Training camp is among the most important times for football teams. A coach wants to establish a tone for the coming season with conditioning and skill-building drills. Coaches want to put their players to the test, and one of the best ways to do this is with drills that involve blocking, tackling, and physical contact.
Oklahoma Drill
This is a drill that asks the tackler to read the block, then hit the ball carrier hard. Set up two cones eight yards apart, to represent the lane the running back will try to run through. On the coach's signal, an offensive lineman and defensive lineman will battle, as a linebacker waits behind the defensive lineman. The offensive lineman will try to wall off the defensive lineman so the running back has an open lane. The linebacker has to fill the hole and tackle the running back, blasting his shoulder into the ball carrier's midsection and driving him to the ground. If the defensive lineman wins the battle, the running back must then get through two defenders. Give each running back three carries, and each linebacker three attempts to make the tackle.
Multiple-Block Drill
In this drill, you want the offensive tackle or guard to make his initial block at the line of scrimmage, then head downfield to block a linebacker or defensive back. This is essential for a team that depends on its running game for the majority of its yardage and big plays. On the coach's signal, the offensive lineman will get his head and shoulder in front of the defensive lineman, and drive him to the ground. After completing the block, he will pursue the play downfield, and wall off the linebacker or defensive back. This will teach the offensive lineman to hustle and finish all his blocks.
Beat the Jam
This is one of the most important drills for any wide receiver. When facing an aggressive defensive back, the receiver will have to contend with a hard hit after the ball is snapped. This maneuver, executed by the defensive back, is called the jam, and is intended to keep the receiver from getting downfield, and to throw off his timing with the quarterback. The wide receiver must use the defensive back's momentum against him by throwing him in the direction in which the back is moving. Defeating the jam means putting your hands high on the defensive back's shoulder pads, and spinning him to the right or left. The key is to get your hands up quickly so you can move him to the side and run your receiving route.
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