o Sprint 10 yards, do a “hit it” On the whistle, pop up, sprint another 10 yards, do another “hit it” o o Etc.

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

Conditioning – Speed Burst Drill  Purpose: Procedure:

Conditioning • •

•

Line up the players on a field that is between 10 and 50 yards long. On the “snap” have them SPRINT to the other end of the field, then turn around and walk back. Ensure that the rest period (them walking walking back) doesn’t take more than 30 seconds and give them a two–minute break at the end for recovery Repeat.

Conditioning – Speed Test Drills Purpose:

Conditioning, speed and agility

Procedure:

Set up five cones (ten if you have them) one on the LOS, and at 5–yard intervals off the LOS (a cone at the 5–yard mark, the 10–yard mark, etc.). Each player will perform the the following exercise, going to each cone, touching the ground, then go ing back. Jog High knees Butt kickers Walking lunges Duck walk Squat explosions One–legged hops Sprints • • • • • • • •

Conditioning – T–Test Drills Purpose: Procedure:

Conditioning • • • • • •

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Requires four cones Start at A, sprint to B Shuffle to C (do not cross feet!) Shuttle from C to D Shuffle back to B Backpedal to A

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

Defensive Back Drills DB – Backpedal Drill #1 Purp Purpos ose: e: Procedure:

To deve develo lop p goo good d body body posi positi tion on duri during ng the the back backpe pedal dal and and impr improv ove e rea react ctio ion n tim time e •

• •

DB will line up and on the snap will backpedal at full speed for 5 yards (you can increase that distance as much as you want) At the 5 yard mark, DB will plant, turn and sprint past the line Ensure that the DB’s chin is over his toes during the backpedal, his arms are p umping, his head is up and looking forward (not over his shoulder)

DB – Backpedal Drill #2  Purp Purpos ose: e:

Procedure:

To deve develo lop p good good body body pos posit itio ion n duri during ng the the bac backp kped edal al and and to to dri drive ve for for the the ball ball at a 45° 45° angl angle e coming back towards the LOS • • • • • •

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Line up 5 cones as shown below On the snap, the DB will backpedal from cone #1 to cone #2 Plant and drive to cone #3 Plant and backpedal to cone #4 Plant and drive to cone #5 You can then “flip” the cones to have the DB work on planting/driving off the other foot

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

DB – Backpedal Drill #3 Purp Purpos ose: e:

Procedure:

To deve develo lop p good good body body pos posit itio ion n duri during ng the the bac backp kped edal al and and to to dri drive ve for for the the ball ball at a 45° 45° angl angle e coming back towards the LOS • • •

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• •

DB will line up 5 to 10 yards from QB or coach Line up two cones 5 yards behind and 5 yards outside the DB On the snap, DB will backpedal 5 yards past the cones, and read the QB’s eyes and shoulders and will attempt to get a “jump on the ball” The QB will throw the pass towards one of the cones at which point the DB will yell out “BALL!” DB will then drive towards the cone, intercepting the ball On the interception, DB yells out “Bingo!” and sprints towards the end zone

DB – Backpedal and Weave Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e:

Procedure:

Stre Stress ss the the pro prope perr bod body y pos posit itio ion n duri during ng bac backp kped edal al and and driv drive e for for the the ball ball and and to to deve develo lop p the the abi abili lity ty to keep lateral position on the WR • • •

•

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DB can run this by himself, or you can line up a WR in front of him On the snap, the DB will backpedal, then weave (bend) to the outside As the WR runs his route, the DB will then push off with the opposite foot of the desired direction, while turning his hips, and drive for the ball DO NOT cross your feet or turn your shoulders during the weave

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

DB – Banjo Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e: Procedure:

To teac teach h CB’ CB’s s how how to to cover cover rece receiv iver ers s that that are are cros crossi sing ng eit either her at the the LOS LOS or or dire direct ctly ly past past the the LOS. LOS. • •

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Line up 2 WRs and two CBs. On the snap, the inside WR releases around the outside of the outside WR, while the outside WR runs a quick slant across the middle. When seeing cross, the inside CB yells out “BANJO!” and turns to face the outside receiver and steps up into his path and attempts read him. o If the WR looks back at the QB for the pass, the CB should go for the ball by getting his body between the QB and the WR and looking for the ball. When seeing the cross, the outside CB also yells out “BANJO!” and drops two steps to the outside and looks for the inside receiver circling to the outside. If the WR looks back at the QB for the pass, the CB should go for the ball by o getting his body between the QB and the WR and looking for the ball If neither WR turns to look at the QB, BOTH CB’s should attempt to jam the receivers

DB – Bump and Run Drill with LB Purp Purpos ose: e:

Procedure:

To teac teach h CB’ CB’s s how how to read read and and rea react ct to WRs WRs who who are are eith either er goin going g out out for for a pass pass,, or atte attemp mpti ting ng a crack–back block against an LB • • •

• •

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Line up two cones along the LOS, about 10–15 yards apart Line up one WR on each of the with a CB across, and a LB in the middle of the defense A coach stands behind the defenders and signals either a run run play or a pass play. If a run play, the coach points in the direction the run is to go and then calls the cadence If a pass play, the CBs should jam the WRs, forcing them outside If a run play is called, the WR on the side the run is coming to runs straight at the LB and tries to crack block him. The CB should try to step laterally laterally and jam the WR, but he

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

should also call out “CRACK!” to alert the LB.

DB – Cover Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e:

Procedure:

To teac teach h good good tra trail ilin ing g tech techni niqu que e to the the corn corner erba back cks s and and the the conf confid iden ence ce to to cove coverr a WR WR man–t man–to– o– man • •

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•

Line up one WR on the LOS and o ne CB 4 yards off the LOS On the snap, the WR takes a release step to the outside and sprints straight up field for 15 yards The CB should play an inside shade, with with his outside foot back. On the snap, the CB will backpedal with the WR until until the WR breaks past his hips. Then the CB turns and trails trails the WR as close as he can. The CB must turn towards towards the WR which means the CB’s open–side foot crosses over as he turns. CB, remember, you CANNOT jam or otherwise impede the WR o nce he passes 5–yards from the LOS.

DB – Crash and Burn Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e:

Procedure:

To deve develo lop p quic quick k fee feet, t, and and ensur ensure e a goo good d stan stance ce dur durin ing g the the back backpe peda dal, l, the the pla plant nt and and the the for forwa ward rd drive • • •

DB’s start by backpedaling The coach will give one of four hand signals (backpedal, left, right, or forward) DB’s should keep moving until the whistle, while maintaining proper footwork and body lean throughout

DB – Interception Drill  Pur Purpose pose:: Page 32 of 84

To deve develo lop p quic quick k feet feet,, back backpe peda dall and and quic quick k reac reacti tion on time time

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

Procedure:

• •

On the snap, the DB will backpedal, react to the route being run and intercept the ball Initially, you can run this drill drill without throwing throwing the pass. Just have the DB’s perform the backpedal, plant and turn so you can evaluate their stance and footwork

DB – Island Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e:

Procedure:

To deve develo lop p good good bump bump and and run run tech techni niqu ques es in in the the def defen ende derr at at the the same same tim time e dev devel elop op a good good run run support technique when the receiver commits to stalk blocking the defender. •

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Line up one WR against one CB. The CB should play an inside shade with his outside outside foot back. Coach tells the WR what route to run, OR to stalk block the CB (the running game makes up at least 90% of youth football, even when a team lines up with WR’s split out.) If the WR runs a pass route, the CB should jam him, the trail and cover. If the WR comes out to block the CB, the CB should jam, then shed the block and attack the ball carrier 

Key Points to Jamming: 1. The cornerb cornerback ack aligns aligns with with his outside outside foot foot back, his knees knees bent, and and his body body bent at the the waist with his arms up in a ready position to strike the receiver. 2. The cornerba cornerback ck does not move move to the receiver receiver to jam instead instead he mirror mirrors’ s’ the receiver receiver until until the receiver reaches him and then he jams him. On an inside or straight up release the receiver will come to him and he strikes the receiver in the sternum (outside arm) and the shoulder (inside arm). On an outside release he moves laterally to stay stay in an inside relation to the receiver and as the receiver crosses he strikes the receiver as above. 3. The jam comes from from the waist, waist, shoulde shoulders, rs, and then then arms arms firing firing into the the sternum sternum and the inside shoulder. When he makes contact he drives the palms of his his hands into the sternum and inside shoulder at the same time. 4. Watch Watch the hips of of the receiver receiver ifif they point point in the directi direction on he moves then then he intends intends on going there if they stay square then he plans to go the other way or straight. Key Points to ISBR (Inside Shade Bump and Run) Coverage: 1. Keep your your shoulders shoulders square square with the receive receiverr especially especially if he is moving moving horizont horizontally ally on the LOS. 2. Once he cuts cuts up field field backpedal backpedal to stay stay with with him until until he crosses crosses your your hips then then turn and and follow him. You must turn towards the receiver receiver which means your open side foot crosses Page 33 of 84

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

over as you turn towards towards him. You must stay near his inside hip. 3. When he he turns his his head to look look for the the ball you you must get your your near hand hand up in his his face and and your far hand up to attack the ball. Keep your eyes on the receiver until he gets aggressive and goes after the ball then you go after the ball. ball. This is call a “Trail Technique”

DB – Jam Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e:

To teac teach h good good jamm jammin ing g fun funda dame ment ntal als s whil while e usi using ng an insi inside de shad shade e bum bump p and and run run

Procedure:

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•

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Line up one WR on the LOS and o ne CB 4 yards off the LOS On the snap, the WR runs a downfield route and the cornerback executes a good jam. o A “good jam” is defined as one that knocks the WR off his route for 1 – 2 seconds, but not if the CB has to hold or grab cloth The CB should line up with his outside should even with the inside shoulder of the WR, his outside foot back, and his hands up (ready to jam the WR) o If you prefer your CB’s playing an outside shade, simply switch shoulders and have the CB move his inside foot back The CB should strike the WR in the sternum with his outside arm, and the inside shoulder  with his inside arm; striking with both arms at the same time Watch the hips of the WR as the CB will get faked out by watching the e yes, head or feet.

Key Points to Jamming: 5. The cornerb cornerback ack aligns aligns with with his outside outside foot foot back, his knees knees bent, and and his body body bent at the the waist with his arms up in a ready position to strike the receiver. 6. The cornerba cornerback ck does not move move to the receiver receiver to jam instead instead he mirror mirrors’ s’ the receiver receiver until until the receiver reaches him and then he jams him. On an inside or straight up release the receiver will come to him and he strikes the receiver in the sternum (outside arm) and the shoulder (inside arm). On an outside release he moves laterally to stay stay in an inside relation to the receiver and as the receiver crosses he strikes the receiver as above. 7. The jam comes from from the waist, waist, shoulde shoulders, rs, and then then arms arms firing firing into the the sternum sternum and the inside shoulder. When he makes contact he drives the palms of his his hands into the sternum and inside shoulder at the same time. 8. Watch Watch the hips of of the receiver receiver ifif they point point in the directi direction on he moves then then he intends intends on going there if they stay square then he plans to go the other way or straight. Key Points to ISBR (Inside Shade Bump and Run) Coverage: 4. Keep your your shoulders shoulders square square with the receive receiverr especially especially if he is moving moving horizont horizontally ally on the LOS. 5. Once he cuts cuts up field field backpedal backpedal to stay stay with with him until until he crosses crosses your your hips then then turn and and follow him. You must turn towards the receiver receiver which means your open side foot crosses over as you turn towards towards him. You must stay near his inside hip. 6. When he he turns his his head to look look for the the ball you you must get your your near hand hand up in his his face and and your far hand up to attack the ball. Keep your eyes on the receiver until he gets aggressive and goes after the ball then you go after the ball. ball. This is call a “Trail Technique”

DB – M Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e: Procedure:

To teac teach h goo good d DB DB tec techni hniqu que, e, hip hip tur turns ns and and chan changes ges in dire direct ctio ion n usi using ng quic quick k fee feett • •

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Set up 5 cones to resemble a capital letter “M” The distance between cones 1 & 2 and 4 & 5 is 10 yards. The distance between cones 2

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook  •

•

& 3 and 3 & 4 is 5 yards. DB starts at cone 1 and backpedals to cone 2. Then he turns his hips and runs to cone 3. As he approaches cone 3, he begins turning his hips towards towards cone 4. When he reaches cone 3, he will run towards cone 4. The coach or a QB will throw the ball towards towards cone 4 at this point. The DB should intercept intercept it and sprint sprint to cone 5. The coach should check for hip turns at cones 2 and 4 and watch that the DB does not get his feet “crossed up.”

