Arizona Pop Warner North Association: Coach Illustrated
Special thanks to Penn State Assistant Head Coach and Running Back Coach Fran Ganter for his contributions to this article.
The running back has always been a featured player in the Penn State Offense. The 2002 season was no different. Senior Running Back Larry Johnson, in his first year as the featured back in Penn State's offensive attack, was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. Johnson won the prestigious Maxwell Award, the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award, The Doak Walker Award presented to the nation's top back, and was a first team All -American on a multitude of teams. He was the Chevrolet Offensive Player of the year and became Penn State's all- time single season leader in yards gained rushing the football. Prior to the 2002 season, from the running back position, Penn State has had a Heisman Trophy winner, 5 Heisman Trophy Finalists, 11 All-Americans, 3 players selected to the College Football Hall of Fame, 7 number-1 draft choices, 2 selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and 5 selected to the NFL Pro Bowl.
Hold the Runner Drill
Purpose:
The purpose of the hold the runner drill is to teach and practice proper fundamentals of carrying the football. This drill places special emphasis on body lean and protecting the football while in the grasp of the defender.
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| Emphasis is on good body lean. |
Equipment:
Football, field marked with lines
Procedure:
1. RB aligns 10 yards from goal line. Ball carrier gets shoulders square to goal line and places the ball in one hand.
2. The RB's partner (defender) straddles the ball carrier from behind with legs spread, hands on the runners hips and head back.
3. On command from coach, the ball carrier attempts to accelerate full speed for 10 yards keeping his shoulders square to the goal line. The defender provides 80-90% resistance to the RB by leaning back and pulling on the RB's hips. We tell him to give ground grudgingly!
4. At 8-10 yards, the defender lets go of the runner and attempts to rake (strip) the football from ball carrier from behind.
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| 80-90% resistance by holder is essential. |
Coaching Points:
1. Stress POWER RUNNING! Body Lean, Leg Drive, free arm movement.
2. Defenders must make the RB WORK! He has to remember that his job is to challenge the RB and help him get better, not to prove who's stronger.
3. We stress breaking the tackle, but never losing concentration on proper ball carrying habits.
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| Holder should "rake" ball near end of drill to emphasize ball security to runner |
FOUR-CORNERS DRILL FOR RECEIVERS by Joe Tiller
Joe Tiller is the Head Football Coach at Purdue University. This article is part of a series Joe Tiller has done focusing on wide receiver fundamentals for Coach Illustrated. Be sure to see all of Coach Tillers articles in the Coach Illustrated Library. Click on the link at the top of the page. A special thanks to Purdue Receiver Coach Ted Gilmore and Don Powers, Director of Football Operations at Purdue, for their contributions to this article.
4 Corner Drill For Receivers
Purpose: To teach and practice good pad level, keeping chest over thighs and running out of the break.
Equipment Needed: 4 cones or flat pads for markers.
Procedures:
1. Align Receivers in a straight line behind one another.
2. Have four cones about 10 yards apart forming a square.
3. On coachs command the first receiver will start through the cones, breaking his route at each cone. Once the first receiver gets to the first cone and makes his break, the next receiver can begin the drill.
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| As receiver approaches first marker, he must lower his center of gravity to make |
Coaching Points:
1. Check for good pad level and good arm pump.
2. Make sure that the receivers burst into the break point, and that they have chest over thighs in a good bent position as they execute the break and sprint out of the cut.
3. Make sure that they throw the inside arm back and snap the head around looking for the ball.
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| As receiver approaches first marker, he must lower his center of gravity to make |
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| It is crucial that receiver accelerates out of break and gets his head turned as |
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On a wet surface, make sure players have proper footing and footwear.
FIRST STEP DRILL FOR LINEBACKERS by Paul Pasqualoni
Paul Pasqualoni is the head football coach at Syracuse University.
Purpose: To be sure linebackers have proper weight distribution while in their stance and dont take false steps on their initial reaction to their keys.
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| First Step Drill set up |
Equipment Needed: Three rectangular bags, placed on ground behind players
Procedure:
1. Three linebackers align side-by-side, approx 2-3 yards apart, with their heels pushed back against rectangular bags.
2. Coach, with ball in hand, will simulate a direction by moving the ball. Players will take their first step and then follow through with a proper angle to the line of scrimmage.
3. Coach can give two directions with ball, the second one coming after the first step has been taken, This represents a counter play and the linebackers will have to take a second directional step, to adjust to the counter movement, then attack line of scrimmage.
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| The first step should be a short 6 inch 45 degree directional step, under contro |
Coaching Points
1. Linebackers should not take any false drop steps. Thats why the bags are used.
2. Linebackers should stay in a good hitting position as they step, without getting overextended.
3. Linebackers should take a short 6 inch first step, continuing to read tailback for a counter play. If play is a counter, they should redirect with another short 6-inch step before attacking the line of scrimmage.
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| After taking a good first step, the linebackers should attack the line of scrimm |
