Playing college football requires a major commitment in terms of time, effort and skill building. Once a season ends, the next season begins. Strength-training will be the largest part of offseason training, but once players report to training camp, players work on speed, quickness and building skills along with strength work.
Interval Sprinting Work
Increasing your speed and quickness is a vital part of summer training for college football players. Running in full pads will help players get used to the conditions they will face in games. Start off with all players standing on the goal line. Have them sprint to the 20-yard line and back, the 30-yard line and back, the 40-yard line and back and then to midfield and back. Give your players a two-minute break and then have them repeat the drill.
Quarterback-Receiver Drill
In this drill, the quarterback will take his position under center and make four throws from the pocket. He will drop back five to seven steps and throw a sideline pass to the receiver on the far left, a post pattern pass to the receiver in the left slot, a hook pattern pass to the receiver in the right slot and a square-out and go pattern to the receiver on the far right. This will help the quarterback get used to throwing a variety of passes and help the receivers get used to catching passes quickly.
Tackling Drill
Players have to get used to tackling during the summer if they are going to do it in games. In this drill, the running back will receive a pitch-out or hand-off, run seven yards to the outside and then cut upfield. At the same time, the linebacker must run laterally seven yards and then run directly at the running back and wrap up and make the tackle. Coaches must demand that the linebacker drives his shoulder into the ball carrier's midsection and wrap him up with his arms. Linebackers can never lead with their helmets when tackling because it can lead to devastating injuries.
Expert Insight
The tone that is set in training camp helps set the team's course for the regular season. Alabama strength and conditioning coach Scott Cochran believes that a summer training program will help the team's focus throughout the season. "You want a totally conditioned athlete, and the words that come to mind are explosive power," Cochran says. "What we try to do is make these guys work harder than they have ever worked -- push the envelope further than they have ever pushed it -- and see how they respond," Cochran told Stack Magazine. "We can't simulate [in the weight room] the amount of adversity they will face in a game. But we can get as close to it as possible by getting their bodies completely sore, then pushing them past their limits."
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