DB – Safety Read Drill  Pur Purpose pose::

To tea teach ch the the sa safeti feties es to read ead th the QB QB’s eye eyes s and and move ove

Procedure:

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• •

•

•

•

•

Line up five cones in two lines. One line has three cones, the other line has two The row closest to the QB is 8 to to 10 yards off the LOS and 8 yards outside the QB. The row outside cones closest to the safety are 15 to 20 yards off the LOS and 12 yards outside the QB Line up a safety behind the middle cone, and a QB directly behind the LOS On the snap, the QB will look at, then turn his shoulders towards, and then throw the ball to one of the cones. The safety should read the QB’s eyes and slide towards that cone, “jumping the route” as the QB throws the ball As the safeties get better at this drill, the QB can try to fool the safety by looking at one cone, but throwing to the other cone on the same side (it’s not fair to have the S run to the closest cone on the QB’s left, only to have the QB turn and throw it to the farthest cone on his right. The coach can add a count “one thousand one, one thousand two, etc.” to simulate a rush on the QB. After running through this, the coach can add a little conditioning by having the DB then sprint, shuffle, high knee from one cone to the next after his finishes his reads.

DB – Tip Drill  Purpos pose:

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To te teach th the DB DB’s to to co conce ncentrate on on th the bal balll

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

Procedure:

• • •

Line up a DB 5 or more yards away from a coach or QB The QB will throw the ball towards the DB, who will tip it into the air then try to catch it. As they get better at it, you can have them tip it two or more times before catching it

DB – Zig–Zag Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e:

Procedure:

To deve develo lop p the the abil abilit itie ies s to read read and and reac reactt to to the the QB’ QB’s s shou should lder ers, s, and and to to rot rotat ate e hips hips and and cha chang nge e direction quickly • • •

•

Line up one or more DB’s on a line about two yards away from a coach or QB On the snap, the DB’s will backpedal The QB will turn his shoulders as though he is going to pass in that direction, and the DB’s will react by planting and driving off at 45° in that direction The QB may throw the ball to a particular back who must catch it, yell “Bingo!” and sprint towards the end zone

Defense (general) Drills Defense – Angle Tackle Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e: Procedure:

Comb Combin ines es tack tackli ling ng skil skills ls with with prop proper er purs pursui uitt and and leve levera rage ge and and posi positi tion. on. • •

• •

•

Align two cones five yards a part. Divide players into two single file lines five yards apart facing one another and designate one group as the ball carriers and the other group as the defenders. The coach stands behind the first defender and signals the direction to the ball carrier. On the coach's cadence, the ball carrier takes off the designated cone. The defender  closes the distance and executes a proper angle tackle. The Drill should be conducted so that all defenders work angle tackling to both the right and left sides.

Defense – Inside Runner Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e:

Procedure:

To teac teach h the the defe defens nse e the the adva advant ntag ages es of turn turnin ing g a sweep sweepin ing g bal balll car carri rier er back back to the the ins insid ide. e. By taking a proper pursuit angle, they will force the RB back inside to the teeth of your defense • • • •

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Line up the DL and LB’s across from an RB Run this half speed to start On the snap, the RB runs a sweep/pitch play to one side Your DE should get to where he needs to be, if he is playing outside contain, to turn the

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook  •

RB back inside If the RB gets past the DE, the LB should also be taking a proper pursuit angle to get to the corner first, forcing the RB to cut back

Defense – Shed and Tackle Drill  Pur Purpose pose:: Procedure:

Teac Teach h def defen ende derr to to tak take e on, on, then then shed shed a blo block ck,, and and make make a tac tackl kle. e. •

• •

Line up defender about 5 yards from an offensive player between two bags that are about 5 yards apart. Behind the lineman should be a ball carrier with with the ball. Coach will give the offense a direction to go either right or left. Defender must read the direction of the lineman, attack his hip and make the tackle of the ball carrier between the two bags

Defense – String It Out Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e:

Procedure:

Agai Agains nstt swee sweeps ps/p /pit itch ches es,, tea teach ches es def defen ender ders s how how to to stuf stufff the the gap gaps s and and take take on on bloc blocks ks ear early ly in the the offensive play’s development •

•

•

•

•

You can line up the full offense vs. defense for this drill, but it should be run at half speed to illustrate the tactics Have the offense execute a toss sweep, pitch or screen pass with any pulling linemen getting to their spots Each defender has to perform his responsibility first (watch for over pursuit which can lead to weakness vs. counters, reverses, etc.) While pursuing, the “early arriving” defenders must take on blockers before they can get downfield. The “pursuing” defenders must then plug the holes as they go

Defensive Line Drills DL – Close Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e:

Procedure:

To deve develo lop p quic quickn knes ess s and and good good bod body y posi positi tion on whi while le clo closi sing ng the the dis dista tanc nce e betw betwee een n the the DL who who is is pass rushing and the OL who is pass blocking • • •

Line up 2 to 5 OL and the same number of DL. Have the DL line up at the LOS, but have the OL line up 2 to 3 yards behind the LOS. On the snap, the OL shuffles straight back while the DL closes the distance and executes a pass rush move once the reach the OL

DL – Conquer Drill  Purpose:

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To de develop me mental qu quickness in in th the DL DL

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

Procedure:

• •

•

•

Line up a single OL against a single DL Coach stands behind the DL and signals to the OL the direction he (the OL) is to block the DL and the snap count One the snap, the DL should “read the will” of the OL, and fight through the block, trying to get himself “across the face” of the OL. For example, the OL is assigned to block block the DL to the OL’s left. On the snap, the DL should sense that block based on the OL’s first step, position of his hands, helmet and backside. The DL should use his hands to keep separation from the OL OL and fight across the face of the DL

DL – Find and React Drill  Pur Purpose pose:: Procedure:

Teach each DL to to fifind the the bal ball car carrrier and and to to rea react ct qui quickl ckly. • • • • •

Two or three defenders take their respective stances at the line of scrimmage. A Center snaps a ball to a lone back who takes off at full sprint to either sideline. A coach calls out the snap count trying to draw the defenders offside. On the snap the defenders fire off the line and p ursue the ball carrier. When time and or manpower allow, two offensive linemen and an extra ball carrier can be used to perfect the defenders ability to "find" the football.

DL – First to the QB Drill  Purpos pose: Procedure:

Teaches DL to to ge get in into th the ba backfield qu quickly • • •

•

Lineup the DL against other players/coaches holding bags (representing the OL) Have another player/coach holding a bag representing the QB On the snap, the DL must execute one move (bull rush, swim, rip, twist, etc) and then get past the bag and be the first to hit the QB You can try to motivate them more by allowing the “winner” of each round to sit out, while the rest of the DL must go again. Do this until you get down to the “slowest” “slowest” kids, and then you know who to work with

DL – Gap Drill (DT) Pur Purpose pose:: Procedure:

Teach each DTs to to sho shoot ot the gap gap qui quic ckly kly whi whille st stayi aying low. ow. • • • •

Page 38 of 84

Setup on offensive guard and one tackle, with the DT in that gap. A coach plays the center, calls the cadence and hikes the ball to himself. On the snap, the coach moves into the G/T gap and holds the ball out behind the G. The DT must try to penetrate penetrate the OL and swipe the ball out of the coach’s hand. You can try to draw the DT offside with a hard count, or use a silent count to teach the DT to move on the snap.

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

DL – Goal Line Tackle Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e: Procedure:

Teac Teach h DL DL to to mai maint ntai ain n a goo good d sta stance nce and and to to driv drive e the the RB back backwa ward rds, s, away away from from the the goa goall lin line. e. • •

• •

Set up four cones in a square that is three yards long & wide Line up a ball carrier even with one set of cones (the LOS), and a defensive lineman even with the other set (the goal line). On the snap, the ball carrier runs STRAIGHT towards the goal line The DL must: Maintain a solid base o o Keep his feet moving o Meet the RB as far away from the GL as possible Hit the RB high and engage as much surface on him as possible o o Keep his head up during the tackle o Drive the RB backwards (this CANNOT be done if the feet stop moving!)

DL – Hold and Tackle Drill  Pur Purpose pose:: Procedure:

To teac teach h the the DL to hold hold his his gro groun und, d, shed shed a blo block ck and and mak make e a tack tackle le •

•

•

Setup a RB who will carry the ball, a coach or player holding a heavy bag (representing the OL), a defensive player who will engage the OL, and two cones indicating the boundary of the running area. On the snap, the DL will engage the heavy bag and the RB will run towards towards one of the cones As the RB approaches, the DL must shed the block and tackle the ball carrier 

DL – Hoops Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e:

Procedure: Page 39 of 84

To deve develo lop p the the abil abilit ity y of a defe defens nsiv ive e linem lineman an to to get get on the the edge edge of of an offe offens nsiv ive e play player er in in pass pass protection. Also, to teach the defensive lineman to “shorten the corner” around pass protector. •

Set up a circle with a 1 yd. diameter using line paint, rope, or whatever you have available

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook  • •

•

• •

Position a DL 1 yd outside the circle in his stance On the snap, the DL bursts from his stance and run the circle twice, keeping as close to the circle as possible In order to accomplish this, the DL should lean into the circle as much as possible without falling over. If he does fall over, he should crab back up and continue By having the DL lean into the circle, this reduces the surface on which the OL can deliver  his punch because the lean turns the shoulders sideways, making the pass rusher  “skinny”

DL – NG and C Drill  Pur Purpose pose:: Procedure:

Teach each NG to to fifind the the bal ball an and to to rea react ct qui quickl ckly to to th the bal ball. l. • •

•

Match up the NG against an actual center with the coach as QB. The coach will call the cadence then take the snap and drop back, holding the ball up for  pass or out for handoff. If using the handoff, the coach can either run in the direction he is holding the ball, or in the opposite direction. The NG will drive into into the center and read the ball. If the ball is held low (run) he continues to drive back the center and looks to pursue the QB by shedding the center to chase the QB down the LOS. If the ball is held high (pass) the NG sheds and runs to the coach for the sack.

DL – Off the Ball Drill  Pur Purpose pose:: Procedure:

To deve develo lop p qui quick ck reac reacti tion on to mov movem emen entt of the bal ball • • •

Have DL line up in their stance On movement of the ball, have them execute a good, pads level, 5 yd. sprint The coach can use “hard counts,” “silent counts,” etc. to train the DL to ONLY go on the movement of the ball.

DL – Sled Work  Purp Purpos ose: e: Procedure:

To deve develo lop p quic quick k fir fire e off off on the the sna snap p and and cor corre rect ct body body posi positi tion on (ha (hand nds s out out,, hea head, d, up, up, etc etc.) .) • • •

The DL should work on the sled as much as the OL On the snap, the DL should use his hands to “protect his body” You can also line up a DL on each end of the sled and use that to practice your rips, swims and spin moves

DL – Technique Drills Pur Purpose pose::

Teac Teach h the the DTs DTs how how to use use the their ir hand hands s aga agaiinst nst the the offe offens nsiv ive e lin linem eman an

Procedure:

THE PUNCH : The ability to deliver a good blow on the Offensive Lineman with the punch is the key to using the hands. After exploding out of his stance on movement by the OL the 1st thing your DT must do is deliver the punch. The aiming point for the hands on the punch should be the outside of the breastplate on the OL.

Key Coaching Points for the Punch: #1 The DT should keep his elbows in tight (touching his rib cage). #2 Thumbs should be pointed straight up. #3 On contact the palm of the hand should hit Page 40 of 84

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

the outside of the breastplate and the fingers should be positioned up under the armpit. #4 This positioning of the hands will give the DT the ability to send the OL where he wants him to go. #5 A proper punch creates separation between the OL and DT and SEPARATION IS A MUST! PUSH/PULL : Punch the offensive lineman with your hands which will get him off balance, once he is off balance pull him toward you and more often often than not he will fall to the ground. I also like to use this move when the DL is engaged with the OL. As the DL uses his hands to push and create separation, the OL will (obviously) (obviously) push back. The DL can use the OL’s own momentum against against him. The DL must decide decide which side of the the OL he wishes to use. use. He then pushes with with that hand against the OL, while pulling pulling forward with the other. For example, if the DT wants wants to go to his left against the OT, then the DT must push with his left hand, and pull with his right. right. This has the effect of getting the OT perpendicular perpendicular to the LOS instead of parallel. parallel. The DT can then step past the OT with his right foot and pursue. THE RIP : The DT must decide which which side to rip to. He must the keep his shoulder pads at least as low as the OL’s armpit and be in a GOOD STANCE (if the DT loses his balance because he’s standing up too tall and in a sprinter’s stance, this this will NEVER work). The DT then steps across the OT’s face, and “throws an uppercut” under under the OT’s elbow. If done hard and quick enough, this will knock the OT off balance balance and allow the DT to get past. For example, if the DT wants wants to rip to his left (the OL’s right), he needs to: 1. KEEP KEEP HIMSELF HIMSELF LOWER LOWER than than the OT, OT, and and in a good stance stance 2. Step Step across across the the OT’s OT’s face face with with his RIGH RIGHT T foot foot 3. Take his his right arm arm UNDER UNDER the OT’s OT’s right right elbow, elbow, and “throw “throw a quick, quick, hard uppercu uppercut” t” driving the OT’s right arm straight up into the air. 4. Step Step into the gap with with his left foot, foot, then then quickly quickly step with with his right foot, foot, placing placing it down down behind the feet of the OT (if the OT tries to step back or turn his body to block you, he will trip over your foot) THE SWIM : Again, the DT must decide decide which side of the OT he wants to go through. The DT then takes his outside arm and uses it to slap the elbow of the OT and pin it to his body. The DT then takes his inside arm and shoots it straight past past the bicep of the OT. For example, if the DT wants wants to swim to his left, he needs to: 1. KEEP KEEP HIMSELF HIMSELF LOWER LOWER than than the OT, OT, and and in a good stance! stance! 2. Use his his LEFT arm arm to grab grab the right right elbow of of the OT and and DRIVE DRIVE it into into the OT’s OT’s body, pinning it there (this stops the OT from being able to use his hand 3. Take his his right arm and and shoot it straigh straightt back past the the OT’s right right arm (it (it looks like like the DT is “throwing a jab,” though his hand isn’t in a fist; and even though it’s called the SWIM move, DO NOT have your DT circle his arm up over his head like he would if he was actually swimming. swimming. He opens his body up too much, and will either get blocked, have have his shoulder injured, or both) 4. Step Step past the OT with with his RIGHT RIGHT foot, foot, putting putting it down BEHIND BEHIND the the feet of the OT (if (if the OT tries to step back or turn his body to block you, he will trip over your foot) 5. Drive Drive his right right elbow elbow into the the back of the the OT and use use that to to propel himse himself lf past

DL – Rapid Fire Drill  Pur Purpose pose:: Procedure:

Work Works s on pass pass rush rush tech techni niqu ques es in a cont contro roll lled ed envi enviro ronm nmen entt • •

•

Page 41 of 84

Divide linemen into two groups. Position three defenders in a single file line, three yards apart. The defensive player will face the first of three blockers in a line. On the coach's command, the d efender will consecutively engage and execute a pass rush technique on each of the blockers. The Drill should be conducted u ntil all defenders have had sufficient number of repetitions.

