Advanced Secondary Drills

Over my coaching career, I’ve accumulated a number of effective secondary drills that can be used at any level. They include drills to improve hip rotation, change of acceleration, and leverage angles with receivers. I’ve included both points of emphasis and what is the projected result of each drill.

Diagram 1: Wave Drill

On visual cue, players will begin a slow pedal. On cue, players will open their hips 135 degrees and perform a crossover run in the direction of the coaches cue. Repeat this drill, changing direction.

Emphasis: Transitioning from a pedal to a crossover run, maintaining pad level throughout the drill.

Result: This drill gets players to transition from a pedal to opening their hips and perform a crossover run while maintaining good pad level.

Diagram 2: Hips Drill

On visual cue, the players will begin a slow backpedal. On cue, players will increase to a fast pedal and on cue players will flip their hips. On cue again, players will return to a fast pedal and repeat the opening of the hips once more in the opposite direction.

Emphasis: Proper technique in the backpedal and maintaining pad level throughout flipping the hips.

Result: Gets players to naturally transition from a pedal to opening of their hips while maintaining good pad level.

Diagram 3: Angles Drill

On visual cue, players will begin a slow to fast pedal. On cue, they will plant and drive on a specific angle. This drill can be finished by catching a ball or scooping up a fumble.

Emphasis: Strong emphasis on change of direction/momentum utilizing plant, directional, and acceleration steps.

Result: Gets players to concentrate on change of direction/momentum footwork.

Diagram 4: Weave Drill

On visual cue, players will begin a slow pedal, On cue, players will then begin to weave in one direction. On cue, again, the players resume a pedal and will repeat the weave in the direction of the coaches cue.

Emphasis: Proper technique in the backpedal and weave while maintaining proper pad level throughout the drill.

Result: Gets players to naturally transition from a pedal to weaving while maintaining leverage on a receiver.

Diagram 5: Tempo Pedal Drill

On visual cue, players will begin a slow pedal. On cue, players will increase to a fast pedal, and again, on cue, players will return to a slow pedal.

Emphasis: Proper technique in the backpedal with good pad level.

Result: Gets players to pedal through the 3-step and then break into a fast pedal to gain depth.

Diagram 6: Centerfield Turn Drill

On visual cue, players will begin a slow pedal. On cue, players execute wave drill. On cue again, players will baseball turn and find the football in the air.

Emphasis: Transitioning from a pedal to a cross over run into a baseball turn, getting their head and body around while maintaining pad level.

Result: Gets players to transition from two movements into a baseball turn and locate the ball.

About the Author: Tony Brinson enters his second season as defensive coordinator at Wagner College in 2012. He previously coached tight ends at Columbia University from 2008-2010. Brinson coached at his alma mater, the University of Rhode Island for four seasons, 2004-2008. He also coached at both Kean University and Bryant College.