Football Strength and Conditioning – Killers & Fumble Fighting

I am always receiving numerous requests for drills to increase football strength and conditioning. Here are a couple that work well for all ages.

Killers
I have found a fun way to complete football practice with a challenging and beneficial leg strengthening football conditioning drill. The football drill is competitive and pairs each player with a partner of similar height.

Each pair stands back to back and locks arms by hooking their elbows behind them. Once everyone is set, I blow the whistle. Leaning against one another, they walk out until their legs are in a 90 degree position with their feet under the knees. This requires strength, balance and teamwork. The last team standing wins.

I think the “wall sit” is one of the best ways to develop explosive leg strength in young players and this “Killers” drill simulates this exercise in a fun, competitive manner. Do three rounds and the kids are “cashed” at the end. 5 minutes.

Fumble Fighting
It is all about leverage and determination. As the name suggests, this drill is intended to teach the players about what is takes to secure the fumbled football. I place a ball in the center of three equally sized players positioned around the ball in a three point circle. They are down on hands and knees about one yard from the ball. From here, it’s pretty simple. On the whistle, they lunge and fight to secure the ball. My double whistle signals a winner. Third grade tackle produces many loose balls and this drill helps our kids get a feel for what it takes to secure a fumble.

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