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook  •

Check for proper form and technique in each of the defender's moves.

DL – Read and React Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e:

Procedure:

Teac Teache hes s the the def defens ensiv ive e linem lineman an to to rea read d and and reco recogn gniz ize e the the typ type e of bloc block k of the the oppos opposin ing g offe offens nsiv ive e lineman by the first head movement. • •

•

•

This is a progressive Drill: First have 3 defensive linemen at a time lineup and face the coach, who will do the head motions. The defensive line man must react quickly to the head movements. Next pair up the defensive linemen, and a coach standing behind the designated defensive lineman signaling the kind of block and snap count to the designated offensive lineman. Have the defensive lineman react to the movement of the opposing offensive lineman. Finally, lineup one defensive lineman against three offensive linemen to work on correct reactions to away and combination blocks. Again the coach will stand behind the defensive lineman and signal block and snap count.

Linebacker Drills LB – 1–step Drill  Pur Purpose pose:: Procedure:

Teac Teache hes s lin lineb ebac acke kers rs how how to to mak make e con conta tact ct with with an offe offens nsiv ive e pla playe yer  r  •

•

•

•

Pair up linebackers facing each other. other. The linebacker will line line up opposite a bag holder  and be shaded to the left. The linebacker’s right foot foot should be slightly back and in the middle of the bag. The right shoulder should be on the bag. On command, LB will take a six inch step with his right foot to the bag and throw his forearm through the bag. The foot should make contact on the ground at the same time time the forearm hits the bag. Emphasize a quick step and contact and accelerate through contact. Repeat Drill with left shoulder 

LB – Blitz the QB Drill  Pur Purpose pose:: Procedure:

Teac Teache hes s lin lineb ebac acke kers rs wher where e to to att attac ack k the the OL when when a bli blitz tz is call called ed • • •

•

Lineup the LB’s across from cones (representing your DL) or against the actual DL Have a coach or a player in the backfield acting as the QB As the players lineup, the coach calls out a blitz (early in the year, you can point at the blitzing LB) and call for the snap On the snap, the LB takes the proper path to the QB whom he tags

LB – Block Shed Drill  Pur Purpose pose:: Procedure:

Teach eaches es line ineback backer ers s how how to at attack, ack, then hen sh shed a bl blocke ocker  r  • • •

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Line up LB head up on bag holder about 5 yards away. On cadence, have LB attack the bag with his right shoulder. The LB should aim his right shoulder at the hip of the defender.

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook  •

•

LB should look to make contact with his right foot, right shoulder and forearm at the same time and get to the hip of the blocker. LB should break down after getting to the hip of offensive lineman and redirect to football

LB – Defeating a Trap Block Drill  Pur Purpose pose:: Procedure:

Teach each the the LB LB to rec reco ogni gnize and and def defea eatt a tr trap bloc block. k. • • • •

• •

• •

•

Line up the five OL (you can include the DL when the LB’s master this without them) Direct the LB which gap he is to attack On the snap, the trapping OL moves towards the hole, along with the LB The instant the linebacker sees the lineman in front of him block toward the ball, he must shift his attention to the tackle on his outside, making sure that he is not coming on an angle block. If neither of these men is blocking him, the linebacker must attack the line of scrimmage As the linebacker moves forward, he must look past the center to the OL on the other side of the ball. As soon as he determines who the trap blocker is, the LB must set to defeat it As the trapping lineman begins to throw his block, the linebacker should bring his OUTSIDE OUTSIDE shoulder and forearm hard across the blocker's helmet and shoulder pads, redirecting the blocker's body into the hole in which the ball carrier eventually will try to run. As with taking on a drive block, it is important that the linebacker keep his knees bent, his back straight, and his shoulders at the same height as the blocker's shoulders

LB – Multiple Shed Drill  Pur Purpose pose:: Procedure:

Teach eaches es line ineback backer ers s how how to at attack, ack, then hen sh shed a bl blocke ocker  r  • •

•

•

Page 43 of 84

Line up 3 agility bags on the ground about 5 yards apart. LB will line up outside the the first bag. In between the first two sets of bags is a blocker that that the linebacker must take on with his shoulder  Outside the third bag is a ball carrier that they must wrap up then perform a good form tackle. LB takes on first blocker, blocker, turns and drops, shuffles, takes takes on second blocker, blocker, then backs up shuffles and form tackles either a ball carrier or a giant bean b ag

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

LB – Pass (or Draw) Drill  Pur Purpose pose:: Procedure:

Teac Teache hes s lin lineb ebac acke kers rs prop proper er back backpe peda dall and and chan change ge of dire direct ctio ion n • • •

LB flows over bags, dummies, or whatever you can lay on the ground. He shoves the bags into the ground as he crosses them. His head should be up the entire time, his feet feet should never cross. Go in both directions.

LB – Piano (or Flow Over) Drill  Pur Purpose pose:: Procedure:

Teac Teache hes s line lineba back cker ers s how how to stay stay para parall llel el to LOS LOS and and shuf shuffl fle e • • •

LBs flow over bags, dummies, or whatever you can lay on the ground. He shoves the bags into the ground as he crosses them. His head should be up the entire time, his feet feet should never cross. Go in both directions.

LB – Read Drills Pur Purpose pose::

Teac Teach h Lin Lineb ebac acke kers rs to reac reactt to to mos mostt com commo mon n blo block cks s by by off offen ensi sive ve line line

Proc Procedu edure re::

Refe Referr to to the the grap graphi hic c at at the the bott bottom om for for the the numb number er key. key. 1. Pass blocki blocking: ng: If the OL OL drop back back to pass pass block, block, the LB should should step step back 1–3 1–3 steps steps and outside another 1–3 steps looking for pass receivers. receivers. OLB should look for “out” routes routes and receivers in the the flat. ILB should look for for “in” routes 2. If the OG OG “blocks “blocks down” down” on the NG, NG, the ILB should should slam slam his outsid outside e shoulder shoulder into the the inside of the OT on the same side, looking for a run into his B gap.

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2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

3. If the OG OG pulls pulls to the other other side of of the line, line, the LB on the the OG’s OG’s side of the the line will will trail trail the OG over to the running lane and plugs the hole. For #8, if the LB is quick enough, he can slam through the hole vacated by the pulling OG. 4. If the OG OG pulls pulls from the the same side, side, the LB on on the OG’s OG’s side of the the line can can also trail trail him and fill the hole. However, if the LB is quick enough, he can crash the vacant hole hole left by the OG. The LB had better be quick though, or he will be trailing trailing the RB Images 5 – 10 (with the exception of #8) show various stunts/blitzes used by LB’s. •

LB – Shuffle Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e: Procedure:

Teac Teache hes s lin lineb ebac acke kers rs to keep keep thei theirr sho shoul ulde ders rs squa square re and and dev devel elop op feet feet agil agilit ity. y. • •

•

•

Linebackers stand in a single file line behind the cone. The coach gives a "set" command and the first linebacker steps up to a good football hitting position. On the next command, "hit", the linebacker shuffles over the bags leading with his right foot. As the linebacker crosses the last dummy, he turns and sprints past the cone. Make sure you work the Drill to both sides.

LB & DL – Stunting Drill  Purpos pose: Procedure:

Teaches LB’s an and DL DL wh where to to go go dur duriing a stunt • • •

Line up your defensive front seven against cones (representing your OL) or the a ctual OL The coach will call a stunt On the snap, the DL & LB will execute the stunt (start at half-speed)

LB & S – Zone Read Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e: Procedure:

To teac teach h the the LBs LBs and and safe safeti ties es how how to to rea read d a pass pass play play whil while e def defen endi ding ng the the mid middl dle e zon zone. e. • •

•

Page 45 of 84

Set up a QB and two WRs on offense, and one LB or S on defense On the snap, the WRs release on post, slant slant or in routes. Once the defenders get the hang of this, then have the WRs release straight up the field The QB will take a three, three, five, or seven–step drop then throw to one receiver. If the

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook  •

• • •

defender slides early, the QB should throw to the other receiver  Once the defensive player sees the QB drop back to pa ss, the defender should yell out “PASS!” He should also take three backwards steps and “follow “follow the QB’s eyes” Once the QB throws the ball, the defender makes a play on the ball. If the QB rolls, the defender must mirror his movements, staying square to the LOS. You can also add the OL and DL to teach run/pass blocking recognition.

LB & S – Zone Read Drill #2  Purp Purpos ose: e: Procedure:

To teac teach h the the LBs LBs and and saf safet etie ies s how how to read read a pass pass or or run run pla play y whi while le defe defend ndin ing g the the midd middle le zone zone.. • • •

• •

•

• • • •

Page 46 of 84

Setup 3 cones to simulate the C and both guards Set up a QB, RB and one or two WRs on offense and one LB or S on defense This drill is run just like the one above, but you add the element of a running play, forcing the LB to make a choice On the snap, the WRs release on post, slant or in routes. The QB will do one of three things: handoff to the RB who must run a “dive” between the cones, drop back to throw, or roll out to throw. throw. For more advanced kids, you can add a “play action” move, forcing the LB to be even more aware of this surroundings Once the defensive player sees the QB drop back to pa ss, the defender should yell out “PASS!” He should also take three quick backwards steps and “follow “follow the QB’s eyes” Once the QB throws the ball, the defender makes a play on the ball. If the QB rolls, the defender must mirror his movements, staying square to the LOS. If the QB hands off, the LB/S must step up to make a play on the ball You can also add the OL and DL to teach run/pass blocking recognition.

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

Offense (general) Drills Offense – Blitz Read and Pickup Drill  Pur Purpose pose:: Procedure:

To tea teach ch off offens ense to to rea read d and and pic pick up up a bli blitzi tzing defe defend nder  er  • •

•

•

•

•

Line up the offensive front 7 vs. the defensive front 7 Start off by running at half speed to get the offensive players used to seeing what is coming The offense will “run a play” with no ball, and on the snap, one (start with one, then you can add a second or third blitzer) defender is charged with finding his way into the backfield. The offense should communicate with each other once they recognize who is blitzing and where he is coming from The running back, slot back, wing back (whatever) must pick up any blitzing defenders who make it through the OL This drill works well if you will be facing a defense that likes to stunt

Offense – Half Line Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e:

Procedure:

Allo Allows ws you you to to prac practi tice ce run runni ning ng pla plays ys wit with h the the focu focus s one one side side of of you yourr offe offens nse e vs. vs. one one side side of of your  your  defense •

• •

•

Line up the C, G, T and TE from either the left or right side o f your offense, along with a QB and 1 or 2 RB’s Line up the DL and LB’s from that side of your defense across the LOS You can run plays to this side and ensure that your OL are blocking correctly, that the RB is running to the correct hole, and that the QB is pivoting correctly, etc. This allows you to focus solely on one side of the offense

Offense – Read and Recognize Skeleton Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e:

Procedure:

Allo Allows ws your your QB/ QB/RB RB to read read wha whatt def defens ense e is is bei being ng cal calle led d and and make make the the cor corre rect ct the the cor corre rect ct throw/cutback without the linemen • •

• •

Line up your offense and defensive units, minus the linemen (should be 7 vs. 7) On the snap, each player will execute execute his assignment. The QB will execute his handoff handoff or  drop back, the RB will execute taking the handoff or running his route, while the WR’s and TE will run their routes. The defensive unit will execute their stunt, b litz, and coverage, etc. The QB will throw to the open receiver or the RB will cut to avoid blitzing and/or stunting LB’s

Offensive Line Drills OL – 1st  Steps Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e: Procedure: Page 47 of 84

