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Drills Report: Route Running – Improving Your Technique and Speed

by: Brent Steuerwald, Retired Head Coach
Shenendehowa High School (NY)
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There are a number of priorities a receiver should focus on when running proper routes. They include:

•  Being precise.
•  Reaching for the toes.
•  Have the head and eyes up.
•  Stem – win the leverage battle.
•  Speed in, burst out of the cut.
•  Hit your depth.
•  Arm action.
•  Footwork – pressure step/foot fire.

    Included are three different drills – the Clock Drill, Diamond Drill, and the Five on a Dice Drill – that are all designed to improve route running.

The Clock Drill
(Diagram 1)

Purpose: This drill emphasizes positive shin angles to help explode in one direction.
1.  WRs line-up at 6 o’clock, facing 12 o’clock.

2.  On command, they take off straight ahead until they reach the middle where a cone will be placed. They will then pressure step with their inside foot and break to the proper number (11 o’clock, 3 o’clock).

3.  The WRs can start with a jog and then place an overemphasis on the pressure step. The main focus is on pointing the knee to the number (or cone) that they are going to. This will create a positive shin angle, thus generating more power and explosion.

4.  The cones will be set up so the middle cone is 5-7 yards away from the numbers (cones).

Extension: You can stand in front of the WRs and make them release you first.

Extension: You can also stand behind the WRs and throw them a ball each time. Alternate the WRs one at a time.

Diamond Drill
(Diagram 2)

Purpose: This drill is used to understand and teach the pressure step when running a route.

1.  The WR will start at the first cone and work his way around the diamond.

2.  As he jogs at about three-quarters speed to the first cone, he will chop his feet and lower his pad level.

3.  He should pressure step his outside foot and proceed to the next cone.

4.  Just like the Clock Drill, the knee needs to be pointed in the desired direction to create a positive shin angle.

5.  The cones will be set five yards apart from each other.

Five on a Dice Drill
(Diagram 3)

Purpose: This drill is used to teach the importance of keeping your pad level low and not standing straight up when making a cut.

1.  The cones will be set up in a square configuration 10 yards apart from each other. A fifth cone will be placed right in the center of the square.

2.  The WR will start at the bottom right cone and proceed to the middle cone.

3. As he approaches the middle cone, he sinks his hips, bends his knees and touches the top of the middle cone with his left hand. After touching the cone, he proceeds to the upper right cone where he uses the same technique.

4.  This pattern will continue until he reaches the bottom left cone.

5.  The WRs can start with a jog and then build up to three quarters speed.

Extension: Coach stands at the end and makes the WR burst out of the last cut and then throws him a ball. p


About the Author: Brent Steuerwald retired in 2011 after a 55-year coaching career – 44 of which he was the head coach of Shenendehowa High School in Clifton Park, New York. He compiled an overall record of 319-88-4 as a head coach. Steuerwald received multiple local, state, and national coaching honors and led his team to three state championships.






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