Monday, September 26, 2011

RB High Knees Drill


The High Knees Drill is a great way to teach backs to drive their knees up while running to help them break tackles.  The best cut-up is at the end of the video of former 49er great, Roger Craig, as he demonstrates his high knee running style in ripping off one of the more memorable runs in NFL history.  As with any RB drill, proper Ball Security must always be emphasized. If I may critique, the RBs in the drill cut-ups have below average technique, because they should always have their wrists above their elbows while running the ball.

Monday, September 19, 2011

RB Quickness and Agility Drills

There are many different types of running styles, but all great backs have one trait in common: quick feet.  These quickness and agility drills should be a priority for the RB Coach.  A key coaching point for any agility drill is for the athlete to have a low center of gravity.  This allows the RB to be able to change direction quickly.  Good core strength and explosive calf strength also allows a RB to stick his foot in the ground and make a cut and accelerate quickly (see the cut on the run beginning at the 4:19 mark). 

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

RB Balance Touch Drill

I will be sharing some RB Drills in my upcoming posts from a dvd I made for my RBs a couple of years back.  The actual drills were done by former Auburn RB Coach Eddie Gran.  He's one of the best coaches I have ever met and has coached some good ones: Deuce McCallister, Rudi Johnson, Heath Evans, Cadillac Williams, Ronnie Brown, and Monterrio Hardesty.  I added a few cut-ups on the video to go along with the Auburn cut-ups that he already had and put them in slow-motion so you can really see the skill being performed. 

The Balance Touch Drill is a good drill to start Indy time with to help your guys get loose and for them to get reps performing a very useful and important skill for the position.  If a RB is stumbling, he can put his hand down (balance touch) and keep on running instead of falling down.  This may not seem like much, but it is often the difference between scoring and not scoring, as you will see for yourself on the video. 

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Bryan Harsin Shift and Motion Package

New Texas Co-Offensive Coordinator Bryan Harsin is bringing hope, optimism, and the Boise St. playbook with him to the Longhorn state.  The Boise St. offenses under Head Coach Chris Peterson and OC/QB Coach Bryan Harsin utilized a sophisticated shift and motion package considered to be best in college football.  This offense is pro-style and similar to what the NFL guys run, but with a bit more creativity and certainly a flair for the dramatic.  The Boise St. offenses that Harsin presided over the past five years were very balanced, twice averaging more than 200 yards per game rushing and passing, to go along with a 61-5 record from 2006-2010.