When coaching youth football, it is important to make sure that your players run a sufficient number of defensive drills to cement their tackling and blocking skills. These youth football coaching drills aim to improve your defensive line’s reflexes when finding the football and tackling at the goal line.
The first of the youth football coaching drills is called the “Read and React”. For this drill you will need to have three defenders at the line of scrimmage standing in their respective stances. You will also require a player to stand in as center and a running back for the offensive squad. The drill begins as the center throws the ball to the running back that runs full speed in whatever direction he prefers.
When the snap is performed, the coach calls out the snap count in an attempt to draw the defenders in a particular direction. They are to pursue the ball carrier and follow through until the play is finished.
For the next of these youth football coaching drills that focus on improving your defensive line’s skills, you will need to divide your team into pairs, where one player is acting as the ball carrier and the other as the defensive player. Have them stand facing each other 5 yards apart in the center of a square formed with cones.
At your signal, the defender is to try and keep the running back from making his way out of the square and scoring points. Make sure your tackler maintains a solid base, takes the running back high and keeps his own head up while performing the tackle.
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