Young people train and prepare for football differently than older players do. Young players do conditioning work similar to older players, but the distances run are significantly less than veteran players. Much of the training work done is instructional. Players have to get ready for a season and they have to know how to block, tackle and catch the football.
Running Back Ball Protection Drill
It's important to teach running backs the right way to hold on to the ball. First they must learn how to receive it when they get the handoff from the quarterback. Then they must secure the ball. In this drill, have the running back open his arms and present the quarterback with a wide target to place the ball. As soon as the running back feels the ball in his midsection, he must secure the ball by carrying it in his outside arm. He must do this by the time he reaches the corner and begins to cut upfield. At that point, have a linebacker try to knock the ball out. If the runner can hold on to the ball, he has done his job.
Tackling Drill
It's important for young people to learn to tackle correctly. This is done by having the young tackler practice on tackling dummies. The key is to drive with your inside shoulder into the middle of the tackling dummy and then wrap it up and drive it to the ground. When the young tackler does this successfully three times, he is ready to take on a running back. Coaches don't want tacklers to lead with their helmet because it is dangerous and against the rules. A player who does not hit the tackling dummy correctly will not be allowed to attempt tackling a live player.
Quarterback Recognition
In youth football, the option play is very popular. On the option play, the quarterback will either keep the ball or pitch it to the running back based on the action of the defensive end. The quarterback has to learn to keep the ball when the defensive end gets in a position to tackle the running back and pitch the ball if the defensive end charges at him. In this drill, the coach will instruct the defensive end of which player to chase down and the quarterback must make the correct decision each time.
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