Football Running Back Drills

A running back is a position of a player who plays American Football, similar to rugby. There are different American Football positions, and this particular position is meant for the player who usually stands, and lines up in the offensive back field position. The player standing in this position plays a very vital role, and has to be a complete team man. Roles of a running back are to catch passes from out of the back field, and to rush, and block. We cannot count the number of running backs in a particular team before the match begins, as it totally depends upon the formation which is set by the team captain and manager. A running back may also be a half back, tail back or a fullback. He also has to performs various football running back moves. There are certain football running back drills which they perform to increase their agility and speed, thus improving their overall game.

The half back position is one of the most crucial position in the team, as the player standing there has to perform the maximum work as and when required, depending upon the situation of the game in progress. He performs the multiple tasks of defending as well as attacking. The game has become so fast that he must be swift and agile to secure his position in the team. If a team has a good running back it can cover n number of faults. If a player likes to celebrate, then running back is the position to play in American football. Running backs need to be very strong, fast, and aggressive with their approach, and should have the ability to block. Generally, the best athletes in the team are honored with this position.

However, apart from just playing the game, running backs have to perform and work really hard during their football running back training sessions, so that they perform the football running back tricks correctly during the match. They also have various football running back workouts to do, for developing strength and endurance.

Useful Football Running Back Drills

Ladder Drills: This type of drill helps the players to increase the strength precisely in their legs so that they can generate more power, speed, and increase their agility. The players performing this drill have to keep the ladder on the ground, and have to cross the ladder by lifting their knees high, and stepping on the empty spaces which are created after the ladder is kept on the ground. Agility ladder drills help in quick movement of the feet.

Snake Run: This type of drill helps in strengthening the hip muscles, and body balance. Cones have to be kept in such a way that the players overlap them in a zigzag manner. However, this has to be done at a very rapid speed so that the actual benefit is extracted from it.

Pass Wave Drill: This drill helps in building the passing technique of the players as spontaneous passing is involved in this type of practice. The players have to continuously pass the ball to each other, without the main catcher reaching it. This helps in building the passing technique.

Bag Drill: This drill helps in taking the handoff, and hold on to the ball. Practice the running back handoff from the left and right side as per the coach's instructions, as he is the right man to suggest some football running back tips. Make sure that the shoulders are down, and the knees are up while performing it.

Fumble Drill: It helps the players to keep the ball in possession, and also to stay in upright contact. It helps in developing the balance as defenders try to cut out the legs of the running back.

Stumble Drill: This type of drill helps the players to keep the ball in possession even when they are falling or being tackled. In this drill, the coach teaches the player to switch the ball in the opposite arm during the fall.

High Knee Drill: It is very important for a running back to keep his knee high while running so that he can maintain his balance and avoid the tacklers.

Side Line Running: This drill is practiced to sharpen the skills of sideline running. The runner has to take care of certain things while performing it, such as keeping the toes pointed up feet, give with his hips, field foot must not cross over, and this is because, this drill is especially meant for the players who are associated with side line running.

Football Pitch Drill: A Group of running backs have to be aligned at the sideline on a yard line with another line of running backs lined up in such a way that the two lines are a few yards apart. The first ball should be given to the first running back, standing on the first line, and make him jog in place while the first back on the other line starts running down the yard line to receive the football pitch. As soon as the second running back receives the pitch, he jogs in his place, while the first back receives the next football pitch. This drill should be continued until they reach the other side of the field.

Following were the various drills which the running backs practice, and this will also help you know about the rigorous efforts which players put in to develop their skills and overall game.