Football players may be built in the weight room, but talents and skills are developed on the field. From the quarterback to the kicker, every position goes through years of training on the field just to play the game at a competitive level. There are many great football drills to choose from, each working either a specific position group or the entire team at once.
Individual Offense
Zig Zag: This drill is great for any position which carries the ball. It focuses on planting to change direction and side-to-side ball transitioning. Stagger six cones over 30 yards with a five yard middle gap between each. Have a ball carrier run from cone to cone, planting their foot on the outside of each while transferring the ball to the outside hand.
QB Drop: One of the most basic but important fundamentals for a quarterback is proper drop steps after taking the snap. Practice taking all of the drops, from a quick one step drop to a full seven step drop. Emphasize coming back up into the pocket after each drop.
Figure Eights: This drill will help receivers make a drastic change in direction without letting the DB know too early. Separate two cones by 10 yards and have the receiver stand behind one of them. He will run toward the second cone, drop his hips a few steps from the cone so that he can run around it, then run back toward the first cone in a figure-eight pattern.
Individual Defense
Follow the Ball: This drill will increase a defenders backpedal speed and ball reaction. Start with a defender facing a coach holding a ball in the air. As the player begins to backpedal, the coach will move the ball left, right, forward, and back signifying which direction the player should backpedal. The drill ends when the coach throws the ball to an open area and the player plants his foot to run and catch it.
Trip Drill: This drill teaches players to tip a highly thrown pass into the air for another defender behind them. Start with a line of players facing a coach 20 yards away. A player will run toward the coach who then throws the ball above the players head. The player must jump into the air and tip the ball up to the next player behind him, who must then re-tip the ball into the air for the next player.
Highest Point: This drill helps defenders time their jump in an attempt to pick off a highly thrown pass. Start with a line of players facing the coach 30 yards away. Every player one by one will run toward the coach who then throws the ball high into the air. The players must jump high into the air and catch the ball at his peak jump height.
Team
Oklahoma: This drill requires one running back, one offensive lineman, one defensive lineman, and one linebacker. Set up two cones five yards apart and mark it as the line of scrimmage. Give the running back the ball and have the offensive lineman and defensive lineman line up across from each other. On the coaches signal the play will start. The offensive lineman will block left, right, or straight and the running back must make it past the line of scrimmage before a defender tackles him.
Passing Tree: This drill works on timing, the quarterback drop and route running precision. Have every receiver line up wide of the quarterback and go through the entire route tree one by one. The quarterback should signal the beginning of every play and should also occasionally mix in an audible.
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