Drills Report – Advanced Wide Receiver Drills, Part I

I am always looking for effective drills that my receivers can use to make them better. I think it’s important to think through drills before you use them and make sure they reinforce the technique utilized in a game and the technique utilized within your offense. Your players will be able to tell you how certain drills reinforce situations that come up in a game. That’s when you know you are using the correct drills.

I always try to get as much out of a drill as I can. When we are doing drills to improve catching the football, we will also put emphasis on route running. We only run the last five yards of the route, but we stress sticking and turning the plant foot, weight over the knee with butt out, and running the arms through the cut. If the receiver doesn’t do this, I don’t throw him the ball. They will eventually get the message.

Drills cannot be taken lightly. Each technique must be practiced to perfection. We use a phrase called “over-emphasize the drill”. It basically means to exaggerate the technique we are working on. If it is catching the ball, then “over emphasize” watching it hit the WRs hands. If it is running the WRs arms through the cut, then “over-emphasize” the pumping of the arms. Every drill we do involves catching the football. The catch is not complete until the ball is tucked away. We over-emphasize this technique with speed to the tuck position and with the proper three-point pressure carrying the football. No fumbles are allowed.

Remember, a player will do what you condition him to do in his drill work. Here are five drills you can use to improve wide receiver play.

Bad Ball Drill

(Diagram 1)

1. High ball – ball is thrown so receiver must jump to catch the ball.

2. Low ball – ball is thrown so receiver must catch the ball between the knees and ankles.

3. Ball behind – ball is thrown so receiver must reverse out to catch the ball.

4. Ball out front – ball is thrown so receiver must extend out to catch the ball.

Points of emphasis: Receivers must take their eyes to the catch. On high ball, receiver must firm up his wrists. On low ball, receiver must bend his knees. On ball behind, receiver must come out of his hips. On ball out front, receiver must try to run through the throw.

Note:  When doing this drill, we always run through the last three steps of an in route so the players get additional work on sticking their foot in the ground.

 
Distraction Drill

(Diagram 2)

Distraction is in the form of the inside of three dummies. Do this at random so the receiver does not know which window the ball will be thrown in. Throw the ball as close to the dummy as possible.

Points of Emphasis: Stay on the line. No drifting allowed. Reach out and have  the WR catch the ball with his hands. Find the flight of the ball as soon as possible.

Note:  Again, we use the last three steps of our in route.



BOX drill

 (Diagram 3)

1.      In route to the first cone, catch the ball and tuck it.

2.      CB is back to the QB at the second cone. Catch the ball and tuck it.

3.     Flat route or swing at the third cone. Catch the ball, tuck it and avoid the dummy.

Points of Emphasis: The WR must not rush his routes. Make sure he is using the proper technique at each cone. That is, turning the plant foot and sticking it in the ground. Arms should be pumping through the route and with proper upper body lean. WR must get the ball tucked quickly to get ready for the next route which is continuous.

Note:  When doing this drill, spread the cones out far enough to allow the thrower time to get the next ball. Have someone next to the thrower ready with three balls. Have the WR drop the ball after each tuck. Extra WRs are stationed to pick balls up off the ground. You can use the flat RT or the swing RT at the last station. We use both because we throw bubble screens. Go to the right on day one and left on day two.

 Gauntlet Drill

(Diagram 4)

1. In route gauntlet left to right, the receiver runs through the dummies, catches the ball and plants off the cone. He then runs through the gauntlet securing the ball.

2. Repeat the drill going right to left.

3. For the curl route gauntlet left to right, the receiver runs the end of a curl route and searches for a window. After the catch, he runs to the cone and cuts to the left (the next time cutting right) and runs through the gauntlet securing the ball.

4. Repeat the drill going left to right.

Points of Emphasis: Catch the ball and get make sure pads are square upfield. When going through the gauntlet, the receiver must use three-point pressure on the ball. Hand is over the nose of the ball, elbow tight to the back of the ball and secure the ball against the rib cage.


Window Search drill

(Diagram 5)

For the inside window left side and inside window right side, the WR runs vertical eight to 10 yards and comes out of a curl cut. Have the WR search for the inside window. Once the ball is caught, make sure the WR’s square and makes a move off of the cone.
Points of Interest: WR must explode off plant foot and rip his shoulders around (the head will follow) and find the window inside. Teach the receiver to look at a defender’s drop as he is running the vertical part of his route. This will give him a good idea where the window will be. Stress getting the pads upfield after the catch. Don’t have the WR make the move until you get to the cone. p

Next month: Part II of ‘Advanced WR Drills’ will include The Weave Drill, Blocking Drill, Yards after Catch Drill, High Point Drill, nd the Wrong Shoulder Drill.