| on tackling safely and effectively | | | | Ball handling is one of the most vital skills that a |
| It has been stated many times that a defensive | | | | player can have on the field, and this drill’s |
| teams win games, and the most fundamental part of | | | | goal is to help players get a better feel and control |
| a defensive team is performing a great tackle. If you, | | | | for the football. The secret to this drill is having the |
| or your players don’t take tackling seriously | | | | ball constantly moving around and from hand to hand. |
| you will not stop the offense and could also cause | | | | The drill is simple and starts by having the player pass |
| injuries. Some points to remember when tackling: | | | | the ball around their head, torso, arms, knees, and |
| First, you need to stop the opponent quickly so | | | | even between their feet from one hand to another |
| make sure to place yourself directly in front of the | | | | in constant motion. |
| opponent’s path. Plant your cleats in the grass | | | | In this drill the coaches responsibility is to observe the |
| squarely in front and in the middle, bisecting the | | | | smoothness of the drill, and to also shout commands |
| player in half. Also, at this time thrust your arms | | | | of body positions to move the ball around, and also |
| backward to prepare for the next step. | | | | to reverse the direction of the football. The reverse |
| Second, push your other foot keeping your knees | | | | option is an important command as it will keep the |
| low and bent, and in sync with your feet throw your | | | | players on their toes and focuses on concentration |
| hands up hard around the offensive player. Now is | | | | and ball handling. |
| the time that injuries can happen. The one golden rule | | | | At the very end of the drill the players will do several |
| in making a safe tackle is to never, ever lead with or | | | | simple drops. For example, the player drops the ball |
| try to tackle with the crown of your head. Tell | | | | and retrieves it quickly. They also should rotate which |
| yourself, or your players to imagine that they are | | | | hand they are using to pick it up so that you can |
| biting the football. | | | | increase ball handling with both. |
| Third, throw your hips up and hard as you drive the | | | | Conditioning: The five dot drill |
| offensive player backwards. The more momentum | | | | Conditioning is meant to increase speed, endurance, |
| that you bring to the table on steps two and three | | | | and reaction time on the football field. The intent of |
| the more effective your speed will be in this last | | | | this drill is to increase accuracy, timing, and speed. |
| step. | | | | Setting up this drill is very simple, you will need five |
| Secrets to a good hand off | | | | markers placed about a foot apart in an x formation |
| Handoff skills can secure yardage on the field and | | | | with one of the dots being in the center surrounded |
| increase your overall success. The hand off can take | | | | by four other dots in a square formation. |
| place in many ways, but most if not all handoffs | | | | The athlete starts at the edge of the mat placing |
| occur between the quarterback and the running back. | | | | their feet on two of the outer dots and proceeds to |
| The running back starts the hand off running towards | | | | jump with feet together on the center spot and then |
| the quarterback with his arms open creating a | | | | out again quickly to the outer dots similar to a simple |
| pocket for the quarterback to slide the football right | | | | hop scotch motion. Next proceed around the dots |
| into the running back’s chest. When the | | | | one at a time jumping with one leg only, and then |
| quarterback slides the ball into the arms, or the | | | | change to the other leg. After this, the player will |
| pocket as it is called, the running back closes his arms | | | | touch all of the dots with both feet together. The |
| around the ball to protect it. As the running back runs | | | | end step is similar to the first jumping jack step |
| off with the football it is important to stay low to | | | | except that this time the player will turn 180 degrees |
| increase agility and speed. | | | | after jumping on the two dots. |
| Ball handling Drill: Hot potato | | | | |