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AFM Magazine


Tightening the Tight End

Rigorous drills are key to producing a reliable end
by: Gary Bernardi
Assistant Coach, UCLA
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Tight ends are deeply involved in the run game, the pass game, formations, and pass protection. We want our guys to be competent in all of these areas. A one-dimensional player is going to have a difficult time excelling on a full-time basis.

Football has changed tremendously in various areas. However, through the years, some basic fundamentals remain constant. Players must learn to play with a base, play with a knee bend, have sound footwork, and play with leverage, both vertically and horizontally. The tight ends must have the ability to catch the ball in traffic, beat man coverage, and earn the quarterback's confidence by proving he can make the difficult catch in criticial situations. He will move the chains for the offense and provide great ball security. In today's varied formations the tight end must understand pass protection. A tight end who turns a defender loose in the pass protection commits a cardinal sin. The tight ends cannot allow minus yardage or turnovers.

Just as important as the physical aspect of the game, it is vitally important to work and stress the mental part of the game. I want my tight ends to think about being tough, physical, and aggressive. I talk to them about it everyday. Our players must think of finishing every block through the whistle. When carrying the football, the defense must bring an army of defenders to tackle the tight ends. The tight ends must finish every reception like a back. They must never turn the ball over to the defense. Giving players mental training in meeting rooms is as important as drilling them physically on the practice field.

Never lose sight of the fundamentals - knee bends, footwork, leverage and toughness. Structure your practices so players learn what they need to know during the week to be successful on Saturday.

One small technique that we teach our tight ends is the ability to play from a right- and left-handed stance. Initially, the young players or incoming kids balk. But we teach them to change on the left and the right during the off-season and throughout spring practice. By the end of spring practice it becomes second nature. We find the benefits in the run game with man, combinations and zone schemes for the tight ends and tackles. In addition, there is some continuity in their releases off the LOS. The biggest advantage for the tight ends involves situations when he must pass protect. Most tights ends don't get enough pass protection technique and fundamental work. Mastering both left- and right-handed stances gives the tight end an increased opportunity for success, where failure can be disastrous.

Here's some examples of our drills:

Pre-practice we incorporate the duck walk and quarter eagles (Photos 1 and 2). During spring practice and on double days, these drills are done everyday. During the season they are only done once or twice a week. These quick, easy drills are used to emphasize knee bend and base. In the off-season, our players will assume the quarter position with their backs against a wall, with a sandbag or 25-pound weight on their thighs, holding for reps of 30 seconds.

During pre-practice we also use a footwork drill that we call "slow stutter" and "fast stutter" (Photo 3). Players align themselves in a sound football position, moving in a sideways direction with a slow step, slide movement for 10 yards. They are instructed to emphasize the knee bend, maintain a good base and keep their feet on the ground. After doing it at a slow pace, they are told to do it again, but move more rapidly. They are told to keep their feet spread apart and not to let their heels click together.

We work a board and chute progression through out the spring and on double days, every day. During the season we incorporate part of the progression one or two times a week.

We also have our players walk, and then run a 12-foot-long board. They also practice the two-step explosion or hitting and hold; the hands in holsters fit, punch and run the boards; the three-point stance, run the boards and finish, and the three-point stance, run the boards and escape. (We also offset our stance from the board and lead step with the left and right feet.)

In the "Hands in the Holsters" (Photo 4), players assume a fit position, with their hands by their sides, as if they were touching holsters. On command, the players punch with the heels of their hands to the lower baby ribs of their opponent. As the player punches, he accelerates and runs the defender down the board. The exercise emphasizes punch and sustaining leverage, horizontal and vertical, by requiring players to plant and move their feet quickly.

In the leverage drill (Photos 5 and 6), players align themselves right ear to right ear with their hands in holsters, and their body in a low, fit position. On command, both players attempt to punch their hands inside to establish quick, inside leverage. Their feet will start moving immediately and they will attempt to move the opponent down the board while trying to maintain their balance. This leverage drill is quick, lasting only about five seconds per rep. Players should rotate, and be able to get three to five short, quick, full speed reps. The emphasis is on the quick punch, establishing horizontal and vertical leverage while maintaining a base.

In another leverage drill (Photos 7 and 8), we put two 12-foot boards together and position players at one end of the 24-foot board. One player on offense is aligned in the fit position. On command, the offensive player will run the defender down the board at full speed. It's important that the defender gives resistance, but does not fight with the offensive player. The defenders's hands should hold the offensive player's elbows. Coach all defenders in all drills to give the best possible look. About three-quarters of the way down the board, tell the defenders to reverse the leverage onto the offensive man. By bending his knees, dipping and exploding back up with his eyes, punching his hands, and accelerating his feet, the leverage position will re-establish. This drill is a good aggressive competitive drill that should last for about 20 seconds. This leverage drill is also an excellent conditioner. Emphasize re-establishing leverage, punching with the hands, starting and accelerating the feet, base and competitiveness.






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