The Drills Report - Central Florida\'s Ball Security

by: Tim Salem
Offensive Coordinator & Running Backs Coach, University of Central FL
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One of the fastest ways to lose a football game is by the offense turning the ball over to its opponent. Keeping turnovers to a minimum through techniques and drills that are practiced ensures the team’s chance of success. The offensive coaches’ motto at UCF is, “Ball security is a job, yours and mine.”

If an individual is fumbling the ball away too many times, he will be replaced. If a position on the team is losing the football, the coach will be replaced. With this emphasis on players and coaches held accountable, a stronger sense of importance about ball security occurs. As we speak to our players about ball security, the words “secure,” “protect” and “squeeze” are used. We stay away from negative phrases like, “don’t fumble” and “hang on to the ball.” These positive trigger words allow players to focus on playing the game and not playing apprehensively.

FOUR POINTS OF PRESSURE
The football must be held and carried with the four points of pressure:

1. The front tip on the ball should be gripped within the web of the hand between the point and middle fingers. All fingers must cover the tip for maximum strength.

2. The back tip of the ball should be protected by the elbow that is locked down. No daylight may show between body and ball.

3. The outside of the ball is secured with the forearm.

4. Inside of the ball should be pressed against the body and held high and tight across the ribs and chest.

The ball is held tight enough that a little bit of air is leaking out the valve. Once you hear the ‘psst’ take some squeeze off the ball. Since the defense is trying to ‘CPR’ the ball (club, punch, rip), the offense must work not to allow this to happen. Å series of drills are included in our practice routine for us to maintain the football. Every other day in pre-fall practice and one day a week in season, we do a ball security circuit with all offensive skill players involved. We divide our skilled players into three groups. The groups will rotate every two minutes with a thirty-second rotation.

STATION 1

We use the sideline portion of the field from the goal line to the thirty (See Diagram 1) for Station 1. ‘Drive block and recover fumble’ is another part of our circuit drill. Two lines will form three yards apart and drive block a shield for approximately three yards. A coach will stand behind and command the two blocks. A “ball” call will be given out and two footballs will be tossed onto the ground behind the blockers. The blockers must get off their blocks, find the football and recover with correct technique (See Diagram 2).

Diagram 1

Diagram 2

Station 2

The players will partner up with each group using one ball. The runner will start on the sideline and run to the hash. The defender will grab a hold of the runner’s pants or back neck portion of his shoulder pads. As the runner leaves on the command, the defensive players give resistance with the grab hand; they club, punch or rip with off hand as the runner moves. Runners will go down and back carrying the ball in each arm (See Diagram 3).

Diagram 3

Station 3

Lines of two will form on the sideline. On command the players will do a forward roll (old fashioned, elementary, bend knees, tuck chin), pop up, chop feet in place. There will be a second forward roll on command and spring past the numbers. The ball will be carried in the opposite arm on the return. Forward rolls are done to put the ball carrier in an awkward position. The ball must be secured tight in and out of the roll (See Diagram 4).

Diagram 4

Other drills you can use:
Station One – ‘Gauntlet’ or ‘Sideline Run Drill’

Station Two – ‘Catch Tuck and Run’: Offensive player stands with ball extended high in front of his head in a catch position. On command, the ball is brought into a secure position as the defender stands behind. He then tries to ‘CPR’ the ball as the runner has tucked the ball and turned up field.

Station Three – ‘Monkey Rolls’: Three-man monkey rolls are used with footballs. Again, the ball must be in a secure position throughout the movement. ‘Log Rolls’: Large dummies are laid side by side. Offensive players roll over the bags at the waist with the ball protected tight. The objective is to have the runner get used to rolling onto and off piles during play.

Tim Salem, the OC and Running Backs Coach at Central Florida, just completed his fourth season with the Knights. A 1985 graduate of Arizona State, Salem has over 20 years experience as an assistant coach. He previously coached at his alma mater, Phoenix College, Colorado State, Purdue, Ohio State, and Eastern Michigan.

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