Purpose

This drill is great for not only improving a player’s agility, but also improves their reaction time, and teaches them that they should keep an eye on what’s happening with the quarterback at all times.

Set Up

  • Have your player(s) start off lying face down on the ground, watching the football.

Football Defense Drill

Execution

  1. When you hike the football, move it immediately to one side of your body.
  2. As you do so, your player will sprint in that direction – until you move the football to the other side of your body. The player should be covering about a 15 yard radius, 7.5 yards in each direction from their starting point.
  3. Go back and forth one or two times and then pull the ball up as if you are about to pass it – when the player sees this he should immediately charge the quarterback and just before he reaches you pump fake the ball.
  4. On that pump fake the player will turn and sprint back to their starting point, completing the drill.

Coaching Tips

  • Do not practice on cadence, teach your players to move on the ball.
  • This is a fantastic drill for working on the agility and footwork that are vital in developing a player’s ability to beat his blocker on a regular basis.