Some of the best football drills are the most basic. It's important to practice the skills that you will be using the most in football. Basic running, hand-off and blocking drills can often mean the difference in a player knowing what he is supposed to do and just thinking he understands what is expected.
Hand-off Drill
Learning how to hand off the ball is especially critical with young players, but it's also critical to hone the skills of veterans. In this drill, a row of cones are set up on the line of scrimmage. On the coach's whistle, the quarterback drops back to the point where he will prepare to hand the ball to the running back. The running back takes off to a spot 4 yards behind the last cone on the right. At that point, the quarterback hands the ball by sticking it in the opponent's midsection. The running back secures the ball and accelerates to top speed. Do this drill three times to the right and three times to the left.
Elusive Running Drill
This drill is done to encourage high knee action and elusive running skills. Place six equipment bags, which are about 18 inches high, on the ground about 3 yards apart. In this drill, the runner will sprint on the coach's whistle and bound over the equipment bags at top speed. The key is for the runner to get his knees high because that will make him more difficult to tackle. Do this drill five times.
Counter Drill
This drill is for linebackers and can also be run by other defensive players who find themselves in one-on-one tackling conditions. Set up three cones along the line of scrimmage. The first two cones are 2 yards apart and the third cone is 4 yards from the center cone. The linebacker stands behind the middle cone. On the coach's whistle, he takes two steps toward the closest cone. Then he recognizes the counter play and goes as quickly as he can in the opposite direction so that he is behind the third cone. The linebacker will do this while using shuffle steps so he does not lose his balance and is in a position to make a tackle. Do this five times without a ball carrier and then use a ball carrier and have the linebacker make a tackle.