To teac teach h off offen ensi sive ve line linema man n eac each h of of the the firs firstt ste steps ps they they may may be be req requi uire red d to to use use •

The first couple of practices, practices, you can start the OL in a two–point stance. Once they get

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook  •

•

•

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comfortable with these steps, drop them into a three–point stance. Jab step: This is the step to use if the OL has to perform a “gap block.” block.” On the “snap,” have each OL take a 6” forward directional step and punch through with the up hand Drive step: On the snap, have each OL take a forward step about 8” to 12”. Punch with the up hand. Open step: This is the step to use if the OL has to perform a down block, short trap or up on an LB. On the snap, the OL OL takes a 6” step at 45°. Again, punch with with the up hand. Drop step: This is the step to use on long trap, pass, the kick out part of an “X” block and the fold block. On the snap, the OL OL takes a step straight straight backwards Slide step: This is the step to use on a reach block or by a TE who has an outside release. On the snap, take an an 8” step to the outside outside

OL – 10–yard Drive Drill  Purpose: Procedure:

To teach the OL to KEEP blocking until the whistle •

• •

•

Often times, the OL think that their job is over as soon as they make initial contact with the DL Lineup one or more OL, each with a coach or DL holding a shield across from him On the snap, the OL fires OUT, makes contact and performs a drive block, moving the DL 10–yards backwards Dl can start by offering light resistance, then more as the OL get better 

OL – Basic Blocking Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e: Procedure:

To teac teach h off offen ensi sive ve line linema man n to to sta stay y in in the the prop proper er stan stance ce whil while e mak makin ing g his his bloc block k • • •

Line up one or more OL and have a coach or player holding a heavy bag across from him On the “snap,” the OL fires OUT (not up) and blocks the heavy bag Coach should ensure that: OL’s feet are shoulder width apart His shoulders are low and squared His neck is bowed His hips push up and forward when making contact That he maintains contact until the whistle blows • • • • •

OL – Bear Crawl Block Drill  Purpose: Procedure:

Build agility and strength • • • •

•

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Line up an OL and a DL about two yards away The OL starts in the bear–crawl position, the DL can be in a two or three–point stance On the whistle, the DL “rushes the passer” at about half speed. The OL must stay in bear crawl position and move in front of the DL, stopping his penetration The object for the DL is to run directly directly at, or to either shoulder of the OL. Try to avoid having the DL run a big looping rush route

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

OL – Best Move Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e:

Procedure:

To tea teach ch off offen ensi sive ve lin linem eman an to to stay stay in in the the prop proper er sta stanc nce e whil while e work workin ing g on foo footw twor ork k and and deli delive veri ring ng a punch to the DL • •

Requires two cones, one OL and one DL. Starting at one cone, the two linemen linemen will shuffle to the other cone. The OL will deliver a punch every couple of steps.

Coaching points while shuffling: Do not let heels click Keep your weight balanced Keep your hips down The punch should only be about 6”. DO NOT reach reach for the DL • • • •

OL – Blocking Linebackers Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e:

Procedure:

To teac teach h off offen ensi sive ve line linema man n the the prop proper er angl angle e to to tak take e whe when n blo block ckin ing g an LB and and to to help help them them be more effective delivering a blow when the LB reacts to the ball carrier  • •

•

•

•

Requires at least one OL, a tennis ball, and one LB with a shield. A coach will tell the OL which way the ball carrier (represented by the tennis ball) is going to run, and will stand behind the OL. On the snap, the coach rolls the ball in the a ssigned direction, and the OL must fire out and block the LB. The LB, on the snap, will read the direction of the play (based on the direction the OL leads, and then finding the ball carrier), and attack. The OL needs to block the LB at the point where the LB attacks the ball carrier.

OL – Body Position Drill  Purpose: Procedure:

Teaches proper body position for pass blocking. •

• • •

The defensive lineman aligns in a challenge position with his hands grabbing the shoulders of the blocker. The blocker assumes the proper lock out position. Align a cone in the backfield, representing the quarterback. On the coach's command, the blocker shuffles his feet, maintaining an inside position as the defender moves side to side and toward the passing point.

OL – Counter (Pull) Blocking Drill  Purpose:

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Teaches proper footwork and blocking technique when pulling

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

Procedure:

Line up the C, G and T from either the left or right side of the OL, and the opposite side DT, DE, and ILB on defense. Center: •

Down block the DT

Guards: • • • •

Step back with foot nearest the C, then push out with far–side foot Work downhill towards the inside half of the DE As you prepare to make contact, keep your feet wide, and in a good stance Deliver a forearm shiver, then lift and drive the DE

Tackle: • • • • •

Step back with foot nearest the C, then push out with far–side foot Work on getting depth so you don’t get bunched up with the C or G Find the LB and take him on as soon as you can As you prepare to make contact, keep your feet shoulder width apart and in a good stance Deliver a good 2–hand punch and drive him out of the hole

OL – Down Block Drill  Purpose:

To develop a good, aggressive down block technique

Procedure:

Requires two OL, two blocking dummies and two cones Line up the OL(s) with WIDE splits on the LOS Line up the players holding the dummies (DL) one yard off the LOS, each one yard to the inside of the OL Line up the cones about 0.5 to 1 yard behind, and to the inside of, the DL Line up one coach about 3 yards behind and in between the DL On the snap, each OL steps towards the DL with his near foot (using an “open step”), while his head aims for the front of the bag The OL should drive the dummy towards the coach and past the cone • •

• • •

•

OL – Duck, FIT, Finish Drill  Purpose:

To strengthen the legs, then to teach the proper progression from fit position to initial contact, to drive

Procedure:

Requires OL and at least one blocking dummy DL will line up 6 yards off the LOS •

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2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

OL will duck walk five yards, then come up to proper fit position OL will then deliver a 2 hand punch to the pectoral area of DL Finally, OL will lift the DL and snap his hips under, driving DL backwards Coaching points: OL MUST stay low and maintain a good base throughout • • •

•

OL – Duck Walk Drill  Purpose: Procedure:

To strengthen the legs •

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Your natural tendency after the the ball is snapped is to “fire up” instead of “fire “fire out.” You MUST stay low and use leverage leverage (not just your strength) to defeat the defender. Your  legs should be strong and you should have good endurance to block properly for the entire game Begin with the feet shoulder width a part and slightly staggered (either one foot slightly further back than the other). Bend the knees, not the back, to a 9 0 degree angle so that hips are parallel with their  knees. This is a weightlifting weightlifting squatting technique. Bend at the waist setting your belly on your thighs. Try to make your back as flat as possible. With a flat back, DO NOT pick your belly up off your thighs, lift your neck back so that your  eyes are looking forward. Walk this way for 5 yards, you should get tired right away, but work on it throughout the day to build up stamina and strength in your legs. Try to build yourself up to 10 yards, 15 yards, 20 yards, etc.

OL – Finish Drill  Purpose:

To teach proper leverage, hand thrust, along with hip and foot movement to finish a b lock

Procedure:

Place payers into three lines. Have line one (defense) step out and face line two (offense) The coach will stand behind line two and give line one a hand signal in the direction he wants them to move after the initial collision. On command, line two (offense) will carry out the entire drive block from start to finish. Coaching points: When the defender reacts to the ball and the offensive player feels his weight shift, he (the OL) “comes alive,” utilizing the momentum of his opponent to finish the block. Strike a blow simultaneously with screws and hands Thrust the arms, lead the hips, and knees inside • •

•

•

• •

OL – First to the Flag Drill  Purpose: Procedure:

To teach the OL how to fire out QUICKLY • • •

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•

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Setup the linemen with the correct splits in a straight line Across from each lineman (about 2–5 yards away) is a cone Call out the cadence and on the snap, the players fire OUT (not UP) and the first to grab his cone “wins” and gets to sit out the next round Continue until you have identified who are your slowest players coming out of their stance, and now you know who to work on On a false start penalty, move the linemen back five yards, and they will run the rest of the

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

drill from there

OL – Four winds Drill  Purpose: Procedure:

To develop an aggressive attitude in blocking that will foster a desire to finish off a block. •

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• •

• •

•

Requires 5 players and four shields. We use five players for this drill with four that have shields. One on each direction East, West, South, and North face a player that is in the middle. The coach gives each shield player a number. When their number is called they rush the center player who sets in that direction and delivers a “wishbone block” looking to drive the player back. We size the players up so that the weights are close. This teaches players to deliver a blow and keep a low base. It gives them confidence in themselves to deliver a good blow. He should be hit by a ll four directions before leaving the square. After the players become good at it you can remove the sh ields. The square is three yards from the center player.

OL – Good Balance Drill  Purpose:

Procedure:

Teaches linemen and blocking backs to keep their feet apart and keep their bodies from being pushed, pulled or tipped from side to side. •

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•

•

Have the players line up across from each other and grab the shoulder pads of the player  opposite them. On the coach’s command, one of the players, the defensive player, tries to get his opponent off balance by pushing, pulling and tipping from side to side. This forces the offensive player to get low, get a wide base, and move his feet to keep his balance. Switch offensive and defensive players and continue drill.

OL – Hat on the Dummy Drill  Purpose:

•

• • •

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Improve 5–man line line dynamic coordination in in pass blocking. Improve pass pocket formation and protection. Improve timing of scripted blitzes against an offensive line. Improve offensive reaction to blitzes. Teaches the O–Line to work together in dynamic situations and p rovides fast repetitions while giving the defense front 7 pass rush and scripted blitz practice at the same time.

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

Procedure:

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Coaching Points:

• • • • •

You will need all 5 interior offensive linemen, the defensive front 7 including down linemen and linebackers, 1 heavy blocking/tackling bag, 1 cone and 1 football. Set offensive line at LOS with heavy bag positioned at 5 or 7 step QB distance behind center. Place cone on top of bag just for fun. Set defensive front 7 at LOS in their their usual alignments. On coach’s cadence and snap count, center snaps ball out of the way and Drill begins at full speed with offensive line dropping for pass protection. Defensive front applies pass rush attempting to tackle heavy bag or retrieve cone within 5 seconds of the snap. Defense is permitted to run any of its scripted blitz schemes but must be encouraged not to recklessly rush all 7 men just to defeat the offensive line. This Drill is intended to be productive for both the offense and defense at LOS. Coach blows whistle 5 seconds after snap ending the Drill if defense has not sacked QB (bag). Repeat Drill moving bag to different pocket locations and changing defensive front to give different looks for the offensive line. Offensive line must protect the QB for 5 seconds while defensive front must apply aggressive pass rush to sack QB within 5 seconds. Add 1 RB to backfield to improve pass protection once blitz schemes start to dominate O–Line. Make sure O–Line protect inside lanes first Coach O–Line to keep heads up looking for the blitz Check proper pass drop and contact techniques for O–Line Make sure defensive down linemen use varying techniques – bull, swim, rip, stunt. Make sure linebackers do not hesitate when their number comes up for scripted blitz

OL – Hill Drill  Purpose: Procedure:

Conditioning for the bigger guys, and works on them firing out and driving • •

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• •

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You will need a hill for this drill (duh, LOL) You can start this drill without without any DL. Simply have the OL fire out, then then charge up the hill. Once they get used to that… Setup an OL at the bottom, with two DL standing on the hill, one 2 – 5 yards away, the other 5 – 10 yards away Each DL should have a shield On the snap, the OL fires UP the hill and engages the first DL who offers LIGHT resistance (to start, you can increase the resistance as your OL get in better shape) The OL drives the DL up the hill to a designated spot, where the first DL releases, and the OL must hit the second DL and drive him up the hill to a designated spot

OL – Hip Extension Drill  Pur Purpose pose:: Procedure:

Teac Teache hes s pla playe yers rs how how to to use use his his bi big mus muscl cle e gro group up in driv drive e blo block ck •

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•

Setup one player holding blocking shield and a “blocker” on his knees in front of the shield. The blocker must be on his knees with his toes pointing backwards (do not let him curl his feet under because we don’t want him pushing off with his toes). On the snap, the blocker fires out and into the shield with his shoulder pad using his hips, back and thigh muscles.

OL – Lock on Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e: Page 53 of 84

To teac teach h the the block blocker er to main mainta tain in cont contact act in the the fol follo low w thr throu ough gh phas phase e of of blo block ckin ing. g.

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

Procedure:

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Align the offensive blocker under the chute in a three–point stance, standing at the edge of the board. Place the defender one foot away in a two–point stance. (Alternate the defenders between two and three–point stance). On the cadence, the blocker will fire out of his stance and drive the defender down the board. The defender will collide with the blocker and give resistance as he is being driven back. As the drill progresses, vary the distance between the blocker and the defender. When the defender reaches the end of the board, the coach will give a direction to spin. The blocker must continue to fight pressure where he feels pressure, lock on, and finish the block.

OL – Mirror Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e:

To deve develo lop p the the abil abilit ity y to move move and and mai maint ntai ain n the the prop proper er rel relat atio ions nshi hip p with with a movi moving ng def defen ende der  r 

Proc Proced edur ure: e:

Requi equirres to lilinem nemen and and tw two con cones es Two Linemen face each other with the offensive player in his stance. They are about 1 yd apart and have the two cones on each side of them with about 5 yds. between the cones. On command the offensive player snaps to a set position and begins to shuffle in relation to the defender who is working laterally back and forth between the cones. • •

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•

Drill should last 5 seconds and you should evaluate your lineman on set position, shuffle technique and relationship with defender.

