The Drills Report: Auburn’s Running Back Drills

by: Eddie Gran
Running Backs Coach, Auburn University
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We practice a number of drills for running backs on a daily basis. These include ball leverage drills; movement and bag drills; decision-making drills; pass blocking drills; and pass catching drills. For this article, we’ll include our five ball leverage drills:

A. Strip Drill-Side: This is protecting the ball from defenders trying to strip the ball in a crowd – usually linemen and linebackers – (See Diagram 1).

Diagram 1: Strip Drill-Side

Procedure: Align running backs side-by-side with one having a football in the right hand. On command, run 15 yards with the other back stripping the ball from the side. Switch to left hand coming back.

Coaching Points: Make sure your backs are running about 3/4 speed and the back stripping the ball is giving great effort to get the ball out. The RB with the ball should have proper technique leveraging the ball close to his body with no air between him and the ball.

B. Strip Drill-Over the Top: This drill is protecting the ball in the open field from defenders chasing from behind (usually defensive backs) (See Diagram 2).

Diagram 2: Strip Drill-Over the Top

Procedure: Align running backs behind each other (front RB with the ball in the right hand and the other back three yards behind). On command the back RB chases the front RB and tries to strip the ball coming over the top or underneath trying to punch the ball out. Then switch to the left hand coming back. Go about 15 yards when running this drill.

Coaching Points: The front RB sets the tempo running about 3/4 speed. He should try and feel the defender coming from behind and secure the ball to his body. Have the RB try to get the ball out by punching over the top and next time underneath.

C. PowerBlast: This is protecting the ball in short yardage and goal line situations (pictured).

Procedure: Align backs behind each other with a ball in their hand. There is no running start in this drill. Have them one yard from the PowerBlast and send them through on your command. After going through with the ball in their left and right arm, send them again with a ball in both hands. As soon as they come through the PowerBlast they must turn and go through it again.

Coaching Points: The ball must be leveraged to the body or the PowerBlast will knock it out. The RB should have a good body lean with knees bumping to the chest. For the second phase of the drill, make sure the RB turns and comes back through the PowerBlast as soon as he clears it. This is a great drill for a goal line finish.

Note: We use this drill for three different reasons:
1. Ball leverage.
2. Exchange.
3. Body lean.

D. Pitch Drill: To teach securing the football after a pitch with proper ball leverage (See Diagram 3).

Diagram 3: Pitch Drill

Procedure: Work speed option footwork and pitch relationship securing the football after the pitch (Use this drill during run timing with the QB).

Coaching points: Keep eyes on the ball with the ball caught in the hands and immediately secured in the sideline arm. Lock it away before you run. Dip your inside shoulder and get up field getting shoulders square so you can cut in both directions.

E. Sideline Drill: To develop proper fundamentals and techniques of running the football with emphasis on staying in bounds (See Diagram 4).

Diagram 4: Sideline Drill

Procedure: Position three defenders holding hand shields four yards apart and three yards from the sideline. Back takes toss and sprints to the sideline and cuts up field. He runs by three defenders who try to knock him out of bounds. Execute this drill to the left and right.

Coaching Points: Secure ball in sideline arm. Cover shoulder and explode into each defender with inside shoulder or forearm but be aggressive. Never run out of bounds unless you have to stop the clock.

Running Backs Coach Eddie Gran is completing his 10th season as a coach at Auburn. After having played at California Lutheran, Gran began his coaching career at his alma mater. He has also coached at Southeast Missouri State, East Carolina, Idaho State, Cincinnati, Miami and Mississippi.

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