Learning American Football Coaching

Basics to football hand offs

Learning the basics in a handoff is essential to a strong offense. We will explain this in a common scenario between a quarterback and a running back. The running back starts the hand off running towards the quarterback with his arms open creating a pocket for the quarterback to slide the football right into the running backs chest. When the running back receives the football he clamps down both arms hard on the football to protect it. As the running back runs off with the football it is important to stay low to increase agility and speed.

Conditioning: Dot drilling

Conditioning is meant to increase speed, endurance, and reaction time on the football field. This drills intention is to help quickness and accuracy on the field which will reduce errors and increase the chances of great plays. Setting up this drill is very simple, you will need five markers placed about a foot apart in an x formation with one of the dots being in the center surrounded by four other dots in a square formation.

The athlete starts at the edge of the mat placing their feet on two of the outer dots and proceeds to jump with feet together on the center spot and then out again quickly to the outer dots similar to a simple hop scotch motion. The second phase is having the player touch each of the dots with only one foot, and then switch to the other foot. Then continue around the dots with both legs together. The end step is similar to the first jumping jack step except that this time the player will turn 180 degrees after jumping on the two dots. Players will need to increase their speed and accuracy to be effective with this drill.

Line of scrimmage tactics

Football is all about strategy and fining, or making weak spots in your opponent. Use the proven technique of double teaming to get great results on the field!This play is simple, double up and push through. If you ever need to get a running back through or perform a great blitz, remember this technique. Here are some pointers for this strategy: First, players need to step together, and second lock hips. They form a wall that the opponent cannot break. The double team should focus on the shoulders, and arm pits of the opponent to control dominance. Work it fast and work it hard!

Catching the ball high

As a receiver, or any player that is going to catch a pass, you know that not all passes are going to go right to the chest. Here are some simple steps when making a high catch: Make a diamond with their forefingers and thumbs. When you have your hands extended you are performing a proper catch, remember, and dont ever catch it with your body. Once you have your hands around the ball, dont take your eyes off the ball but follow it right into your tuck.