OL – Pancake Drill  Purpose: Procedure:

Teach the OL how to drive block until their man falls down •

• • •

Line up at least one OL, each with a coach or DL holding a tackling dummy across from him On the snap, the OL fires OUT and into the dummy trying to drive the DL back 5 yards Stress the importance of proper stance and footwork here After driving the dummy 5–yards, the DL releases the dummy so the OL gets the feeling of  executing a “pancake block”

OL – Pass Block Footwork Drill  Purpose: Procedure:

To teach the OL the proper footwork and stance for pass blocking • • •

•

Page 54 of 84

Line up one or more OL, each with a cone 3 – 5 yards behind him Line up the same number of coaches or DL with blocking dummies across from the OL On the snap, the DL bring the dummies across the LOS as though they are pass rushing, and the OL must drop back, get set and use proper form to pass block Stress the importance of a good stance for the OL: Feet wide, bottom low o o Head up, hands out o Back straight and ready to deliver “the punch”

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

OL – Pull around Drill  Purpos pose: Procedure:

To teach the OL OL to to read inside to outside. •

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•

One line of blockers facing a coach – a cone is three yards away on each side of the first blocker after stepping up to the LOS and another cone is o ne yard up field and two yards inside On GO the blocker executes his pull as above but now as he reaches the first cone he moves up field and inside sprinting to the inside cone. After the entire line does it they go to the other side. Stress to read Inside/Out and block the first defender he comes to.

OL – Punch Drill  Pur Purpose pose:: Procedure:

To teac teach h the the corr correc ectt met metho hod d of of del deliv iver erin ing g a blo blow w whe when n pas pass s bl blocki ocking ng.. • • • •

Pair up offensive linemen on a line of scrimmage. The blocker aligns in a three–point stance with the defender in a challenge position. On the coach's command, the blocker sets up in the proper pass protecting position. From the set position, the blocker will punch the defender using proper technique (The punch should be made with the butt of the h ands to the inside framework of the defender's body)

OL – Punch Strength Drill  Purpose: Procedure:

Build strength in the OL’s a rms •

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Line up one or more OL, each with two light weights (dumbbells work very well with this) in front of him On the whistle, each OL will pick up his two weights, get his feet chopping, and assume proper pass block position Each time the coach calls out “punch” or some other word, the OL will shoot their arms out and deliver the punch

OL – Quick Hit Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e: Procedure:

Teac Teache hes s lin linem emen en and and blo block ckin ing g back backs s to quic quickl kly y get get from from thei theirr stanc stance e to a block blockin ing g posi positi tion on.. • •

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Line up the players in a circle, each in a good stance. On the coach’s command, they pop up into a correct pass protection position, taking a quick step with the outside foot, putting their hands up in a punch position, and assuming a squat position, ready to strike a blow. Have the players continue to repeat Drill – up,

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

down, up.

OL – Shoeshine Drill  Pur Purpose pose::

To deve develo lop p the the prop proper er cut cutof offf blo block ck tech techni niqu que e in in our our bac backs ksid ide e blo block cker ers. s.

Proced Procedure ure::

How – To execut execute e a prope properr shoesh shoeshine ine block block the the block blocker er star starts ts in in a thre three–p e–poin ointt stanc stance. e. On On “GO” “GO” he takes an open step a nd lunges to the inside (just above the nose of the next man inside) and shoots his backside/away arm across the defenders shoes and then crawls down the L OS. If each blocker executes their block correctly their backside shoulder would be near the next blockers near hip. The object is not to block the defender in the gap but to take away the gap from the defender by forcing the defender to go over or around the cutoff block. He must stay flat to the LOS and not cross it he is trying t o create a wall on the backside. Let them bear crawl for 2 yards. Try to do 3 reps to each side. Shoeshine block – a backside blocker’s technique that cuts off the inside defender on the backside when we are pulling either a backside guard or a backside guard and tackle. Open Step – a short side–step with toes at about 45 degrees.

OL – Stay Low Drill  Pur Purpose pose::

Teach eaches es linem inemen en to fifire off the the bal balll whi whille st stayi aying low

Proc Proced edur ure: e:

Need Needs: s: One One bloc blocki king ng dumm dummy y for for each each OL. OL. Lay the dummies on the ground length wise, with with the heavy end towards the OL. On the cadence, the OL will fire out and execute a shoulder block on the butt end of the bag, driving it forward until the whistle blows.

OL – Three Ball Drill  Purpos pose:

Teaches footw otwork an and pa pass bl block ock te techniques. es.

Proc Proced edur ure: e:

Set Set Up: Up: This This Dril Drilll req requi uire res s thr three ee tenn tennis is ball balls s Players are to line up in a single file line facing the coach who is on one knee about 5 yards in front facing the player. On the coach's command, the player is to have his feet about shoulder  width apart with his butt down down and head up in a good football stance. The coach is then going to roll one ball to one side and the player should SHUFFLE to the ball then roll it back. Immediately roll another ball to the opposite side and continue this for about 15 seconds. Once time is called, the next player is to move into position for his turn. Each player should get at least 5 reps before going to another Drill.

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2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

Coaching Points: Players have a tendency to drop their heads and and bend their back to get the ball. Make sure they are using their legs to squat. Also watch their feet as they will cross over as fatigue sets in. Be sure and mix up the directions you roll the ball and roll it to the same side sometimes so the player  will not get into the habit of guessing or anticipating the direction the ball will be coming from.

OL – Tennis ball Drill  Purpos pose:

To teach OL to EXPLODE out of his stanc ance

Proced Procedure ure::

Have Have the the block blocker er get get in in a good good stan stance ce and and get get arms arms leng length th away away on his his 30–de 30–degre gree e track track Tell Tell the the blocker that when you drop the tennis ball from head he ight he must explode with his gap side foot first and catch the ball as it bounces off the ground on the first bounce. Teach him to explode with his away foot and hip power step and follow through. As he improves move farther down the track; if he can catch the ball 5 feet out then he is exploding off the LOS. Now place a bag a foot behind the ball (on track) as it drops he now must get his away side shoulder into the bag and head in front with good form after he catches the ball. Later in the season you can work on near shoulder and head in back farther out.

OL – Tight X Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e: Procedure:

To deve develo lop p a pro prope perr tim timin ing g and and tec techni hniqu que e bet betwe ween en a G and and T when when per perfo form rmin ing g an an “X” “X” bloc block k • • •

•

Line up the right side of the O line vs. the left side of the D line (or vice versa) On the snap, have the T block down on the DT On the snap, the G should take a “drop step” and slide behind the T to make a block on the DE The TE can slide out to block the OLB

OL – Trap Block Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e:

Page 57 of 84

To deve develo lop p a goo good d trap trap tec techn hniq ique ue by by imp impro rovi ving ng sta stanc nce, e, foo footw twor ork k and and take take off off whil while e wor worki king ng on on delivering a aggressive block into a blocking dummy.

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

Proced Procedure ure::

How – A prope properr trap trap block block like like all all bloc blocks ks start starts s with with the the prope properr footw footwork ork and and techn techniq ique. ue. He He start starts s in a three–point stance and on “GO” he takes a drop step squares his shoulders to the bag and blocks it. The bag is 2 yards away. A good block is indicated by the bag popping up and back at the same time. Let the blockers drive the bag 3 yards back. The holder should provide moderate resistance and be point at the postman. Try for 3 reps to each side. Drop Step – a short slightly backward step with toes at about 45 degrees

OL – Trap Block Drill #2  Purp Purpos ose: e:

To deve develo lop p a goo good d trap trap tec techn hniq ique ue by by imp impro rovi ving ng sta stanc nce, e, foo footw twor ork k and and take take off off whil while e wor worki king ng on on delivering an aggressive block into a blocking dummy.

Proc Procedu edure re::

Need Needs s – 1 to to 5 cone cones s and and the the sam same e num numbe berr of of shi shiel elds ds,, dum dummi mies es A proper pull block like all blocks starts with the proper footwork and technique. He starts in a three–point stance and on “GO” he takes a drop step and does his best to keep his shoulders squares to the LOS until he pulls around the cone which is 2 yards away and come around and meet the bag. He must attack the bag and block it. Make the bag pop when you hit it. Let the blockers drive the bag 3 yards back. The holder should provide moderate resistance and be pointed at the point where the blocker will meet the bag. Try for 3 reps to each side. Drop Step – a short slightly backward step with toes at 45 degrees

OL – Trap Block Drill #3 Purp Purpos ose: e:

Procedure:

To deve develo lop p a goo good d trap trap tec techn hniq ique ue by by imp impro rovi ving ng sta stanc nce, e, foo footw twor ork k and and take take off off whil while e wor worki king ng on on delivering an aggressive block into a live defender. • •

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Line up the O line vs. the defensive front (DL & LB) If facing a 5-man front, the C and play-side guard double-team the NG

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook  • • • • •

The off-side G pulls and hits the trap block on the play-side DT The play-side T and TE move to the second level and try to seal the LBs If facing a 6-man front, the C and play-side G block down on the NGs The off-side guard pulls and hits the trap block on the play-side DT The play-side T and TE move to the second level and try to seal the LBs

OL – Two Bags Down–block Double Team Drill  Pur Purpose pose:: Procedure:

To de develo velop p a goo good d dou doubl ble– e–tteam eam “do “dow wn blo block ck”” tec techn hniique que • • • • •

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You need six players, two cones and two bags or shields Line up the cones in a horizontal line about five yards apart Line up two defenders, each with a bag/shield directly outside the cones Line up the offensive players about one yard away from the defender  The “head–up” blocker is called the “seal man,” and his job is to seal the defender from getting to the LOS. The outside blocker is called the “post man,” and his job is to d rive the defender off the LOS and into the second level, putting an obstacle in front of the backside linebacker. On the snap, the seal man takes a drive step, keeping his head to the INSIDE (the side nearest the cone), otherwise he risks getting hit in the head by the post man. The post man takes an “open step” (a short side–step with toes p ointed at about 45 degrees) with the foot nearest the defender  The offensive player should drive the bag towards the coach and past the cones.

OL – Two Bags X–block Drill  Purpos pose: Procedure:

To dev develop a good “X” blocking techniq nique • • •

•

Page 59 of 84

You need four players, two cones and two bags or shields Line up the cones in a horizontal line about two yards apart Line up two defenders, each with a bag/shield bag/shield directly inside the cones. They can line up head–up or shaded to one side of the offensive players or the other. Line up the offensive players across from the defenders

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook  •

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•

Coach designates one of the offensive players as the “inside” blocker, and the other as the “outside” blocker  On the snap, the outside blocker down blocks the defender lined up on the inside blocker  by taking an “open step” (a short side–step with toes pointed at about 45 degrees) with the foot nearest the defender  At the same time, the inside blocker takes a “drop step” (a short, slightly backwards step, where your toes are pointed at a 45 degree angle), allowing the outside blocker to step in front of him, then he continues and carries out a down b lock on the defender who lined up across from the outside blocker.

OL – Whistle Drill  Pur Purpose pose::

To teac teach h pro prope perr fir first st step step,, and and to impr improv ove e tha thatt fir first st step step qui quick ckne ness ss..

Proced Procedure ure::

Line Line up up the the OL either either one–at one–at–a– –a–tim time e or as a grou group. p. Get in proper proper 3–poin 3–pointt stan stance. ce. On the snap, snap, each OL takes proper 6–inch step with right foot (drive block), bringing his hands up in the proper  position (thumbs up, ready to grab DL’s armpits), then freezes so coach can check for proper  position (firing OUT, OUT, not “up”, back straight, head up, feet shoulder–width shoulder–width apart, etc.). Next, get back into stance, and have OL fire out with left–foot. We can use this Drill to teach pass blocking, trap blocking, or pretty much any blocking technique.

OL & DL – Beat Your Man Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e:

Teac Teache hes s good good fun funda dame ment ntal als s of bloc blocki king, ng, holdi holding ng the the blo block ck,, and and figh fighti ting ng thr throu ough gh the the blo block ck..

Proced Procedure ure::

Set–up Set–up bags bags or or cones cones on on both both sides sides of the play players ers 5–6 5–6 feet feet apar apart. t. This This lim limits its the the later lateral al dista distance nce each player can move. The coach stands behind the defensive player and assigns the direction direction he wants the blocker to take the defender. The defender needs to read the block and fight through the pressure to the hole.

OL & DL – Finish Alive Drill  Purpose:

Teaches proper leverage, hand thrust, along with hip and foot movement to finish a block.

Procedure:

Place players into three lines. Have line one step out and face line two. Line one (defense) will face line two. The coach will stand behind line two and give line one a hand signal in the direction he wants them to move after the initial contact. On command, line two (offensive) will carry out the entire drive block from start to finish.

OL & DL – One on One Pass Protection Purp Purpos ose: e:

Page 60 of 84

To teac teach h the the OL to main mainta tain in his his blo block ck and and to to pro prote tect ct his his QB. QB. Also Also to teac teach h DL DL to to defe defeat at the the bloc block k and get to an area.

