Monday, January 10, 2011

Drills for Football - Preseason Drills to Get Players in Shape

Those who are serious about football - coaches and players alike - should be thinking about the game and preparing for the season all year round. However, it is inevitable that players will get rusty in the off season. These drills for football will get players in shape for game play and give coaches the opportunity to evaluate their talent before assigning positions.

Route Tree

This drill for football is an invaluable tool for helping quarterbacks and wide receivers develop their fundamental skills. The Route Tree is also very helpful for coaches to analyze potential quarterbacks and wide receivers for the season.

The drill begins with the quarterback in the middle of the field and the wide receiver assuming the position he would during a game, along the sideline of the field. After the snap, the quarterback launches the ball to the wide receiver as he runs an unopposed route. Some commonly used routes include: the receiver cutting in after five yards, the receiver cutting out after five yards, and running a "go," a straight line route used to beat deep defenders.

To add a further challenge to the drill, have a defensive player positioned with the wide receiver to increase the motivation for speed and create a more game-like scenario.

Sideline Running Drill

This football drill was designed to help running backs work on their sideline running technique. Their focus during the drill should be on maintaining balance and control while running the ball.

To set up this drill, position three players with blocking shields five yards apart from each other and three yards from the sideline. Once the running back receives the ball, he should attempt to run it down the field, between the sideline and the players with shields. The players will use their shields to try to push the running back out of bounds, while he works to stay in bounds and maintain control of the ball. The running back should strive to lean into the opposition and focus on keeping his forward momentum.

Step in the Hole Drill

This drill for football helps defensive players develop their ability to anticipate offensive players' moves and complete the tackle.

For this drill, station six dummies one yard apart from each other in a straight line. Position a linebacker facing the dummies, three to four yards away. Have a running back positioned on the other side of the dummies, facing the direction of the linebacker.

To begin the drill, the running back will approach the line of dummies and, at the last moment, pick a hole between two dummies to rush through. The linebacker should be sidestepping as he watches the running back and attempts to anticipate his move. Once the running back decides his course, the linebacker should move to defend.




And if you'd like to see more free football drills, tips and coaching ideas, go here to watch a free video:

http://www.football-tutorials.com/vid/

Inside, you'll discover dozens of unique, fun, and wickedly effective drills for youth football you can take immediately to practice. Each one is simple to learn and easy to implement with your team.