Top Running Back Drills to Incorporate Into Practices

The most critical element of football is offense. Without this skill, a team’s ability to score points will be negatively impacted. As offense takes control of the ball, they are able to control the tempo of the game and set up scoring opportunities.

For your players to become strong offensive players, running back drills should be incorporated into your practices. These drills will set your players up to focus on agility, control, awareness, and strategy: all key characteristics of a winning team.

Let’s explore some essential running back drills.

Essential Running Back Drills

2-Step Handoff

Setup: Running back drills should start with the football player positioned a few paces behind the quarterback. The running back needs to be ready to quickly advance toward the quarterback directly.

Directions: After the movement, the quarterback takes two steps to a predetermined side. Here they will meet up with the runner back. The runner back needs to be ready to take the handoff and proceed on a forward route.

Tips: Ensure the running back continues running past the quarterback to the line of scrimmage. Their momentum has them completing their route quickly.

3-Step Handoff

Setup: Much like the 2-step, but only the quarterback is taking an extra step.

Directions: It’s the same idea – a close meet for the handoff. The quarterback must shield the ball firmly into the belly of the back.

Tips: This is often used as a “stretch” handoff – running in the opposite direction.

1-Step Fake Handoff

Setup: The setup needs to be quick, the quarterback will go one step and then hand off the ball to his teammate. Both players are behind the scrimmage line at the hike.

Directions: Alright time to bring out those acting skills! The believable fake handoff makes or breaks this play.

Tips: Get good at selling that fake. Both players should exaggerate the fake handoff action and sell it to the defence.

Stretch Fake Handoff

Setup: The player will be a few yards away from the quarterback, ensuring a quick meet-up for the fake handoff.

Directions: The quarterback extends their arm out, imitating a tight handoff. Meanwhile, the running back persists, taking the defence with them.

Tips: The closer the space and the better the communication, the better this fake will be.

See these Running Back Drills in action

Hop and Switch Drill

Setup: Players will line up first in a bent-over position, feet shoulder-width apart, football tucked against their chest.

Directions: Players will hop forward, changing the football from one arm to the other. They must simultaneously change out their landing foot, to simulate in-game ball switching.

Tips: Start players off executing the ball switch without the hop. Do this to make sure the move is smooth and can be done right before making things more complicated.

Learn more about Hop and Switch Drill

Fast Footwork Drill

Setup: Space two players, or one player and a marker, approximately 15 yards apart to simulate offensive and defensive positions.

Directions: Players are to utilize different footwork skills to get around the defensive player while keeping control of the football.

Tips: Add flag-grabbing into this drill for added agility and game situation settings.

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