Open Field Tackling
Purpose To work on pursuit and tackling form in the open field. Set Up Setup 4 cones, all 10 yards apart. Have the LB’s form a line on one end, with the ball carriers on the...
Defensive Line Drills
Bad Ball Drill
Purpose To work on a players ability to make difficult catches. Set Up Have the receivers form a single file line, and stand about 15-20 yards in front of it. You’ll also need...
1 V 1 Pass Rush
Purpose To work on pass rush moves and finishing the play in a game situation. Set Up Have five offensive linemen and five defensive linemen line up across from each other....
Fill The Gap Drill
Purpose To teach proper pursuit and tackling techniques. Set Up Line up 4 dummy bags about 2 yards apart, with a final cone 5 yards after the last bag. You’ll also need two...
Breakthrough Drill
Purpose Teaching runners to stay low, run with power and be decisive Drill Setup Have two defensive players line up side by side with blocking bags Have a third defensive...
D Line Scramble Defensive Drill
Purpose To put the defensive lineman through a gauntlet of sorts, working on a variety of necessary skills. Set Up You’ll need two cones, 3-4 flat bags or blocking shields (or...
Inline Tackling Drill
Purpose This drill is a half speed, game-like drill that simulates shedding a block, creating a pursuit angle and stopping a ball carrier at the line of scrimmage. Set Up Set...
Shake and Bake Drill
Drill Type: Defensive Line Drill Purpose Very effective in stopping an offensive lineman from kicking back and taking him to where you surface to get to the quarterback; it...
The Redirect Drill
Drill Type: Defensive Line Drill Purpose This defensive line drill focuses on having a quick reaction, getting across the line, finding the ball, and getting to it in the...
Draw and Screen Drill
Drill Type: Pass Rush Drill Purpose Allows players to gain better take-off, great movement and acceleration to the quarterback. Set Up Set up 4 pop up dummies onthe line of...
“Around The Corner” Defensive Line Drill
Purpose This drill focuses on the lineman’s footwork, and their ability to explode not only off the line, but through the quarterback. Set Up Set up a tackle dummy, and stand...
“Rush Against the Pop-Up” Drill
Drill Type: Pass Rush Drill Purpose In this pass rush drill, we simulate ball movement without using the offensive line or each other, instead performing a rush against a...
Score Tackling Drill
Drill Type: Defense Drill Purpose This drill emphasizes getting in front of ball carriers and attacking them square. Set Up Set up 4 bags, or 4 lines of cones (3 cones deep)...
Angle Tackle Drill
Drill Type: Tackling Drill Purpose This tackling drill focuses on getting into the proper tackling position and the mechanics of a tackle from an angle. Set Up The cones...
Angle Tackle Drill
Drill Type: Tackling Drill Set Up The cones should be set up two yards by two yards. The inside cones are two yards apart, which makes the cones that the players are at,...
The Slalom Drill
Drill Type: Agility Purpose This agility drill focuses on lateral change of direction shuffle. Setup Set up a series of cones in two straight rows about 5 feet apart, and...
Punt Pressure Drill: Run The Hoop
Many times, players are afraid to go block the kick, because of the fear of a resulting penalty. This is a great punt pressure drill that you can use to teach your players how...
Special Teams: The Butt & Press Drill
As you get closer to the ball carrier, there are going to be guys that are in your way. Many players want to run around blocks. But what really needs to happen in a shock and...