Drills are an essential part of any football practice regimen, as they prepare players mentally and physically for game action. A few drills are universally known and used at every level of football. These drills help players with the fundamentals of the game, such as endurance, tackling, concentration and focus.
Tip Drill
This drill can be used at any level to develop concentration and reaction skills. Players line up in single file. As a coach or quarterback throws the ball, the first player in the line is the tipper, and the next player is the receiver. The tipper must tip or deflect the ball in a different direction. The receiver then tries to catch the ball off the tip.The receiver then becomes the tipper, the next player is the receiver, and so on. The result is better concentration for tipped balls during games, which happens often at all levels of football.
Four-Corners Drill
It's hard work getting through four quarters of football. This conditioning drill helps players with their endurance. Line four cones up 10 yards by 10 yards to make a 40-square-yard area. Players backpedal from the first cone to the second. From the second to the third, they go into the "karaoke drill," which mimics a quarterback dropping back, with the players shuffling their feet. From the third to fourth cone, players do a sideways shuffle. From there, they sprint back to the first cone. This drill can be done at least five times to get the full benefits. Make sure the players maintain good form throughout the drill.
Oklahoma Drill
This physical tackling drill helps teach defenders how to shed blocks and make tackles. Separate your team into groups: offensive lineman/tight ends versus defensive linemen/linebackers; and wide receivers versus defensive backs. Each group has two dummy bags positioned 3 to 5 yards apart. Each group also has a quarterback and a running back. On the coach's signal, the quarterback hands the ball off to a running back, who tries to run between the bags. A defender attempts to shed an offensive player's block and tackle the ball-carrier.
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