When coaching youth football teams, I have found this football drill to be especially effective. It allows the football coaches to observe, technique including form, quickness and willingness to run the hole, block tough and hit/tackle.

The drill starts off with marking 3 holes with cones (centre, right, left). The offence then has two players lie on their backs, knees on the ground. One player is in front (the blocker), one player (the runner with the ball) directly behind them. They are lying one yard off the middle hole. The defence then lies two players (one in front, one behind) on the ground.

The offensive coordinator (OC), who is positioned behind the defensive players, blows the whistle and all four players jump to their feet and keep their feet moving. The OC then signals the hole that the offensive players are to block and run to. He then blows the whistle the second time and the offensive team blocks and runs to the hole signaled. The defensive players react and attempt to shed the blocker and make the tackle.

If the running back is stopped with negative yards it is two points to the defence. A fumble recovery is 3 points. If the Offence gains more then 3 yards it is a point to the offence. If more then 5 yards is gained, 3 points are awarded to the offence.

Then add additional players (two blockers, one running back,  three tacklers) and then (two upfront blockers, one back blocker and a running back and 4 tacklers).

The first side to 30 points wins and the other side must do sprints! This is a great football drill to assess players on their running, blocking and tackling capability.

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