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

Proced Procedure ure::

Setup Setup boun boundar dary y 3 to 5 yard yards s wide wide.. DL must must stay stay withi within n this this bounda boundary ry and get to QB. QB. OL tries tries to drive DL outside the the boundary. Set up dummy as “QB dropping back to to pass”. On the snap, DL rushes the passer using bull rush, rip, and/or swim techniques, while OL tries to protect his QB.

Quarterback Drills QB – Check Off Pass Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e: Procedure:

To teac teach h the the QB to thro throw w to to his his “saf “safet ety y val valve ve”” when when down downfi fiel eld d rec recei eiver vers s are are cove covere red d • • •

•

•

Start with 1 WR, WR, 1 RB and 1 DB per QB. You can add more WR’s and DB’s later. later. Position the players where they would be during a game Before the snap, assign a route to run, and give the DB some signal whether or not he will let the receiver “get open,” but don’t tell the QB On the snap, the WR runs his route, and the DB either covers him tight, or lets him “get open.” The RB runs into into the flat to act as the “safety valve.” valve.” If the WR is is open, the QB should throw him the ball. If the WR is covered, the QB should look to dump the ball to the RB so he can cut up field. As the QB masters this, you can add as many WR’s and TE’s as you would user during a game.

QB – Exchange Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e: Procedure:

To impr improve ove the the foo footw twor ork k of of the the QB when when he has to make make a han hando doff ff or pitc pitch h to to a RB • • •

•

Line up a QB with a RB in his normal spot. On “the snap,” have the RB move towards the correct hole Ensure the QB is stepping with the correct foot in order to meet the RB (if it is a handoff), or getting his feet into the correct position to make the toss Ensure that the QB is getting the ball into the “bread basket” of the RB and that the RB is holding his arms correctly (inside arm is up)

QB – Hot Box Drill  Pur Purpose pose:: Procedure:

To impr improv ove e the the quic quick k rele releas ase, e, deci decisi sion on maki making ng and and timi timing ng • • •

•

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Page 61 of 84

Line up a single file line of 5 or 6 receivers spaced about 2 yards apart Line up 2 QBs facing the receivers and 10 yards away; each has a ball. The QBs randomly alternate who they throw to, never throwing to the same guy two times in a row. Once a receiver has caught a ball he must immediately deliver it right back to one of the QBs (it doesn’t have to be the QB who threw him the ball). Start slowly and then build up the pace

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

QB – Landmark Passing Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e:

To impr improve ove the the QB’ QB’s s accu accura racy cy when when thro throwi wing ng pass passes es whe where re he he mus mustt lead lead the the rec recei eive verr (co (corn rner er,, post, fade, deep out, fly, etc.)

Proced Procedure ure::

As the the rece receive iverr runs runs his his route route,, the the QB throws throws the ball ball to a spot spot ahea ahead d of, of, and to the the insi inside de or  outside (depending on the route) and lets the receiver run under it.

QB – Landmark Passing Drill #2  Pur Purpose pose::

To impr improv ove e the the QB’s QB’s accu accura racy cy and and con consi sist sten ency cy with with ball ball plac placem emen entt

Proc Proced edur ure: e:

Have Have you yourr QB stan stand d 5 yard yards s behi behind nd an an ima imagi gina nary ry LOS LOS.. Tell him to throw the ball as far as he can from there at a 45˚ angle. Mark the spot where the ball first lands. Repeat this with a throw straight straight up field. These are his “maximum” “maximum” distances. Now move those markers 15 yards closer and have him throw until he can land several consecutive balls (you pick the #) within a 1 yard radius of the markers. Then move it 5 yards back and repeat the exercise. Repeat until you have reached a distance that is 5 yards less than his original max throw

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2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

QB – Pass Reaction Drill  Pur Purpose pose::

Impr Improv ove e the the quar quarte terb rbac ack’ k’s s pas passi sing ng game game and and to to mak make e a qui quick ck deci decisi sion on..

Proced Procedure ure::

A QB QB and and 2 rece receive ivers rs ali align gn on on the the LOS. LOS. Receiv Receivers ers are number numbered ed 1 and 2 and and given given routes routes to run. run. The QB is assigned a play action (3 or 5 –step drop, semi or full roll out). Coach kneels opposite the the QB to deliver a ‘snap.’ On cadence, all three three execute the play. Just prior to the QB completing his play action (1 or 2 steps remaining), the coach calls out the receiver  he wants the ball thrown to. The QB should plant, set and deliver the the ball to the designated receiver.

QB – Passing Lines Drill  Purpos pose:

Impro prove th the qua quarterb erback ack’s passing ga game.

Proced Procedure ure::

Line Line up a singl single–f e–file ile line line of of WR WR to one side side of the QB. QB. A coac coach h in front front of the the QB QB deli deliver vers s the the ‘snap’ and gives the WR the route to run. On the snap, the WR runs the route, and the QB throws him the ball

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2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

s

QB – Passing Lines Drill  Purpos pose:

Impro prove th the qua quarterb erback ack’s passing ga game.

Proced Procedure ure::

Line Line up a singl single–f e–file ile line line of of WR WR to one side side of the QB. QB. A coac coach h in front front of the the QB QB deli deliver vers s the the ‘snap’ and gives the WR the route to run. On the snap, the WR runs the route, and the QB throws him the ball

s

QB – Progression Drill  Pur Purpose pose:: Procedure:

To teac teach h the the QB to make make the the bes bestt pas passi sing ng deci decisi sion on on the the fie field ld •

• • •

•

•

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Start with 2 receivers (1 WR and 1 RB, 2 WR, 1 WR and 1 TE, etc), but then you can work up to 3 or 4 (or even 5, if you play that type of offense) The QB will have a 1st, 2nd, 3rd choice, etc. On the snap the receivers will run their routes at ½ to ¾ sp eed The QB will take his 3, 5 or 7–step drop, looking at each receiver in turn, releasing the ball no more than 3 seconds after setting at the end of his drop back. You can add some “difficulty” to this drill by waiting until the QB gets set, and then telling him which receiver to throw to OR You can also line up one fewer defender than you have receivers. Have your receiver(s) run similar routes, and then have the DB step–up step–up to defend one of the receivers. The QB

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

must see the open receiver and throw him the ball.

QB – Read and Recognize vs. Skeleton Defense Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e: Procedure:

To teac teach h the the QB to make make quic quick k and and corr correc ectt dec decis isio ions ns abou aboutt who whom m to to pas pass s the the ball ball to • •

•

Line up both the offense and defense without any linemen. On the “snap,” have the defenders each execute their duties (if blitzing, have him come towards LOS, but do not hit the QB) and have the backs and receivers run their routes. This works very well with the older kids who might face a defense that plays man-to-man and zone coverage

QB – Recognition Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e: Procedure:

To teac teach h the the QB to make make quic quick k and and corr correc ectt dec decis isio ions ns abou aboutt who whom m to to pas pass s the the ball ball to • •

• •

• •

•

Line up one QB at the LOS (the red square) Line up three or more receivers at various places on the field, between 5 and 20 yards from the QB (the white squares). Assign each receiver a number between 1 and 3 (or 1 and 4) A coach will stand behind the QB and hold up fingers to indicate which receiver is to catch the ball but will not tell the QB The coach tells the QB whether to take a 3, 5 or 7–step drop On the snap, the receiver who is to catch the ball holds holds up his hand. The QB must locate him and deliver the ball You can make this drill more difficult by having ALL receivers hold up one hand, but the intended receiver holds up both

QB – Roll–Out Passing Drill  Purpose: Procedure:

To te teach yo your QB QB ho how to th throw on on th the ru run • •

•

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Have one or two QB’s, each with one or more receivers about ten yards away On the snap, have the QB sprint out to his right or left as though he is rolling out, always staying 6 – 8 yards behind the LOS As he rolls, the receiver will break for the sideline, and the QB must square his shoulders, hips and head and make a pass to the receiver 

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

QB – Set, Find and Fire Drill  Pur Purpose pose::

Impr Improv ove e the quar quartterb erback ack’s react eactiion upo upon setup etup..

Proced Procedure ure::

The quar quarter terbac back k takes takes a quick quick drop drop and sets sets up to delive deliverr the the footba footballll.. Stati Station on three three or or four four player players s downfield, facing him in a horizontal line spread evenly across the field. Each player has an assigned number. The coach calls out a number, the quarterback must quickly set his feet in the direction of the designated player and throw the football.

Running Back Drills RB – Bag Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e:

Teac Teach h pla playe yers rs how to rece receiv ive e a pro proper per hand handof offf and and keep keep the the head head up up to to mak make e the the prop proper er read read and and cut.

Proced Procedure ure::

This This Dril Drilll invol involves ves the center center,, quar quarter terbac back k and runnin running g backs backs.. The The quart quarterb erback ack takes takes the the snap snap from the center and hands the football to the running back. The running back has his eyes up field running towards a dummy, (the defender), held three yards away by a coach. As the player  approaches the dummy, the coach will move it to the right or the left, indicating that the back should cut in the opposite direction. Players should be running at full speed.

RB – Barrel Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e:

Teac Teache hes s the the RB RB to to keep keep his his head head up, up, eyes eyes ope open, n, prot protec ectt the the ball ball,, and and to fight fight for for tha thatt “ex “extr tra a yard yard””

Proced Procedure ure::

You will will need need 4 barr barrels els,, cones cones or stan standin ding g dummi dummies. es. In a square square 5 yards yards by 3 yards yards posi positio tion n the the barrels in a 5 of diamonds formation. The barrels should be about 2 yards wide in the front and 3 yards deep. A coach stands in the middle of the barrels and will step out in front of the runner  forcing him to pick a side to run. As the runner exits the last two barrels barrels the first two players try to strip the ball. As the runner passes the two players stripping the ball he must high knee to keep from tripping over the hand shields being thrown at his feet by two more players. Finally he must go through a gauntlet of two to four hand shields and dive, claw, stumble or  whatever it takes to get into the end zone.

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2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

RB – Counter Drill  Pur Purpose pose::

To de develo velop p goo good d tec techn hniiques ques and and titiming ming in th the cou count nter er play play

Proc Procedu edure re::

Equi Equipm pment ent:: 7 cone cones, s, 1 to to 2 ball balls, s, 4 shi shiel elds ds with with play player ers. s. Four players with (or without) shields are used to simulate contact with the backs. On “GO” the QB makes a counter handoff to the right–side slot–back. He breaks past the LOS at the outside of the LTE cone. As he does, the defensive player in the the LB position will attack his inside inside shoulder. The SB must stiff arm the shield. The defensive player in the S position will attempt to knock him off his feet he must deliver a drive by dropping his shoulder and driving the defender back 4 to 5 yards. The FB executes a kick–out block on the backside DE. The HB executes a fake power right and drives the first defender that comes to to him. Work for reps to each side.

RB – Cutback Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e: Procedure:

Teac Teache hes s the the RB to find find the the cut cutba back ck lane lane if his his run run to the the out outsi side de is well well cove covere red d •

•

• • • •

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Setup cones to act as the OL (in the graphic below, I am using four cones to represent the right-side of the offensive line) Line up a number of defenders one less than the number of cones (in my graphic, I am using three defenders) Lineup your RB and QB or coach. On the snap, have the RB take the hand off to the outside At the same time, the defenders will step into one of the gaps, blocking that hole. The RB must quickly recognize the one open hole, and either cut back or continue to the outside

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

RB – Cut and Switch Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e: Procedure:

Teac Teache hes s the the RB to carry carry the the bal balll in in the the corr correc ectt arm arm,, and and to chan change ge arms arms as nece necess ssar ary y •

•

•

•

Setup 5 or more cones in a zigzag course along 10 yards of field. Leave about 5 yards between each cone At “the snap” the RB will carry the ball in his OUTSIDE arm, and will run OUTSIDE of the first cone, zig–zagging towards the next cone As he approaches the next cone, he will switch the ball to his other arm (the outside arm) and again run outside of the cone. This continues through every cone

RB – Gauntlet Drill  Pur Purpose pose:: Procedure:

Teac Teache hes s RB RB to to sec secur ure e the the ball ball and and pro prote tect ct it as they they make make cont contac act. t. •

•

•

•

One player with a ball starts 1 yard back from the tunnel. The tunnel is formed by 6 to 12 players split and facing inward with one player at the end of the tunnel with a shield. On “GO” the ball carrier runs through the tunnel dropping his shoulders and covering the ball with an arm over arm under carry. As he enters the tunnel each player swipes at the ba ll from the bottom, top, and front. They all can swipe at the ball or arms to pull the ball out. Once ball carrier reaches the end of the tunnel he must drive his shoulder into the shield and keep his legs pumping until the coach blows his whistle or stops it. Let him drive the shield for 4 to 5 yards. The shield man should provide moderate resistance. This simulates attacking the LOS and then driving a defender backwards as he gains more yardage. Each back should get two to three tries at this.

