AFM RSS Feed Follow Us on Twitter       
AMERICAN FOOTBALL MONTHLY THE #1 RESOURCE FOR FOOTBALL COACHES
ABOUT |  CONTACT |  ADVERTISE |  HELP  



   User Name    Password 
      Password Help





Article Categories


AFM Magazine

AFM Magazine


   - More Solutions to Problem #2

© More from this issue

Click for Printer Friendly Version          

Continued from:
32 Solutions for the 12 Biggest Problems You'll Face this Season

Problem 2: Your running back has ball control issues... if he’s prone to fumbling, how do you improve his ball security?

Ball security by all players is priority #1 in our offense and great care is given to ball security. We have a series of drills where the backs and receivers learn how to carry a ball the Roadrunner way. No exceptions are allowed and only our way is the correct way. For tougher cases we have a series of drills where a player is conditioned to cover up the ball and develop the strength to carry the ball. Three player pulls, cover and punch drill, and the Nebraska drill come to mind.

Keith Wheeler, Offensive Coordinator/QB Coach
Holbrook Roadrunners (AZ)


The solution:This will be a confidence issue if not corrected? The key to this is: either lack of focus, technique or quarterback-running Back mesh. I would have my running back coach review and document all fumbles through tape. Then a complete review of fundamentals, techniques and exchange. Second, I would film all ball security drills, QB-RB mesh and exchange.Third, continue to work in run drills as his confidence improves, until game situation and see results? If it still continues, then start again slowly and try to pinpoint the exact cause before any decesion is made.

Ron Price,Assistant Coach
Santa Rosa High School (CA)


As a spread option team ball security is a priority with us. Just as everyone else our players are taught the five pressure points and run through a variety of ball security drills. We always try to combine drills with ball security a part of our run skeleton. We use two cones as the backs go through run skel they have to keep the ball covered with both hands until they pass the LB level cone. Five yards past that cone the back executes an up/down while holding the ball before returning to the start of the drill. We also make our backs hand the ball to a coach or an official at the end of each play. We never lay the ball on the ground. The last part of ball security is when the ball does come loose. If one of our backs doesn't recover the fumble the group has extra sprints at the end. Our D-line takes great pride in making the backs run extra which in turn works on creating turnovers. We tell our backs to lose a play to a fumble but never lose the possession.

Randy Pinkowski, Head Football Coach
C.B. Aycock H.S. (NC)


There are several drills that we do that help our backs hang onto the football. But the bottom line is if a RB keeps fumbling the ball in practice, he is going to fumble in the game. We can't give him that opportunity. If a RB can't hold onto the football, he is not our running back anymore.

Bill Kennedy, Head Football Coach
Spring Valley HS (NY)


We constantly harp on the 6 points of pressure on the ball while keeping it high and tight. Whenever our players have the ball - drills, scrimmage play, or any other time--they must carry it with 6 points of pressure. We obviously do ball drills that work on this also. However, our main emphasis of ball security comes from any time they have their hands on it. I have them do “reminders" when they don't. My reminders are "up-downs.”

Sam Harp, Head Football Coach
Danville High School (KY)


I'm a firm believer in the theory “Perfect practice....makes perfect." Meaning that if my RB's are having problems with ball control we'll take extra time during practice to work on those issues. In the game of football the pigskin is the most important thing to take care of and as a coach you have got to make it a priority. If he doesn't make any improvement you may want to look to his back-up because though you may be losing a little bit of athleticism by placing him in the starting role, if he doesn't cough up the pigskin then he's already better than the previous RB. Turnovers kill drives, cause momentum changes, can lose football games. I have been using a new grip method made famous by Tiki Barber in the latter days of his career known as the "high tuck" that he used to help with his ball control issues and has been highly successful.

Jared Van Acker, Head Varsity Football Coach
Galax High School (VA)


If I have to play him, I don't allow him to fight at the end of runs. I teach him to get on the ground and protect the ball.

Bob DeLong, Offensive coordinator
Xenia high School (OH)


Most running backs seem to fumble more often when they allow the ball to move away from their body. Elbow lifting, as he moves through traffic, is common. There may be a problem with the RB's balance where he tends to use his arms in somewhat of a disjointed manner separate from his hips and legs. Balancing exercises can be helpful including walking a balance beam, if necessary. Teach the back to carry the ball high and tight ala Tiki Barber.

Larry Payne, Assistant Coach (retired)
North Bend H.S. (OR)


I work with him during the week on taking care of the ball. One thing I won't do is get in his ear and make him think about it at all times. I feel that will create too much pressure and he will fumble more. I also will not shorten up the string on him. If he makes a mistake I will preach to him that we need to move on and just keep playing. Hopefully, with drill work we will get rid of fumbling issues.

