Preparing to play the position of running back in football takes a lot of work. The running back absorbs as much contact as any player on the football field, and in order to handle that physical workload, the back has to prepare for it. Exercises that work on a running back's speed enable him to run away from that contact. Strength building enables him to better handle the physical play.
Head-to-Head Drill
Set up two blocking pads about 6 yards apart. Have the running back and the linebacker lie down on their backs, with the crowns of their helmets touching each other. On the coach's whistle, the running back will run 5 yards back to take a hand-off from the quarterback. The linebacker also drops back 5 yards. At that point, both players will charge back to the starting point. The running back tries to run through the zone while the linebacker tries to make the tackle. This prepares the running back for the contact he will have to endure at his position during the season. Have each back run this drill at least three times in practice.
Run to the Spot
In this drill, the coach sets out cones on the offensive side of the field that mimic the path a running back takes when he runs a sweep to the outside portion of the field. On the coach's whistle, the running back takes a hand-off from the quarterback and follow the cones to the outside. On the opposite side of the line of scrimmage, a tackler runs to a spot just past the line of scrimmage in an attempt to tackle the runner. The running back has to either speed by the tackler or run over him. This is one of the bread-and-butter plays for most offensive teams and the running back has to be proficient at it in order for the team to be successful. Have each back and tackler run this drill five times.
Parachute Speed Drill
The running back has to try to work on his speed in order for him to do his job well. In order to build speed, a running back can sprint with a parachute on his back. Start off at the goal line wearing a parachute on your back. The parachute is worn on a harness; you put it on the same way you put on a backpack. Sprint 100 yards with a football under your arm. You will feel a tremendous resistance as you run, but you must not stop, slow down or turn around as you sprint. Go as fast as you can over the full 100 yards. Then run this drill again, but when you get to the 50-yard mark on the football field, press the release button on the chute so that it drops off. You will feel a surge of speed; this exercise is designed to help you get faster.
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