Spring football provides teams with an important opportunity to mark their progress midway between the end of the previous season, and the start of the next one. It is particularly key in college football, where teams go through a two- to three-week session of spring practice. Conditioning drills and practices are fairly rigorous, and therefore a substantial test for players.
Conditioning Drills
These are regularly done at the end of a spring practice session. After players have gone through position drills and worked on plays, team conditioning drills determine which players are in top condition, and which ones have more work to do in that area. Conditioning drills can be done in many ways, but one of the most popular is to have your players line up on the sidelines. On the coach's whistle, they will sprint to the near hash mark and back, to the far hash mark and back, then to the far sideline and back. After a one-minute break, repeat the drill. This is a demanding sprint will build up a player's endurance, legs, and speed.
Five-Yard Tackling Drill
Coaches want to know that their players have honed their tackling skills during the off-season. In a tackling drill that will test linebackers and defensive backs, a running ball gets the ball in the backfield as if he has taken a pitch from the quarterback. Cones are set up on the far side of the line of scrimmage, and the running back must take the ball to the outside of the cones, then cut upfield. At the point where the running back reaches the cones, the tackler pursues him, and must bring him down before he gets five yards upfield. Change tacklers and ball carriers throughout the drill.
Quarterback Progression Drill
This drill helps a quarterback to improve accuracy, and quicken his release. Have the quarterback take the snap from center, and drop back five to eight yards. When he sets up in the pocket, he must throw a 15-yard pass to the receiver on his right. He immediately goes back under center, drops back, and throws a 15-yard pass to the receiver on his left. Instruct him to go back under center and make 25-yard passes to receivers on the right and left in the same manner. This helps the quarterback work on having a quick and balanced drop back, and should improve his passing accuracy. Take a 30-second break, then repeat the drill.
Member Comments