RB – Goal Line Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e:

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Teac Teache hes s the the RB RB to to navi navigat gate e his his way way thr throug ough h traf traffi fic c on shor shortt yard yardag age e or goal goal line line sit situa uati tion ons s

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

Procedure:

•

• •

•

•

•

• •

As shown below, setup four bags or cones in a square. Have a coach or player hold a heavy bag in the center of the square. Line up five players and/or coaches at the end of  the line. On the snap, the RB will run through the first two cones/bags. As he gets there, the coach will lean his bag to the left or right, and the RB must quickly cut the opposite way The RB must then run between the other two cones/bags to where the five players are waiting. The first two players will try to strip the ball with their arms (they should not grab hold of  the RB After getting past the first two, the next two players have shields which they will throw at the RB’s feet, trying trying to trip him. The RB should high step over them The final player will also have a shield and will try to bump the RB to the ground. The RB must bull his way past him to get to the goal line

RB – High Knee Drill  Pur Purpose pose::

Devel evelop ops s high high knee knee runni unnin ng and and body body awar awaren enes ess s.

Proced Procedure ure::

Setup Setup fiv five e bags bags in in a row, row, five five feet feet apar apart. t. Have Have a back back run at full full speed speed over over each each bag bag in succession. Make sure runners keep their eyes downfield and knees high. Check for p roper ball carrying throughout the entire Drill. Variation Variation – at the end of the last bag place a coach or player  with a shield hit the runner coming over the last bag.

RB – Inside Outside Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e:

To teac teach h the the runn runnin ing g back back the the diff differ eren ence ce bet betwe ween en run runni ning ng ins insid ide e (pow (power er)) and and outs outsid ide e (swe (sweep ep))

Proc Procedu edure re::

Equi Equipm pment ent:: 7 con cones es,, 1 or or 2 foo footb tbal alls ls,, two two shie shield lds s wit with h play player ers. s. The three “inside” cones are the center and tight ends spaced out to match the length of the line. The two additional cones on each side are 2 yards behind the line and 5 yards and 10 yards away from the TE spot. The inside cone marks the boundary of the inside play and the outside cone marks the boundary of the outside play. Tell the RB whether he is to run inside or outside. If inside the play is executed as if it is a toss and the QB turns and tosses the ball. The RB must stay square until he hits the hole. He aims for the outside edge of the TE cone and stays inside o f the first cone. He must use one of the three escape techniques when he reaches the defender (Stiff arm, Spin, Drive). If outside he takes the ball on a Sweep handoff from the QB. He sprints and gains little depth after  taking the handoff until he reaches the playside TE and then sprints and attacks the outside cone staying inside of it (marks the out of bounds). As he meets the defender he must execute a good

Page 69 of 84

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

escape move. On the inside move we want the back to run with force and not speed so he should be trying to overpower and stiff arm the defender. When going outside we want the back to run with speed and not power. In either case he should not try to get deeper then he already is to start. Work for 4 reps to each side and mix up the inside or outside calls.

RB – Juke, Spin then Stiff Arm Drill  Purpose: Procedure:

To teach the RB a few good moves •

• • •

•

Line up three defensive players in a single file vertical line, each holding a bag or shield. Allow about 5 yards between each bag Line up a RB, and on the snap, give him a handoff  The RB is to sprint to the first bag where he makes a juke move and goes around the bag He continues to the second bag, where he lowers his level, then d rives his opposite shoulder into the midsection of the bag, then spins off and keeps going For example, if the RB decides to “go to the right” of the bag, he will drive his o LEFT shoulder into the bag, at the the same time planting on his RIGHT foot. As soon as his shoulder makes contact, he will pivot around on that right foot, spinning to his right, the run past the bag As he approaches the final bag, the RB will will decide which side of the bag to run to. If  necessary, he will change the ball to the opposite hand, then use the near arm to deliver a stiff arm to the bag

RB – Kick Out Block Drill  Purpos pose:

To de develop go good ki kick ou out bl block ocking te techniq nique. ue.

Proced Procedure ure::

Two Two backs backs each each line line up on an insid inside e cone cone the the back back to to the the left left wil willl kick kick out out to to the the left left and and the the back back to the right will kick out to the right. They will then go to the end of the other line. The two defensive ends will be 1 foot deep and 1 yard away from the cone. The back will be in a three–point stance. On “GO” the DE will charge across the line with the shield on the inside arm facing the back. The back will take a open step and a direct path to the inside shoulder of the DE and “wishbone” block the DE. By attacking the inside shoulder and blocking him to the outside you create a kick out block that seals him to the outside or “Kicks him out of the hole”. Make sure the back attacks the inside shoulder the center of the wishbone should be on the arm. Try for 3 reps to each side. You can also have the DE crash to the inside or spy if that particular defense has their ends do one of  these techniques.

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2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook  •

•

•

Kick out block – an inside–out block on the first defender past the point of attack. Aimed at his inside shoulder so that he his sealed from the inside. Log block – an inside–out block on the first defender past the point of attack. Aimed at the outside shoulder so that he his sealed to the inside and away from the outside. Drop Step – a short slightly backward step with toes at about 45 degrees.

RB – Off Tackle Reaction Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e:

To deve develo lop p a good good foot footwo work rk,, and and to ensur ensure e that that the the RB RB is is run runni ning ng with with his his hea head d up up

Proc Proced edur ure: e:

Equi Equipm pmen ent: t: 1 con cones es,, 4 shie shield lds s or dumm dummie ies s Line up the cone and 3 bags as shown. At the end of the drill, about two two yards away from the third bag, a coach or player holds the fourth bag. To start, the RB takes the handoff and runs runs “off  tackle” around the cone. cone. He then high steps steps over three of the bags/shields. bags/shields. As he steps over the the last bag, the coach/player leans his bag either left or right to simulate a tackler, and the RB must plant and cut AWAY from the bag.

RB – One Cut Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e:

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Too Too many many RB’ RB’s s wil willl try try to juke juke and and jiv jive e in the the back backfi fiel eld d to avoi avoid d bein being g hit. hit. This This dri drill ll teac teaches hes them them to get to the hole then accelerate through it.

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

Procedure:

• • • •

Line up cones to indicate the holes the RB can run through Line up on RB and one “shadow” LB in their correct spots One the snap, the LB will “shadow” the RB along the LOS The RB gets only ONE up field cut, then they have to accelerate through their hole

RB – Power Toss Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e:

To deve develo lop p a goo good d toss toss tec techn hniq ique ue in in the the pow power er pla play y by the the quar quarte terb rbac ack k and and wing wingba back ck at at the the same same time developing good blocking techniques in all the backs involved.

Proc Procedu edure re::

Equi Equipm pment ent:: 7 cone cones, s, 1 to to 2 ball balls, s, 4 shi shiel elds ds with with play player ers. s. Using a proper Power Right “TOSS” technique, seal block technique, kick–out technique we practice the Rip power right play with defenders. There is a kick–out defender for the B–back, a inside seal defender for the wingback, a outside seal defender for the quarterback and a defender  for the running back to Stiff arm, Spin, or Drive. Work for 4 reps to each side.

RB – Seal Block Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e:

To teac teach h the the wing wing bac back k how how to exec execut ute e a pro prope perr seal seal block block and and to to dev devel elop op good good tec techn hniq ique ue and and confidence in the block.

Proc Proced edur ure: e:

Equi quipmen pmentt: 2 shiel hields ds,, 4 cones ones.. Two players holding shields and facing the back on their side; they are three steps of the LOS and two steps to the inside of the cone. The back is in a two–point stance one yard outside and one yard deep to the cone. On “GO” the back takes a release step outside clears clears the defensive line and turns inside squaring his shoulders perpendicular to the LOS; he then “wishbone blocks” the first linebacker (Shield) that he comes to generally the LB will be square to the LOS and reading/reacting to the backfield backfield or he will be in pursuit mode. The LB moves to the outside by shuffling and then turning and attacking the the edge. Once the backs finish they go to the end of the opposite line. Seal block – an outside–in block by the wingback. Takes an outside release step and does not attempt to touch the defensive lineman lineman inside him. He turns inside perpendicular to the LOS and and attacks the first linebacker’s outside shoulder inside of the point–of–attack.

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2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

RB – Stiff Arm Drill w/ heavy bag  Purpos pose:

To dev develop good stiff arm techniques.

Proc Proced edur ure: e:

Equi Equipm pmen ent: t: Two Two cone cones, s, one one foot footba ball ll,, one one heav heavy y bag bag 2 cones are set 10 yards apart from each other on any yard line. The coach puts himself over the inside cone and is holding a “Heavy Bag” style tackling dummy (if a Heavy Bag is not available, a regular tackling dummy will do). An RB places himself 5 yards away from the inside cone, holding a ball in his outside arm. On the coaches signal he takes off heading straight for the outside cone. The coach will heave the bag at the RB, alternating between knee high and shoulder high throws. He should vary the angle at which he throws the Bag as well. The RB should attempt to use his inside hand (thumb down) as the “lever” with which to use the bag’s own momentum to deflect it away from his body. If any part of the bag touches any part of  the runner, he is “tackled”.

RB – Stiff Arm Drill w/ live tackler  Purpos pose:

To dev develop good stiff arm techniques.

Proc Proced edur ure: e:

Equi Equipm pmen ent: t: Two Two cone cones, s, one one foot footba ball ll,, one one tac tackl kler  er  Once the players have mastered this using the heavy bag, we’ll do the same drill, but replacing the bag with a live tackler. An RB places himself 5 yards away from the the inside cone, holding a ball in his outside arm. On the coaches signal he takes off heading straight for the outside cone with the tackler giving chase. Depending on what part of the body the tackler has exposed to the RB, the ideal aiming points for  a Stiff Arm are: Top of the helmet (not the facemask) •

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2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook  • •

Top of the shoulder plate Chest plate

RB – Stiff Arm, Spin and Drive Drill  Pur Purpose pose::

To de develo velop p goo good d sti stiff ff arm arm, spi spin, n, and and dri driv ve tec techn hniiques ques..

Proc Procedu edure re::

Equi Equipm pment ent:: Six Six cone cones, s, one one to to two two foot footbal balls ls,, thre three e shie shield ld w/ w/ play player ers s Three players with shields are five yards apart from each other and five yards from the b all carrier. The first two shields are staggered to right and left and the third is straight on line with the runner. On “GO” the runner takes off straight up field the first shield moves to attack the runners shoulder  the runner must stiff arm the shield at the face mask level and keep his arm lock as he drives the shield away from and behind him as he goes by. As the runner approaches the second shield the shield attack the runners shoulder and the runner  drives into the shield with his near side shoulder and then spins u sing his near side foot and spinning in the opposite direction of the shield. He must stay low as he does this to maintain his balance and speed. As he goes by he the second shield he gets low and attacks the last shield by driving his shoulder  into the shield and driving him back for 4 to 5 yards. Each player holding a shield must keep it just above their face mask. The runner must keep a wide base with his feet and keep low at the hips and knees when making contact.

RB – Trap Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e: Procedure:

To deve develo lop p a goo good d runni running, ng, faki faking ng,, and and bloc blocki king ng tec techn hniq ique ue in in the the trap trap pla play y by the the back backs s invo involv lved ed.. •

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Page 74 of 84

Equipment: 7 cones, 1 to 2 balls, 4 players with shields. You can use the I formation, a pro set, or, as shown shown below, a double–wing. In the picture below, hand the ball to your fullback. He will run through the 2 hole (or 1 ho le if you are running this to your left) and either stiff  arm or spin off the safety.

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook  • •

The play–side wing back runs downfield and performs a seal block on the other safety. The away–side wing back (or halfback) performs a kick–out block against the play–side OLB, and the QB also performs a seal block against the play–side CB.

RB – Triangle Drill  Pur Purpose pose:: Procedure:

To tea teach ch RB to to qui quic ckly kly cut cut away away from from woul ould–be d–be tack tackllers ers •

•

•

•

Equipment: Five cones, one coach or player holding a shield Arrange three of the cones in a 3 yd x 5 yd triangle, and the other two cones 8 to 10 yards outside the “top” of the triangle. The coach/player stands in front of the the top cone holding a blocking shield. The RB starts from 5 yards in front of the triangle. As he approaches the first two cones the coach should quickly step into one or the other “gap”. The RB should cut AWAY from the coach and through the opposite ‘side’ of the triangle. We want him to bend his path back up field and around the traffic cone once he’s completed his cutback.