Zak Bessac, Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator
Warner Park HS, Madison, (WI)


We inculcate our running backs with the philosophy that we will not turn the ball over; if a running back turns it over, regardless of ability, he will not play. From day one, at every level of play, grades 7-12, our backs are taught, through a series of drills, the proper fundamentals of carrying the football. These drills are repeated daily. In addition, turnovers are monitered each and every practice; a point of constant emphasis. At the end of each practice and game we review the number of turnovers . Not fumbling is given the highest prority be each and every coach. Due to the constant emphasis on ball fundamentals we have been fortunate to have very few fumbles. The knowledge that you will not play if you exhibit poor fundamentals has been a very helpfull motivator for our backs and receivers.

Ron Stolski, Head Football Coach
Brainerd High School (MN)


We instituted a ball security rotation (drill from K-State) which has 3 stations with 3-4 minutes at each station for all skill players during the first part of fundamentals. Any athletes with specific issues have an extra session post practice - BUT we always ask our QB to stay and hand off or throw to him and to stay positive and encourage him in each drill.

Steve Hopkins, Head Football Coach
Basehor-Linwood H.S. (KS)


More practice time with drills, make corrections on how he holds the ball. And if all else fails, tell him that ball security is job security, his and mine.

Gerald Aubrey

Takeaway drills are a staple of our practice schedule. Preparing for transitions is critical, and most teams think of this as a defensive drill. We always wanted the defense to transition quickly, too, but we regard the takeaway drills as an opportunity for our offensive players to practice ball security and alertness. All our takeaway drills are live on both sides of the ball.

J. Gawen Stoker, former HFC
Indian Valley HS (PA)


Last season one of our RB's seemed to drop the ball more than he could hang onto it. And of course, it seemed like it always happened at the worst possible time. We tried the usual methods of extra ball drills in practice, carrying the ball around school, push-ups for each fumble, and finally, not saying anything in hopes that it would solve itself. Then, our player helped me figure it out himself. One day in practice he mentioned that he only fumbled when he carried the ball in his left arm, which I had not noticed. So I told him to always carry it in his right arm, even when running to the left and having the ball more exposed to the defense. We decided that it was better to hold onto the ball even if it was carried in the “wrong" arm then to carry it in the "right" arm and fumble it. For the rest of the season he did not fumble again. Just because it has always been done a certain way doesn't mean it can't be changed for the better.

Greg McMillan, Assistant coach
LaSalle HS


Pre-practice is used to enhance ball security using various ball security drills with extra attention paid during offensive practice. Have your players focus on stripping the ball during team time."

Harry G Bellucci, Head Football Coach
Hartford Public High School (CT)


First of all, scrutinize the way your player is holding the ball as well as how he is transitioning the ball as he runs. Also, take a look at whether or not he is giving or taking the hit when he is tackled. Running backs must learn to give the blow when a defender is on them and they must provide the impact rather that take the impact.

R. Scott Thompson, Head Football Coach
Montgomery Lonsdale JH (AL)


Old school solution.....carry the ball all day at practice. This means warm-up, water breaks, drills, conditioning. Kids get a kick out of it and it seems to help.

Allan Amrein, Head Coach
Kennedy Middle School, Hays (KS)


In solving the dreaded fumbling issue, I believe wholeheartedly in the slick ball sleeves that are available through numerous athletic suppliers. During drill work I've had the RB in question carry that ball exclusively to ensure that he become focused on securing the ball. I feel that ball security is an issue that occurs when the ball carrier becomes more cognitive of his movement, and decreases his awareness of ball control, positioning, or pressure. In using the ball sleeves the runner becomes more aware of these factors helping to lock those fundamentals into his locomotor schema.

T. Brandon Carpenter, Special Teams Coordinator / Linebacker Coach
Klein Forest High School – Houston (TX)

Repetition---make sure there are group drills and team work where the defense concentrates on trying to pop the ball loose. Prior to this we would review all the key points of carrying the football and then put the learning to work.

Jerry Parrish, retired head coach
North Kitsap High Schoo(WA)


We try to do more ball control drills in individual and group. Plus, I keep reminding him, in a positive way about proper technique and remaining focused. I try to let a player play through problems like this. If you pull the kid it may become a huge issue for him the rest of his career. The more relaxed and positive I am the more relaxed and positive he will be.

Thomas Taylor, Teacher/Football Coach
Weir High School (WV)


Move him to guard! Seriously we talk about ball control being a toughness issue. Tough guys don't fumble. Work on the ball handling in practice more than usual but don't make it a big deal or you will perpetuate the problem.

Fred Wieck, Head FB
Clear Lake High School (IA)


Wet ball drills, ball security drills, make him carry a football the whole time that he is at practice.

Bob Reeves, Offensive Line Coach
New Hope High School (MS)


We had this problem and we actually used the same method that the Giants used with Tiki Barber. That was to hold it high to the breastplate of the pads, and he had to condition with it and keep it with him during drills and sideline periods when he wasn't involved. We wanted him to go to two-hands in traffic, and actually attempted to improve his vision. We did this with out weekly tackling circuit and added a strip-the- ball circuit, and guess who had most of the touches?