Receiver Drills Receivers – Blocking Drill  Pur Purpose pose:: Procedure:

To teac teach h you yourr WR’ WR’s s to to blo block ck duri during ng an an outs outsid ide e run run to to the their ir side side of of the the fie field ld • •

•

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Line up your WR’s with a coach or another player holding a bag which represents the CB On the snap, and depending on the play, the WR needs to release to the inside of the CB, putting his body between the RB and the CB, CB, and drive the CB towards the sideline. sideline. OR, the WR needs to release to the outside of the CB and drive him inside, towards the LB’s. Cover all the “regular” blocking points: o Head up

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook  o o o

Back flat Feet should width apart Short, choppy steps, etc

Receivers – Catch Pyramid Drill  Pur Purpose pose:: Procedure:

To teac teach h you yourr WR’ WR’s s and and RBs RBs’’ han hand– d–ey eye e coo coord rdin inat atio ion, n, and and “qu “quic ick k han hands ds”” •

•

•

•

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Line up five WR’s and/or RB’s RB’s as shown in the graphic below. Give at least 5 yards between each player. You will also need three footballs. footballs. The players at the red, green and white squares will will each start with one football At the start, red passes to orange and looks to receive receive from white. At the same time, orange passes to green (orange had better be quick because he’s throwing a pass at the same time as the ball from red is on its way to him!) As soon as green catches the pass from orange, he decides to pass to either blue or  white. The sequence begins again: red to orange, orange to g reen; either blue or white (whomever caught the last pass from green) throws back to red

Receivers – Catching Triangle Drill  Pur Purpose pose:: Procedure:

To teac teach h your your WR and and RB RB how how to pr proper operlly cat catc ch a pass ass • •

•

Line up two or three receivers who will throw the ball back and forth to each other  Passes should be caught with fingers outstretched, palms out, and index fingers and thumbs creating a “triangle” Once caught, the ball should be secured and brought to the body

Receivers – Crack Back Block Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e: Procedure:

Teac Teach h you yourr WR WR to LEGA LEGALLY LLY bloc block k a LB duri during ng a swe sweep ep,, pit pitch ch or opti option on to his his sid side. e. • •

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Line up a player with a shield in the OLB spot, and a WR in his normal spot. On the snap of the ball will execute a LEGAL seal block on the LB o The block is ALWAYS above the waist. NEVER attempt attempt to hit a man man in the knees, especially on this block because the LB may not see you coming. o The block is NEVER from behind. If the LB, for whatever reason, has his back turned to you, you become an impediment to his progress. DO NOT hit him in the back! o The block ALWAYS requires the WR to keep his head up, driving his shoulder  into the midsection of the LB

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

Receivers – Concentration Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e:

Procedure:

Work Works s on gett gettin ing g the the rec recei eive verr to to focu focus s on the the ball ball and and watc watch h it all all the the way way into into the the han hands ds,, even even though they know they are going to get hit. •

• •

•

Have three players holding hand shields lineup 10 yards deep and 3 yards apart from each other in an equal triangle. Have a receiver run a pattern into the middle of the triangle. As the receiver enters the triangle the coach or quarterback should throw the receiver a high pass. The receiver must jump up to catch the pass, when his hands touch the ball, the three defenders should jam the receiver with their shields.

Receivers – Cones and Cut Drill  Pur Purpose pose:: Procedure:

To teac teach h rec recei eive vers rs to make make thei theirr cut cuts s at at exa exact ctly ly the the rig right ht spot spot • • • •

•

Can be run with or without a QB You will need one or more cones depending on what routes your receivers will be running. Line up the cone(s) exactly where the receiver is supposed to make his cut On the snap, the receiver runs his route, sprinting to the cone, making his fake, and then the proper cut. Watch for “lazy” receivers who who cut their routes off. If you are running this drill with a QB, have him make the pass

Receivers – Cross Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e: Procedure:

To teac teach h rec recei eive vers rs to to conc concen entr trat ate e on the the foot footba ball ll whi while le havin having g thei theirr visi vision on obs obstr truc ucte ted. d. • •

•

•

Divide the receivers into two groups facing each other on a selected line of scrimmage. One receiver will run across the field behind the defensive man crossing from the opposite direction. The quarterback or coach will throw the ball to a point where the two players are a bout to cross. Instruct the defender to wave his arms and try to distract the receiver. . The defender IS NOT supposed to intercept or knock down the pass, he is only trying to distract the receiver.

Receivers – Full Gauntlet Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e:

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To teac teach h rec recei eive vers rs the the fun funda dame ment ntal als s of catc catchi hing ng the the bal balll and and tuck tuckin ing g it in bef befor ore e cont contac act. t.

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

Procedure:

• • •

•

Position players in two parallel lines facing each other approximately two yards apart. The first receiver stands at one end approximately five yards away. On cadence, the receiver runs towards the gauntlet, receives the pass, tucks the in and runs through the gauntlet. Instruct players on both sides to try and rip the ball loose.

Receivers – Hook and Turn Drill  Pur Purpose pose:: Procedure:

To tea teach ch your your rec receive eiverrs how how to gai gain n yar yards ds afte afterr th the cat catch ch • •

•

•

Line up one or two QB’s (or the coaches can throw), each with his own line of receivers On the snap, have the receivers run a 5 or 10–yard button hook pattern (you can have the receivers run almost any route, but this works well to start because the receiver is facing the QB when making the catch) The QB makes the throw; the receiver makes the catch, then “fakes” by turning a quarter– turn one way, then fully turning the other. For example, the receiver makes the catch, then turns a quarter turn to his left, causing the DB to bit on that fake. Then the receiver turns to his right, and picks up extra yardage

Receivers – Lightning Catch Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e: Procedure:

To teac teach h recei receive vers rs to conc concen entr trat ate e on on the the foo footb tbal alll and and to deve develo lop p qui quick ck hand hands s • • • • •

•

You will need 3, 6 or 9 footballs Line up 3 QB in a straight line, with about 1 to 5 yards between each Line up a receiver about 3 to 5 yards away from, but directly in line with, the middle QB On the whistle, the QB to the receiver’s right will throw the ball to the receiver. As soon as the receiver secures the ball, the middle middle QB throws a pass. The receiver must drop the ball he is holding and catch the one being thrown. As soon as that is secured, the QB to the left of the receiver will throw his his pass. Repeat, picking up the tempo as the receivers get better 

Receivers – Over the Shoulder Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e: Procedure:

Work Works s on pro prope perr tech techni niqu ques es and and fun funda dame ment ntal als s invo involv lved ed in in catc catchi hing ng the the foo footb tbal alll over over the the sho shoul ulde der. r. • • •

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Divide receivers into two groups. Align the first group on the right hash mark, the other on the left hash mark You can use one or two QB’s. If you use two, have one throw to the WR’s WR’s on the right, the other throws to the WR’s on the left. On the quarterback's cadence, the receiver executes a go or fade route. The quarterback takes a short drop and throws the ball over the outside shoulder of the receiver. The quarterback alternates throwing to each line and the receiver should switch lines every time You can start by having the QB make the throw after only 5 yards, that way the receivers

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

get used to catching over their shoulders

Receivers – Pass Reaction Drill  Purpose: Procedure:

To teach decisive reactions and quick delivery •

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Line up one QB and two receivers (numbered 1 and 2, X and Y, or whatever you would use) QB is assigned a play action (3, 5 or 7–step drop, semi or full roll out). Each receiver is given a different route to run. Another player or coach kneels opposite the QB to deliver a ‘snap’ On cadence, all three execute their assignment. Just prior to the QB completing his play action (1 or 2 steps remaining) the coach calls out the route he wants the ball thrown to. The QB should plant, set and deliver the ball to the designated receiver.

Receivers – Pass Reaction Drill #2  Purpose: Procedure:

To teach decisive reactions and quick delivery • •

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Same as above, except you add a DB. Tell the DB the routes being run, and either quietly assign him a WR to cover, or let h im choose The QB goes through his assignment and then has to react quickly, throwing the ball to the uncovered WR.

Receivers – Primary Routes Drill (Arrow) Purpose:

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To teach the WR the proper way to run a route

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

Procedure:

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The WR will take his first step with his outside foot on a 45 degree angle to the outside. Then, he will crossover with his inside foot, gaining about 2 – 3 yards of depth. WR should be looking for the ball as soon as he makes his crossover step. QB should throw towards your outside shoulder 

Receivers – Primary Routes Drill (Comeback) Purpose: Procedure:

To teach the WR the proper way to run a route •

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The WR will will sprint off the LOS as though he is running a Fly or Go route. route. At the point designated (5 yards, 10 yards, whatever), the WR will plant his inside foot, turn to the outside, and work his way on a diagonal towards the sideline and back to the QB. WR should be looking for the ball as soon soon as he makes his break QB should throw towards your outside shoulder 

Receivers – Primary Routes Drill (Corner) Purpose: Procedure:

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To teach the WR the proper way to run a route •

The WR will take seven steps up field, plant HARD on the outside foot then take a hard step to the inside as though running a post pattern. Then, plant HARD on the inside inside foot and sprint to the corner pylon at a 45 degree angle. QB should aim for the outside shoulder 

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

Receivers – Primary Routes Drill (Fade) Purpose: Procedure:

To teach the WR the proper way to run a route •

WR releases to the outside outside and then “fade” slowly towards the sideline. sideline. QB should throw to your outside shoulder.

Receivers – Primary Routes Drill (Go) Purpose: Procedure:

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To teach the WR the proper way to run a route •

WR sprints up field, trying to get past the defender. If DB is playing you with an outside shade, QB should throw the ball to to your inside shoulder. If DB is playing with with an inside shade, QB should aim for your outside shoulder.

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

Receivers – Primary Routes Drill (Post) Purpose: Procedure:

To teach the WR the proper way to run a route •

WR takes an inside release step step beginning with his outside foot. On the 7th step, plant that outside foot HARD and cut towards the center of the field at a 45 degree angle.

Receivers – Sideline Catch Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e:

Procedure:

To teac teach h your your WR WR and and RB RB how how to to prop proper erly ly cat catch ch a pass pass agai agains nstt the the sid sidel elin ine e whil while e keep keepin ing g his his feet feet in–bounds •

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Line up two QB’s, one on the right hash, the other on the left, each with his own line of  receivers Line up the receivers facing the QB, 5 to 20 yards off the LOS On the snap, the receiver runs straight for the sideline, and the QB must make the throw as close to the sideline as he can, while allowing the receiver to catch the ball with his feet in The receiver must concentrate on getting one or both of his feet down while maintaining focus on the ball, making and completing the catch You can add some variations to this by having the QB execute a roll–out towards the sideline, then making the throw

Receivers – Stop Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e:

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To deve develo lop p timi timing ng and and goo good d pass passin ing g and and rece receiv ivin ing g tech techni niqu que e in the the pass passer er and and the the rec recei eive verr usi using ng a direct pass.

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook 

Proced Procedure ure::

Equip Equipmen ment: t: 2 balls balls and and 3 cones cones (the (the cones cones are are 5x5x 5x5x5 5 for for a thro throwi wing ng dista distance nce of 7 yards, yards, but feel feel free to adjust this) The receiver is in a two–point receiver stance and the passer is in a ready to throw stance. On “GO” the receiver sprints 5 yards to the next cone and stops, pivots towards the passer and looks for the ball. The passer throws the ball to the outside of the cone as soon as the receiver stops. Get 5 reps. Keys to Receiving: Get in your eyes on the ball and get your body in front of the ball. Spread your fingers and get your thumbs together to form a triangle if the ball is above your waist. Watch the ball in to the triangle and as the ball comes in wrap your hands around it. If the ball is below your waist get your pinkies together and form a shovel and get them under the ball. Secure the ball to your side. Keys to Passing: The ball is by the ear and the throwing arm is cocked and ready to throw. The non–throwing foot is pointed at the receiver and your hips are square to the receiver  as well. As you throw it starts from the twisting of your hips, upper body, and into your arms. The hand as you release the ball should point in the direction of the receiver. This forces the hand to come down on the ball creating spin. If the ball is thrown directly at the receiver the hand should be pointed at the chest of the receiver. (bullet pass) If the ball is lofted at the receiver the hand should be point above the receiver and the throwing shoulder should drop slightly. (bomb/pooch pass) A receiver moving must be lead. The distance you have to throw the receiver determines the lead. The longer the throw the more lead. A short throw should lead a receiver at least 1 yard, a long throw should lead a receiver 5 yards • •

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Receivers – Stop & Indirect Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e:

Procedure:

To deve develo lop p timi timing ng and and goo good d pass passin ing g and and rece receiv ivin ing g tech techni niqu que e in the the pass passer er and and the the rec recei eive verr usi using ng a direct pass. •

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Equipment: 2 balls and 3 cones (the cones are 5 x 5 x 5 for a throwing distance of 7 yards, but feel free to adjust this) The receiver is in a two–point receiver stance and the passer is in a ready to throw stance. On “GO” the receiver sprints 5 yards to the next cone and stops, pivots towards the passer and looks for the ball. The passer throws the ball to the outside of the cone as soon as the receiver stops. Get 5 reps.

2011 Blue Mountain Midget Football Drills Handbook  •

This drill is run the same as the Stop Drill, but this time, the QB throws “indirectly” to the WR so that he has to adjust his route and get the ball. ball. The QB can thrown a bit behind, ahead of, or a bit to the right o r left of the WR.

Receivers – Turn Drill  Purp Purpos ose: e:

To forc force e the the rec recei eive verr to to get get into into a posi positi tion on to to see see the the bal balll and and conc concen entr trat ate e on catc catchi hing ng it. it.

Proced Procedure ure::

Form Form two two lines lines of of recei receiver vers s on each each side side of the the field field,, with with a quart quarterb erback ack thro throwi wing ng to each each line line.. The The first receiver in each line has his back to the quarterback. The quarterback yells "go" as he passes the ball to the receiver. On the "go" command the receiver must snap his head around quickly, locate and catch the ball, tuck it in, and turn up field. Receivers should change lines after each throw

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