Barton W. Miller, Offensive Coordinator
Trinity High School, Camp Hill (PA)

RB will hold a ball throughout practice. He must stay focused on holding on to the ball when doing other things like getting a drink and watching team time. He will get game like practice when he is involved. Assign three or four guys to give him a check when they want by taking a punch, swipe, or slap at the ball during practice. To prevent chaos, assign only a few “checkers" and limit the number of times they can take a shot at the ball during practice.

Ron Moore, Defensive Coordinator
Azle High School (TX)


All running backs should properly hold the ball throughout practice, even if they are passively watching a play or rep. Tell the backs that at random times a coach could attempt to jar the ball loose by poking or ripping at it. They should always hold the ball like they would if they were actively carrying it.

Anthony, Defensive Coordinator
Lawrence High School


We have tried everything you can think of. After 41 years in coaching I can only say that the most effective tool has been to sit down and explain to the player what can happen with a fumble. The extra yard he struggled for and got the ball popped out isn't very comparable to the opponent having possession of the ball and putting our defense back on the field. IF they still don't get the idea, then we tell them it's like carrying your momma's purse to the store and some guy is trying to steal it. Now do you want to tell your mom what happened to her purse?

Louis Farrar, Head Coach
Charter Oak High School (CA)


Integrate more ball control technique and drills into the practice plan. This should increase the runners confidence in his ball security. Furthermore, I will pull in the athlete and explain to him that ball control issues can be fixed, but you have got to want to fix it. It has to be the most important thing you do. One thing I try not to do is create a big deal in practice if a fumble occurs. It is my belief that when an athlete is running with the ball in the game and they start thinking about not fumbling, they are more likely to fumble.

Andrew Cotter, Head Football Coach
Moreau Catholic High School (CA)


We return our young backs to the basics of ball handling techniques and make an emphasis on it through individual meetings and pre-practice work. I learned the great “5 points of pressure" coaching point on ball security from Lloyd Carr's staff at Michigan and it’s something we continue to stress and teach to our ball carriers. The "5 Points of Pressure" are re-emphasized and communicated to the athlete who is struggling with ball security."

Joe Davis, Associate Head Coach/OC
North Park University (IL)


Every Monday our backs utilize the Gauntlet (by Gilman Gear). We utilize a series of drills in which RBs run through the Gauntlet and then through a human gauntlet of other RBs or hit and spin off of a series of hand shields.

Joe Bosley III, Assistant Football Coach
Hereford High School (TX)


We will work on various ball handling drills as well as having him develop a mental attitude regarding ball security. We use Gilman Slipskins also in our ball handling drills.

Ed Sadloch, Head Football Coach
Cedar Grove High School (NJ)


Two thoughts - 1) we've required all skill players during conditioning to carry a ball to reinforce ball security technique, and 2) we do two post-practice drills that reinforce ball security. One is the traditional gauntlet with RB's running through a tunnel of other RB's with hand-shields. The other is a gauntlet run down a sideline with the other RB's with hand-shields staggered to the right and left of the sideline about five yards apart. The post-practice drills are competitive, intense, and short in duration - no more than 7 minutes.

Thomas A. McDaniels, Head Football Coach
Massillon Jackson H.S. (OH)


We have never had big issues with ball control because it is a fundamental we stress right from the start of pre-season. In all of our running back drills we try to incorporate a defender trying to strip the ball or the back getting hit. Another thing we use is our ball taped with rope and we will have a coach or player pull on it as the back runs up field. The last thing we do is make sure that our skill position players all run with the ball high and tight, using the chest to lock it into place.

Danny Gouin, Head Football Coach
King


We would continue to coach the running back up by having him carry a ball at all times (when possible) during practice/drills. Also, have him do extra work with our gauntlet drill and insist on him carrying the ball with both hands more often (particularly through the line and on contact). As coaches, we would use positive reinforcement to encourage the RB to focus on this problem.

John R. Mackay, Director of Athletics/HF Coach
St. Georges School (RI)


1. Show him how to carry the ball; 2. Two hands on the ball for the first 5 yards; 10 yards if it is wet or raining; 3. Run him through gauntlett drill with other players trying to strip the ball.

Robert J. Sayfie, Coach
IHM (7 - 8 grade)


In my opinion, you are what you emphasize. If you stress ball handling, you will likely get ball handling. We focus on high and tight ball placement (the Tiki Barber method), we don't switch hands, and we use our off-hand as a weapon. Before each game as we finish our backs warm up I say two things: 1. Protect the football at all times. 2. Be “Red Zone Runners" every play. That is it. The rest of being a runningback is feel and determination.

Sam Nichols, Head Coach
South Haven High School (MI)







NEW BOOK!

AFM Videos Streaming Memberships Now Available Digital Download - 304 Pages of Football Forms for the Winning Coach



















HOME
MAGAZINE
SUBSCRIBE ONLINE COLUMNISTS COACHING VIDEOS


Copyright 2024, AmericanFootballMonthly.com
All Rights Reserved